Putting on that first pair of handknit socks to welcome cooler weather is a beloved fall ritual. But as autumn becomes further entrenched, sometimes even our woolliest socks can't fend off the cold. The solution? Stranded knitting. It creates a double layer of warmth to fend off those chilly autumn breezes.
Volteado ("flipped") takes the popular chevron pattern we’re seeing everywhere these days and turns it on its side, mixing zig zag stripes of varying widths for warm, cozy socks that are fun to knit. I first imagined this pattern on mittens, but once I had the yarn in my hands, I knew it was destined for socks.
Frequent color changes eliminate those pesky long floats that toes might get caught in. Vertical stripes on the bottom create an extra cushiony sole, while single color heels and toes prevent bunching in unfortunate areas.
MATERIALS
Yarn
Tanis Fiber Arts Blue Label Fingering Weight[80% superwash merino, 20% nylon; 385m (420yds) per 115g skein] [MC]
Plum; 1 skein [CC]
Sunset; 1 skein
Recommended needle size [always use a needle
size that gives you the gauge
listed below -- every knitter's
gauge is unique] US #1.5/2.5mm needles for working in the round: DPNs, 1 long circular or 2 short circulars US #2/2.75mm needles for working in the round: DPNs, 1 long circular or 2 short circulars
Notions yarn needle
GAUGE
36 sts/36 rounds = 4 inches in charted pattern stitch
32 sts/40 rounds = 4 inches in single color stockinette stitch
PATTERN NOTES [Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]
Most socks are designed to be worn with negative ease; however, due to the inflexible nature of stranded fabric, these socks were designed with zero ease.
Kitchener Stitch:
Instructions for grafting can be found here.
DIRECTIONS
Cuff
With smaller needles and MC, CO 72[80] sts. Distribute sts across needles as you prefer and join for working in the round, being careful not to twist.
Ribbing rnd: Small:[P1, k1, p2, k3, p2, k2, p1] around. Large:[P1, k1, p1, k3, p2, k1, p1] around.
Work Ribbing as set for 10 rounds total, or until cuff measures 1 inch.
Leg
Switch to larger needles.
Join CC and begin working Rnd 1 of Small[Large] Chart. Charted pattern repeats 6[8] times around leg.
Work chart rnds 1-22[1-18] once, then, beginning with Rnd 3, continue to rep chart rnds 3-22[3-18] until leg reaches 6 inches, or desired length.
Next rnd: Work across first 36[40] stitches in charted pattern, then drop CC, noting where you left off on chart. You will continue to work heel over remaining 36[40] sts, using MC only.
Heel Turn Step 2: Row 1 [RS]: K11[13] to first wrapped st; knit st together with wrap, then wrap following st and turn. Row 2 [WS]: P12[14] to first wrapped st; purl st together with wrap, then wrap following st and turn. Row 3 [RS]: K to double wrapped st; knit st together with both wraps, then wrap following st and turn. Row 4 [WS]: P to double wrapped st; purl st together with both wraps, then wrap following st and turn.
Repeat Rows 3-4 until all wrapped sts have been worked, ending with WS row.
Foot
Pick up CC to begin working in the round with both colors again.
Work next 36[40] sts, now the sole of the sock, as follows: (K1 CC, k1 MC) 9[10] times, (k1 MC, k1 CC) to end.
This is now the start of the round, and Sole pattern is set.
Continue as established, working Small[Large] Chart pattern across first 36[40] sts for instep and sole pattern as set across rem of round, until foot is 2 inches shorter than desired length. Cut CC.
Toe
Toe is worked in MC only.
Rnd 1: K1, ssk, k to 3 sts before end of instep, k2tog, k1; k1, ssk, k to 3 sts before end of sole, k2tog, k1. 4 sts decreased. Rnd 2: Knit.
Rep Rnds 1-29[11] more times, until 32 sts remain, then work Rnd 1 only 4 times, until 16 sts remain. Cut yarn, leaving long tail.
Place first 8 sts on one needle, and next 8 sts on second needle.
Graft toe closed using Kitchener stitch.
FINISHING
Weave in all ends. Block over sock blockers to smooth out uneven stitches and even out floats.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Kristen Jancuk, the creative force behind MediaPeruana Designs, is a freelance translator by day and works furiously on too many knitting projects once her toddler is finally asleep for the night.
Most socks are designed to be worn with negative ease; however, due to the inflexible nature of stranded fabric, these socks were designed with zero ease.
