Chance of Flurries Sock Pattern

LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE: Intermediate

SIZE: Adult Medium

YARN: Paca Peds Mini Skeins (Half Mad Kit) 65% Superwash Wool, 20% Superfine Alpaca, 15% Nylon 110 yds each

  • (MC) 2

  • (A) 1

  • (B) 1

  • (C) 1

NEEDLES: Size US #1 (2.25mm) and US #2 (2.75mm) double pointed needles (sets of 5)

NOTIONS: tapestry needle, removable stitch markers, stitch holder or extra needle

GAUGE: 16 st and 16 rnds = 2” in stranded stockinette st before blocking – TAKE TIME TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE

PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

Upper Leg

With MC and larger needles, CO 64 sts. Divide evenly between 4 needles (16 sts each) and join into the round being careful not to twist. This is the beginning of the round. You can place a removable stitch marker here to keep track of the beginning of the round. Switch to smaller needles for the ribbing.

Rib options

  • Basic: Work K1, P1 or K2, P2 ribbing for 8 rounds.

  • Fancy: With MC, K2 and color B, P2. Repeat around for 8 rounds.

Depending on the tightness of your stranded knitting, you may want to change to larger needles. Larger needles are also a good option for a larger calf. Use the smaller needle if you have a skinnier calf.

Work the leg graph in St st. Colors can be carried up a few rows but if they are not used for more than 4 rows, it would be suggested to cut them and weave in the tail upon completion. The tails can be used to close any gaps that may form when starting and stopping different colors. Add in the cut color when it is used again in the graph. Work all rows in the graph. If you desire a longer sock, add length here.

Heel Flap

Knit the first 16 stitches of the round and turn work.
Sl 1, P 31 stitches. These 32 stitches become the Heel Flap. The remaining stitches (16 on each of 2 needles) will not be worked until heel is finished.

Change to color B to make heel flap and turned heel sections.

  • Row 1: sl1, k1,* repeat across, turn.

  • Row 2: sl1, p31, turn.

Repeat these 2 rows 13 more times (for a total of 28 rows), then do row 1 once more.

Turn Heel

  • Row 1: sl 1, p18, p2tog, p1, turn, leaving the remaining stitches un-worked

  • Row 2: sl 1, k7, ssk, k1, turn

  • Row 3: sl 1, p8, p2tog, p1 turn

  • Row 4: sl 1, k9, ssk, k1, turn

  • Row 5: sl 1, p10, p2tog, p1, turn

  • Row 6: sl 1, k11, ssk, k1, turn

  • Row 7: sl 1, p12, p2tog, p1, turn

  • Row 8: sl 1, k13, ssk, k1, turn

  • Row 9: sl 1, p14, p2tog, p1, turn

  • Row 10: sl 1, k15, ssk, k1, turn

  • Row 11: sl 1, p16, p2tog, p1, turn

  • Row 12: sl 1, k17, ssk, k1

Instep Gusset

Change back to MC. Slip the last 10 stitches just worked onto one of the empty needles. With this needle, pick up and knit 15 stitches from the left side of the heel. This will now be called needle #1. You can place a removable marker at the start of this needle to designate the beginning of the round.

Knit across needles #2 & #3. This will be the top (instep) of the sock.

With an empty needle, pick up and knit 15 stitches from the right side of heel, then knit 10 stitches to end of round. This will now be called needle #4.

Instep Decreases

Change to smaller needle here if you have been using the larger needle. Decreases will be made at each side of the sock every other round.

  • Round 1: Knit all stitches.

  • Round 2:

    • Needle #1: knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1

    • Needle #2 & 3: knit

    • Needle #4: knit 1, ssk, knit to end

Repeat these two rounds until needles #1 & #4 have 16 stitches each. Needles 2 & 3 already had 16 stitches.

Foot

Continue knitting in rounds until the bottom of the sock is 2” less than the desired foot length and begin toe decreases.

Toe Decreases

Change to color B.

  • Round 1 (Decrease round):

    • Needle #1: work to 3 stitches from end, k2tog, k1

    • Needle #2: k1, ssk, knit remaining sts

    • Needle #3: work as for needle #1

    • Needle #4: work as for needle #2

  • Knit 2 rounds

  • Round 4: Repeat round 1

  • Knit 2 rounds

  • Round 7: Repeat round 1

  • Knit 2 rounds

  • Round 10: Repeat round 1

  • Knit 2 rounds

  • Round 13, 15, 17: Repeat round 1

  • Round 14, 16, 18: Knit

  • Round 19–23: Repeat round 1

Knit across sts from needle 1. Place sts from needle 1 & 4 on one needle and the sts from needle 2 & 3 on another needle. Leaving a tail about 18” long to graft stitches, cut yarn & use the Kitchener Stitch to close up the toe.

Finishing

Turn sock inside out and weave in any tails left from the color changes.
To block the sock, soak in soapy water for several minutes. Squeeze excess water out in a towel and leave flat to dry. A warm iron may be needed to finish the blocking of the stranded knitting.

Special Techniques

Grafting (Kitchener Stitch)
Arrange stitches on two needles. Hold needles with points facing the same direction, wrong sides of fabric together. Thread a tapestry needle with matching yarn (approximately 1” per stitch). Working from right to left and RS facing, proceed as follows:

  • Front needle: yarn through 1st stitch as if to purl, leave stitch on needle.

  • Back needle: yarn through 1st stitch as if to knit, leave on needle.

Then continue as follows:

  • Front needle: through 1st stitch as if to knit, slip off needle; through next stitch as if to purl, leave on needle.

  • Back needle: through 1st stitch as if to purl, slip off needle; through next stitch as if to knit, leave on needle.

Adjust tension to match rest of knitting and continue between * * until all stitches are worked in this fashion.

Abbreviations

  • CO – cast on

  • k – knit

  • k2tog – knit 2 stitches together

  • MC – main color

  • p – purl

  • p2tog – purl 2 stitches together

  • rnd(s) – round(s)

  • RS – right side

  • sl – slip

  • ssk – slip 2 sts individually knitwise and then knit those sts together

  • st(s) – stitch(es)

  • St st – stockinette stitch

  • tog – together