Quick Knit Socks - Free Pattern

Stash, Quick Knit Socks


This sock pattern was developed when I found myself with too many single or three-quarter balls of excellent self pattern sock yarn, and a list of people who needed socks for Christmas. It involves using 2 strands held together and changing one of the strands (if necessary) over the heel and toe.

SIZE
Ladies size 7-10 (one size, quite stretchy)


MATERIALS
[MC] baby weight, sock weight yarn solid color(I used Baby Cashmerino – Debbie Bliss, for the rose ones, and Rowan Cashsoft 4 ply for the brown ones)
[CC] Any leftover self pattern sock yarn. One 50 gram ball for the rose socks, and approx 40 gm stripe , with leftover black-solid for the heel and toe of the brown.

1 set 4.0 mm (US 6) double-point needles


GAUGE
22 sts/27 rows = 4" in three by one rib pattern

PATTERN NOTES
All work is done with one strand of solid yarn and one strand of pattern yarn held together. Rib pattern is K3, P1 repeat around. After the heel it is maintained on the top half of foot only, stocking stitch is used for the bottom of the foot.
Pay attention to color pattern of starting point, so you can match the start of the second sock.


PATTERN

With one strand of solid yarn and one strand of pattern yarn, cast on 44 stitches.
Join (without twisting) and begin upper rib, K2, P2 around until one inch is completed.
Change to K3, P1 around and continue to work until sock measures 6 inches.

At this point, change to alternate heel yarn (only the patterned yarn should be broken off, and replaced with heel yarn) this is useful if you really have only small scraps of pattern yarn, and after the heel you could opt for an entirely different pattern yarn for the foot. The solid yarn will lend a consistency to the look of the sock.

Heel: Rib across 11 sts. Place next 11 on one needle and next 11 on another needle, slide remaining 11 on the needle with the first 11. (22 sts on the “heel” needle)
Working back and forth, continue in stocking stitch, slipping the first stitch of each row. Work 20 rows like this. End with right side facing.
Turn heel:
Knit 13, K2together, K1 turn work
Slip first stitch, P5, P2together, P1, turn work
Slip first stitch, K across to before slipped stitch, K2together, K1 turn.
Slip first stitch, P across to before slipped stitch, P2together, P1 turn.
Repeat last 2 rows until all are worked.

Right side facing: Knit to middle of heel. At this time place all the set aside rib stitches (top of foot) on one needle (these will remain in rib – 22 sts).
Using free needle, K remaining half of heel, then pick up 10 stitches down the side of heel. (Now you can change from the heel yarn back to pattern yarn)
Work rib across the top of foot (22 sts), then pick up 10 stitches up the other side of the heel and finish the last stitches to the center of the heel.

Decreasing the heel: Every 2nd row, work down the heel to the last 3 stitches before the rib pattern, K2 together, K1. Work across the rib top of foot. K1, K2 together, Knit remaining to bottom of heel.
Alternate non-increase round with decrease round until there are again 44 stitches on needles (11, 22, 11).

Work without increase , maintaining the rib on top of foot, and stocking stitch on under foot, until approx. 6 inches from heel or 2 inches short of length of foot.
(change one yarn to toe yarn if using different colors)
Stop using rib pattern, K around one row. Start of row is center of under foot (between the 11 stitch needles)
Decrease row: K to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1. Next needle: K1 K2tog, k to last 3, K2tog, K1. Last needle: K1, K2tog, K across.

Alternate K row and decrease row until 12 stitches remain (total of all 3 needles)
Weave remaining stitches together.