Tot Socks-Take 5

It feels like autumn.   Let's get some tot socks ready for the little guy!     Marilynn Blacketer '16

The Tot Socks-Take 5 work well in a superwash wool blend. The Take 5 ribbing is fun work, 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:

Waddler (age 1): leg height cuff to heel 4”, foot length heel to toe 4”, foot circumference 4” flat, stretch 6”

Toddler (age 2): leg height cuff to heel 5”, foot length heel to toe 5”, foot circumference 5” flat, stretch 7”

Tot (age 3): leg height cuff to heel 6”, foot length heel to toe 6”, foot circumference 5” flat, stretch 7”

Gauge:

Waddler: US#1(2.25mm) needles: 9 stitches = 1”

Toddler, Tot: US#2.5(3mm) needles: 8 stitches = 1”

Adjust needle size, and row count to match gauge.

Materials:

Yarn: MC superwash wool blend in fingering weight, CC cotton/elastic blend,

or CC superwash wool blend in fingering weight, and 3 yards of waste yarn in a different color

Photo: size Toddler;  KnitPicks Stroll, Blue Yonder Tonal; 75%Superwash Merino Wool/ 25%Nylon;

CascadeYarns, Fixation; 98.3%Cotton/ 1.7%Elastic; Pair of socks used 25 grams of yarn.

Needles: Size US#1(2.25mm), 16”and 24” circular needles, or size US#1 set double pointed needles

Size US#2.5(3mm), 16”and 24” circular needles, or size US#2.5 set double pointed needles

Notions:  tapestry needle, stitch markers, spare US#1 double pointed needles

Resources: Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles by Cat Bordhi

                    KNITTING circles around SOCKS by Antje Gillingham

                    Learn to Knit SOCKS by Edie Eckman

Abbreviations: CO=cast on      k = knit      p= purl      k2tog=knit 2 stitches together      Rnd/s=round/s       sts=stitches      yo=yarn over      MC = main color      CC= contrasting color

Special Stitches: Take 5 Ribbing

Rnds 1-4: with MC, * Knit 3, purl 2; repeat from * to end

Rnd 5: with CC, * Knit 3, purl 2; repeat from * to end

Directions: The directions are written for size (waddler, toddler, tot) in parentheses and working with 2 circular needles. (notes are in italic) Make 2 socks.

Plain Cuff: Use the long-tail cast-on method, with spare US#1 needle and size US(#1, #2.5, #2.5) needles held together, with MC, cast on 60 stitches. Carefully slide off the spare needle.

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

With MC, * K1, k2tog; repeat from * to end.           40sts

(not in photo)

 Ruffle: Use the long-tail cast-on method, with spare US#1 needle and size US(#1, #2.5, #2.5) needles held together, with MC, cast on 80 stitches. Carefully slide off the spare needle.

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

Rnds 1-4: with MC, Knit

Rnd 5: with MC, K2tog to end.                                  40sts

Eyelet Ruffle: Use the long-tail cast-on method, with spare US#1 needle and size US(#1, #2.5, #2.5) needles held together, with MC, cast on 81 stitches. (Save 9” tail to sew ruffle together as you finish the sock.)

Row 1: with MC, Knit (You'll be working back and forth.)

Row 2: with MC, K1, * yo, k2tog; repeat from * to end

Row 3: with MC, Knit

Row 4: with MC, Knit to last two stitches, k2tog                    80sts

Rnd 5: with MC, Place marker & join together by k2tog, being careful not to twist, k2tog to end.                                                                                          40sts

Sock Leg: (20sts per two needles)

Rnds 1-4: with MC, * K3, p2; repeat from * to end

Rnd 5: with CC, * K3, p2; repeat from * to end

Repeat rnds 1-5, working leg to the desired length, ending on rnd 5, set up for heel and foot. (2.5”, 3”, 4”) from CO for desired height

Instep and Heel set up:

Rnds 1, 2: with MC as established, [K3,p2](3)times, k3 (18sts instep, slip last 2sts to back needle), knit 22 (heel)

Rnd 3: with MC as established, [K3,p2](3)times, k3; instep stitches.

Drop MC yarn, and with a strand of different colored yarn knit across heel 22 stitches.

(If working with US#1, purl back with colored yarn, just to provide more space later)

Drop colored strand, pick up MC, and knit across heel 22 stitches once more.

After this, work instep as established, and knit sole; the heel will be put in later.

Instep and Sole:

Work instep as established, and knit sole until sock measures from heel (colored yarn) marker, ending on rnd 5, (2”, 2.5”, 3.5”) for desired length. Cut CC.

Toe:

Rnd 1 & odd rounds: with MC, * K1, k2tog, knit to the last 3 stitches on needle, k2tog, k1;(instep)

repeat from * to end(sole) (4sts decreased)

Rnd 2 & even rounds: with MC, knit

Continue to work Rnds 1&2 until 8sts remain for instep, and 12sts remain for sole.

Work 2 more rounds: K8(instep), k1, k2tog, knit to last 3 stitches on needle, k2tog, k1(sole)

With 16 stitches remaining(8sts per needle), cut 18” yarn, and work Kitchener Stitch to finish the toe.

Heel:

Carefully slide the 22sts below(sole), and 22sts above the colored yarn(leg) to needles. Carefully remove the colored yarn.

Attach MC yarn, knit a round, and pick up one stitch at the beginning and end of the needles. (You'll have 24sts on each needle, and this will help avoid “holes” on the heel sides.)

Now work the heel the same as the toe.

Rnd 1 & odd rounds: with MC, * K1, k2tog, knit to the last 3 stitches on needle, k2tog, k1;

repeat from * to end (4 sts decreased)

Rnd 2 & even rounds: with MC, knit

Continue to work Rnds 1&2 until 16 (8sts per needle) stitches remain.

Cut 18”yarn, and work Kitchener Stitch to finish the heel.

Finishing: Weave in tails. Make second sock.

This pattern is available on marilynnsgardenknitdesign.blogspot.com.
Jr. Socks-Take 5 pattern pdf available on Ravelry.com (login needed)

Copyright 2016, Marilynn Blacketer. All rights reserved. 9-18-16

For pattern support please contact: marilynnblacketer@gmail.com

Here are photos of the process:

I gathered supplies.  These socks were knitted with stash yarn.

I've worked the socks through the leg and other colored yarn.  The sock to the left, I dropped MC yarn, and with a strand of different colored yarn I knitted across heel 22 stitches.  The sock to the right, I knitted across and purled back with the colored yarn, just to provide more space later.  

I often work the toes of both socks on two needles.  These socks were ready for Kitchner Stitch.  My mantra: front needle, "Knit off, purl"; back needle, "Purl off, knit"

I used size US#1 needles to pick up the stitches for the heel.  It was fun to just pull and unravel the colored yarn from the sock in which I had  purled back with the colored yarn.

I knitted the heels on size US#2.5 needles setting the work to gauge.  It was time again for Kitchner Stitch!

These Tot Socks-Take 5 were knitted with US#2.5(3mm)needles.

The waddler socks were knitted with size US#1(2.25mm) needles.  The toddler socks, US#2.5(3mm)needles.

The tot socks were knitted with size US#2.5(3mm)needles.

This pattern is available on marilynnsgardenknitdesign.blogspot.com.

Copyright 2016, Marilynn Blacketer. All rights reserved. 9-18-16

For pattern support please contact: marilynnblacketer@gmail.com