Monday, December 22, 2008

Hip-Wading Socks

Ok, here are my future son-in-law's socks that he declared would work well when he wore his hip-waders. I had one problem with making them, and they extended about 2" beyond his foot. So I corrected the pattern so no one else would have this problem. I will have a picture soon of what these socks look like. (see bottom of post for an update on this pattern.)

Hip-wader Socks

SIZE
One Size fits Most
MATERIALS
Red Heart Super Saver
1 Skein each of Royal Blue (MC) and White (CC) or colors of your choice
Size 13 set of double-pointed needles (dpns)(might be handy to have 5 dpns on hand for the heel work)
Stitch markers (optional-- I never used them in making these socks)
Tapestry needle
STITCH EXPLANATION
ssk (slip, slip, knit) Slip next 2 sts as if to knit, one at a time, to right needle; insert left
needle into fronts of these 2 sts and k them tog.
SOCKS
With MC and dpns, using 2 strands held tog, cast on 24 sts; divide sts evenly on 3 dpns (or 8 sts per needle). Join, taking care not to twist sts. Place marker or piece of yarn at beg of rnd (or use the end of yarn from casting on to mark the beginning). Work in (k 1, p 1) rib for 5 rnds. Then knit straight for 18 rounds.
Heel flap (work back and forth)
Turn to WS, Drop MC (do not cut it) and Attach CC, p 12 sts; turn to RS and k 12 sts. (Note Instep sts not being worked can be kept on one dpn.) Rep last 2 rows 3 more times. Turn to WS and p 12 sts.
Heel turning:
Turn to (RS) 6, k2tog, k 1. Turn.
(WS) P 2, p2tog, p 1. Turn.
K 3, k2tog, k 1.
Turn.
P 4, p2tog, p 1. Turn.
K 5, k2tog. Turn. (WS) P 5, p2tog. Turn.
K 6 heel sts. Cut CC and attach MC at this point.
Return now to working in the round, arranging stitches as follows: With dpn #1, pick up
and k 10 sts up side of heel flap; with dpn #2, k 12 instep sts; with dpn #3, pick up and k 10 sts along side of heel flap; k across 3 sts of dpn #1 --38 sts.
Heel gusset
Dec rnd Place marker, on dpn #1, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k 1; on dpn #2, k across instep sts; on dpn #3, k 1, ssk, k to end of needle. Rep this dec rnd 2 times. K 1 rnd. Rep dec rnd. Rep these last 2 rnds 3 more times (7 dec rnds and 24 sts rem). K every rnd even until Sock is about 2" from desired length to toe measured from bottom of heel flap, ending by working sts on dpn #1 and place marker.
TOE
Cut MC. Join CC. K 1 rnd.
Toe dec rnd: K 1, ssk, k to last 3 sts on dpn #2, k2tog, k 1; on dpn #3, k 1, ssk, k to end; on dpn #1, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k 1. K 2 rnds even. Rep dec rnd. K 2 rnd(s) even.
Rep dec rnd. K 1 rnd even. Rep dec rnd. 10 sts left on 2 needles.
Cut CC, leaving 10" tail. Thread tapestry needle with tail and do the kitchener stitch. Weave in ends. Make second Sock same. (It might be easier to count the stitches from the last dec on the gusset to where you start the toe, it will make the socks even if you do that.)

Just a small note about this pattern. When I made the first pair for my son-in-law, we used a foot measurement of 12" when his actual foot measured 10". So I did correct it for everyone else. He has since bought me more yarn to make him more socks for his waders, and also so he can keep his feet warm on these cold Idaho nights.

Long time-- No See

Yes, I know, it's been a while since I've done anything here. My biggest achievements have been that a daughter that I have to give up for adoption finally made her way back home!! I've spent a lot of time with her, and helping her adapt to the area as much as I can. She has adapted so well, that she found the love of her life in a friend of mine. Now before anyone thinks something is wrong, this friend is only 2 years older than my daughter, and I actually made friends with him and his parents before my daughter entered the picture.

I'm doing another post for a pair of socks that I made for him. Never thought he would have received this gift so well, but he likes them in spite of the mistakes I made in them.

So, now on to the pattern.