Marilynn'sGardenKnitDesign: March 2014

Wool socks, and a stocking hat? Yes, this is the first day of Spring, but I live on the West Coast of Oregon, with damp spring temperatures around 40. I'm wearing a pair of wool socks as I walk to the beach to take the photos. This is the time of year to knit yourself something warm for spring, or plan ahead for next fall!

Taking inspiration from the West Coast Wave ('13) projects('14), I decided to knit a pair of socks. With beautiful blue yarn, I started the socks at the cuff. I used an interpretation of the afterthought-heel because I wanted to continue working the lace through the insteps. Then I worked the heels after the toes of the socks were finished. I completed the socks with a "star toe" and "star heel" which has a set of decreases similar to the top of a hat. I'm often telling my friends that knitting a sock is really just like knitting a long hat with a heel. I've included that companion pattern.

West Coast Wave Stocking Hat

Marilynn Blacketer '14

West Coast Wave Stocking Hat in size medium.

The West Coast Wave Stocking Hat works well in a superwash wool blend.

The wave has a fun lace pattern, and the stocking hat can be knit in just a few days making it the perfect gift or accessory.

Finished size: Adult: brim 14”(16”, 18”)flat, stretch 22”(24”, 26”)circumference,

height 10”(10”, 11”)

Gauge: smaller needles: 5 stitches = 1”, larger: 4.5stitches = 1”

Adjust needle size, and row count to match gauge.

Materials: Yarn: Wool blend in worsted weight; 200 yards /100g

Photo: West Coast Wave Stocking Hat is knit in Knit Picks, Swish, Pacific Tonal;

100% Superwash Merino Wool; 220yards/100g (I believe Swish Tonal has been discontinued.)

Needles: Size US#7, size US#8, 16”circular needles, and set size US#8 double pointed needles

Notions: stitch markers, tapestry needle

Abbreviations: CO=cast on k = knit p= purl k2tog=knit 2 together pm=place marker Rnd/s=round/s sts=stitches yo2= yarn over twice, drop the second yo in the next round

Special Stitches: Wave, 12 sts and 4 rnds make the West Coast Wave

Rnd 1: Knit (dropping second yarn overs as you knit)

Rnds 2, 3: Knit

Rnd 4: *(K2tog)4times, (yo2, k1)4times; repeat from * to end

Directions are written for the adult hat small (medium, large hat stitch count in parentheses)

Notes are written in italic.

Directions:

Use the long-tail cast-on method, with size US#7, 16” circular needles. Cast on 72(84,96)stitches.

Place marker & join together by knitting first stitch being careful not to twist.

Rib Rnds 1- 10: *Knit 2, purl 2; repeat from * to end

Rnd 11: Knit, changing to size US#8, 16” circular needles.

Rnd 12: Follow round 4 of wave pattern one time, place markers after 12 stitches.

*(K2tog)4times, (yo2,k1)4times, pm; repeat from * to end

Hat:

Rnds 1-3: Knit

Rnd 4: *(K2tog)4times, (yo2, k1)4times; repeat from * to end

Continue working wave pattern rounds 1-4 to desired height, 8”(8”, 9”) from CO

Set up for crown decreases.

Crown Decreases:

Change to double pointed needles when needed.

Rnd 1: * Knit 10, k2tog; repeat from * to end

Rnds 2, 4, 6, 8, 10: Knit

Rnd 3: * Knit 9, k2tog; repeat from * to end

Rnd 5: * Knit 8, k2tog; repeat from * to end

Rnd 7: * Knit 7, k2tog; repeat from * to end

Rnd 9: * Knit 6, k2tog; repeat from * to end

Rnd 11: * Knit 5, k2tog; repeat from * to end

Rnd 12: * Knit 4, k2tog; repeat from * to end

Rnd 13: * Knit 3, k2tog; repeat from * to end

Rnd 14: * Knit 2, k2tog; repeat from * to end

Rnd 15: * Knit 1, k2tog; repeat from * to end

Rnd 16: * K2tog; repeat from * to end

Finishing: Cut 12” yarn and thread end through remaining 6(7,8) stitches.

Pull together, and tie off neatly.

This pattern is available on marilynnsgardenknitdesign.blogspot.com.
Pattern pdf available on Ravelry.com (login needed)

For pattern support please contact: marilynnblacketer@gmail.com

Here are a few photos of the process:

The hank of yarn arrived. I wound it into a ball. I started with size US #7 needles for the ribbing, and moved to size US#8 needles for the body of the hat.

I worked the ribbing and the wave pattern for the hat to the desired height. Even though the pattern had the stitch count, I continued working with the green (beginning round marker) and purple markers as I started the decrease rounds. The stitch markers noted the sequence just as they did for the wave. I also marked the pattern noting the rounds completed.

I moved to double pointed needles, and continued to use many of the stitch markers. (The ends of the needles act as markers/ breaks in a sequence.)


As I neared the top, I removed the markers for the last round of "K2tog". I'm sorry that I didn't take a photo of the tapestry needle, and cutting 12" of yarn to thread through the remaining stitches.

The stitches were pulled together, and tied off neatly. The West Coast Wave Stocking Hat is finished.

West Coast Wave Socks

Marilynn Blacketer '14

West Coast Wave Socks in size medium.

The West Coast Wave Socks work well in a superwash wool blend.

The wave has a fun lace pattern, and the socks can be knit in just a few days making them the perfect gift or accessory. This may be considered an intermediate level pattern because knowledge of sock (and stitch) construction is helpful.

Finished size: 7”(8”, 9”) flat, stretch 10”(11”,12”)circumference, leg height 10”(11”,11”)

Gauge: 7 stitches = 1” Adjust needle size, and row count to match gauge.

Materials: Yarn: superwash wool blend in fingering weight, 400yard/ 100grams;

and 2 yards of waste yarn in a different color

Photo: Knit Picks Stroll, Pacific Tonal; 75%Superwash Merino Wool/ 25%Nylon; 462yards/100g
Needles: Size US#2 and US#3, 16”and 24” circular needles
and/or size US#2 and US#3 set double pointed needles

I prefer to knit both socks at the same time on two circular needles. KNITTING circles around SOCKS by Antje Gillingham is an excellent resource for getting started.

Notions: tapestry needle, stitch markers

Abbreviations: CO=cast on k = knit p= purl k2tog=knit 2 stitches together

pm=place marker Rnd/s=round/s sts=stitches x1=1time x2= 2times x3=3times

yo2= yarn over twice, drop the second yo in the next round

Special Stitches: Wave 4 rounds and 12 stitches make the West Coast Wave

Rnd 1: Knit dropping second yarn overs as you knit

Rnds 2, 3: Knit

Rnd 4: *(K2tog)4times, (yo2, k1)4times; repeat from * to end

Directions are written for adult size small (medium, large) in parentheses,
and working with 2 circular needles. Notes are written in italic. Make two socks.

Directions:

Use the long-tail cast-on method, with two size #2 needles. Cast on 96 (120, 144) stitches.

Place marker & join together by knitting first stitch being careful not to twist.

Cuff:
Rnd 1: Knit

Rnd 2: *K2tog; repeat from *to end 48 (60, 72)sts

Rnds 3-14: *Knit 2, purl 2; repeat from * to end

Rnd 15: Knit, changing to size US#3 needles 24 (24&36, 36) stitches per needle

Rnd 16: Follow round 4 of pattern one time, place markers after 12 stitches.

*(K2tog)4times, (yo2, k1)4times, pm; repeat from * to end

Sock Leg:

Rnds 1-3: Knit

Rnd 4: *(K2tog)4times, (yo2, k1)4times; repeat from * to end

Repeat rounds 1-4, working leg to desired length, ending on round 2. 8” (9”, 9”) from CO.

Set up for heel and foot.

Instep and Heel set up:

Knit 24 (24, 36) instep stitches, drop blue yarn, and with a strand of different colored yarn knit across heel 24 (36,36) stitches. Drop colored strand, pick up blue, and knit across heel 24 (36, 36) stitches once more. After this work instep and knit sole; the heel will be put in later.

Worked with stockinette instep.

I suggest knitting stockinette stitch for the instep and sole because the wave pattern swirls, and it may be more comfortable to have a plain sock inside your shoe. Knit the instep and sole until sock measures from heel marker: 5” (6”, 7”), then work the toe. That being said, the directions follow to create a wave surging into the instep. Have fun!

Wave Instep and Sole:

Follow round 4 of wave pattern for instep, knit sole.

[(K2tog)4times, (yo2, k1)4times] x2(x2, x3), knit to end

Rnds1-3, 5-7: Knit

Rnds 4, 8: [(K2tog)4times, (yo2, k1)4times] x2(x2, x3), knit to end

Rnds 9-11, 13-15, 17-19: Knit

Rnds 12, 16, 20: [(K2tog)4times,(yo2, k1)4times]x1(x1, x2), (k2tog)twice, (yo2,k1)twice, knit to end

Rnds 21-23, 25-27, 29-31: Knit

Rnds 24, 28, 32: [(K2tog)4times, (yo2, k1)4times]x1(x1,x2), knit to end

Small, medium: Knit instep and sole until sock measures from colored yarn heel marker: 5” (6”, 7”)

Large Rnds: 33-35, 37-39, 41-43: Knit

Large Rnds 36, 40, 44: (K2tog)4times, (yo2, k1)4times, (k2tog)twice, (yo2,k1)twice, knit to end

Large Rnds 45-47, 49-51, 53-55: Knit

Large Rnds 48, 52, 56: (K2tog)4times, (yo2, k1)4times, knit to end

Continue to knit instep and sole until sock measures from colored yarn heel maker: 5” (6”, 7”)

Toe:

Rnd 1: * Knit 10, k2tog; repeat from * to end

Rnds 2, 4, 6, 8, 10: Knit

Rnd 3: * Knit 9, k2tog; repeat from * to end

Rnd 5: * Knit 8, k2tog; repeat from * to end

Rnd 7: * Knit 7, k2tog; repeat from * to end

Rnd 9: * Knit 6, k2tog; repeat from * to end

Rnd 11: * Knit 5, k2tog; repeat from * to end

Rnd 12: * Knit 4, k2tog; repeat from * to end

Rnd 13: * Knit 3, k2tog; repeat from * to end

Rnd 14: * Knit 2, k2tog; repeat from * to end

Rnd 15: * Knit 1, k2tog; repeat from * to end

Rnd 16: * K2tog; repeat from * to end

Cut 12” yarn, and thread end through remaining 4 (5, 6) stitches. Pull together, and tie off neatly.

Heel:

Carefully slide the 24 (36, 36)sts below(sole) and 24 (36, 36)sts above the colored yarn(leg) to needles. Carefully remove the colored yarn.

Attach blue yarn, knit the first round, and pick up one stitch at the beginning and end of the needles. You'll have 26 (38, 38)sts on each needle, and this will help avoid “holes” on the heel sides.

Work a round as follows: *K2tog, knit to the last 2 stitches on needle , k2tog; repeat from * to end

Knit another round.

Now work the heel the same as the toe. Rnds 1-16. . . and tie off neatly.

Finishing: Weave in tails. Make second sock.

This pattern is available on marilynnsgardenknitdesign.blogspot.com.
Pattern pdf available on Ravelry.com (login needed)

For pattern support please contact: marilynnblacketer@gmail.com

Here are a few photos of the process:

Another hank of yarn arrived. I wound the hank of yarn into two balls.

I started with size US #2 needles for the ribbing, and moved to size US#3 needles for the leg of the socks.

I worked the leg of the socks, and set up for the foot and heel. I removed some of the stitch markers because I wouldn't be working the pattern, I'd just be knitting the soles. (oops, I needed to remove 2 more)

I worked the instep, sole, and toe decreases on the circular needles, right up to "k2tog". I worked that round onto a couple double pointed needles. This made it easier for the next step: Cut 12" yarn, and thread end through remaining 4(5,6) stitches. Pull together, and tie off neatly.

It was time to carefully slide the heel stitches onto needles, and cut the pink yarn. I use size US#1 needles to slide the stitches. You can always use a smaller needle to pick up stitches, the gauge is set by working the stitches onto the right hand needle.

I was very careful, but missed (picked up both legs) of two stitches on one heel. I knew the stitch count, found the dropped stitches, fixed that problem by picking them up with a crochet hook, and slipping them onto the needle. Then I knitted the work to gauge on the size US#3 needles in the first round.

I worked the heel decreases on the circular needles, right up to "k2tog". I worked that round onto a couple double pointed needles. This made it easier for the next step: Cut 12” yarn, and thread end through remaining 4 (5, 6) stitches. Pull together, and tie off neatly.

The West Coast Wave Socks are finished. The pair to the left, was worked as size small (48sts), in Knit Picks, Lullaby. The set to the right, was worked as size medium (60sts) in Knit Picks, Pacific.

It was time to walk to the beach for photos.

This pattern is available on marilynnsgardenknitdesign.blogspot.com.
Pattern pdf is available on Ravelry.com (login needed)

For pattern support please contact: marilynnblacketer@gmail.com

Marilynn'sGardenKnitDesign

Thursday, March 20, 2014

West Coast Wave Socks & Stocking Hat

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