Taking inspiration
from the mission and guidelines of Wool-Aid, the Woolie Socks are
designed to create a warm woolen pair of socks for a child who lives
in the coldest climate and has the least access to resources. The
Woolie Socks are worked with worsted weight wool yarn held with a
fingering superwash wool blend. The socks are worked with a K1 x P1
cuff, and K3 x P1 leg and instep. These socks utilize an
after-thought heel. The pattern is written with modifications for
three sizes. This may be considered an intermediate level pattern
because knowledge of sock and stitch construction are helpful.Finished size: foot length 10”[9”, 8”]
Gauge: 5 stitches, 6 rows = 1” Adjust needle size, and row count to match gauge.
Materials: Yarn: 100% wool in worsted weight, held with superwash wool blend in fingering weight, and 3 yards worsted waste yarn for set up after-thought heel
Photo: Wool of the Andes Worsted by Knit Picks, 2 skeins 100%Wool; 2x 110 yards / 50grams = 220yards/100grams, color 25983 Peapod; Stroll Fingering by Knit Picks; 75% Wool, 25% Nylon; 462yards / 100 grams; color: bare hand-dyed with 3 PAAS Classic Egg Decorating Kits
Needles: Size US#8(5mm), 12”, or 16”and 24” circular needles or size US#8 set double pointed needles to Cast On.
Size US#7(4.5mm), 16”and 24” circular needles or size US#7 set double pointed needles
(and smaller set double pointed needles to pick up stitches for after-thought heel)
Notions: tapestry needle, stitch markers
Resources: Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles, by Cat Bordhi;
Wool-Aid: Zannie’s general recipe for worsted + sock on size 7 needles:
https://www.ravelry.com/groups/wool-aid/pages/SOCKS-6
Abbreviations: CO= cast on K = knit p=purl k2tog=knit 2 stitches together
MC=main color N=needle Rnd/s=round/s st/s=stitch/es
Directions: The directions are written for size teen,[child, small child in brackets], and working with 2 circular needles. (notes are in italic) Make 2 socks.
With US#8(5mm) needles, use the long-tail cast-on method to cast on 40[36, 32]stitches.
Place marker & join together by knitting first stitch being careful not to twist.
Cuff Rnds 1- 14[12, 10]:With US#7(4.5mm) needles * K1, p1; repeat to end (2.5”[2.25”, 2”])
Leg Rnds: * K3, p1 repeat to end.
with 20[-,16] sts per needle, * K3, p1; repeat to end.
with [18sts per needle] N1: * K3, p1; repeat to last 2sts, k2. N2: k1,p1, * k3, p1; repeat to end
Work K3, p1 rib for leg 8”[7”,7”] from CO for desired height.
With 20[-, 16sts] per needle, work front/instep N1 as established: * K3, p1; repeat to last st, do not knit last stitch, slip last stitch to back needle. (Now, 19, 21sts per needle [-, 15, 17sts per needle]
With [18sts per needle] Knit and move the first stitch to the back needle, work front/instep
N1: K2, p1 * K3, p1; repeat to last 2sts, k2. [Now, 17, 19sts per needle]
Heel set up: N2: Drop MCyarn, and with a strand of different colored yarn knit across heel 21[19, 17] stitches. Turn, and with the strand of different colored yarn purl back across heel to end/beginning of needle. Drop colored strand, pick up MC, and knit across heel 21[19, 1 7] stitches once more. After this, work instep as currently 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 6”[5”, 5”] for desired length.
Toe: Rnd 1 & odd rounds: (instep) * K1, k2tog, knit to the last 3 stitches on needle, k2tog, k1; repeat from * to end(sole) (4sts decreased)
Rnd 2 & even rounds: Knit
Continue until 9[7,7]sts remain for instep, and 11[9,9]sts remain for sole.
This last Rnd 2: (instep) Knit 9[7,7]sts, (sole) K2tog, knit to last 2sts, k2tog
With 18[14, 14] stitches remaining, cut 18” yarn, and work Kitchener Stitch to finish the toe.
Heel:
Carefully slide the 21[19, 17]sts below(sole), and 21[19, 17]sts above the colored yarn(leg) to needles.
Carefully remove the colored yarn.
Attach MC yarn, pick up one stitch at the beginning of needle, as you knit a round, pick up one stitch at
the end of the needles. (46sts = 23sts per needle, and this will help avoid “holes” on the heel sides.)
[42sts = 21sts per needle, and this will help avoid “holes” on the heel sides.]
[38sts = 19sts per needle, and this will help avoid “holes” on the heel sides.]
Now, work the heel the same as the toe.
Rnd 1 & odd rounds: * K1, k2tog, knit to the last 3 stitches on needle, k2tog, k1;
repeat from * to end (4 sts decreased)
Rnd 2 & even rounds: Knit
Continue until 9[7,7]sts remain for leg, and 9[7,7]sts remain for sole.
With 18[14,14] stitches remaining, cut 18” yarn, and work Kitchener Stitch to finish the heel.
Finishing: Weave in tails. Make second sock.
Woolie Socks pattern pdf is available on Ravelry.
Copyright 2020, Marilynn Blacketer. All rights reserved. 9/1/20
For pattern support please contact: marilynnblacketer@gmail.com
