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by Marilyn A Roberts

This design uses a simple textured stitch that enhances the glorious colors in Koigu. I chose a very bright colorway because this stitch pattern becomes lost in the darker ones. If you don't use the suggested color, go bright! Every stitch in this colorway reminded me of spring as I knit the socks in the dead of winter: tulip pink, crocus purple, azalea red, daffodil yellow, new-tree green.

And why did I name this design Crusoe? Because the stitch pattern is stranded.

It's a very simple slip-stitch textured pattern, with the yarn held in front - that's the stranding. The 4-round repeat makes it quick to learn. Knit the socks quite firmly. Two skeins are definitely enough to make the smaller size; if you alter the length of the leg, you'll need to buy one more skein, most likely.

foots: Marilyn A Roberts photo: Andre Maglione

SIZE

Women's shoe size 7-8[9-10]

MATERIALS

Koigu Painter's Premium Palette Merino [100% merino wool; 175 yds/m per 50g skein] ; color #106; 2[3] skeins

1 set US #1/2.5 mm double-point needles

GAUGE

24 sts/40 rnds = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

DIRECTIONS

Stranded Stitch:
Rnds 1 & 3: Knit
Rnd 2: *K2, with yarn held in front [wyif], sl 2 sts; repeat from * around.
Rnd 4: *Wyif, sl 2 sts, k2; repeat from * around.
Note: Slp = slip purlwise

Cuff
Cast on 44[48] sts loosely.
Divide sts on 3 dp needles as follows:
N1: 11[12] heel sts.
N2: 22[24] instep sts.
N3: 11[12] heel sts.
Join.

Leg
Knit 12 rnds for rolled cuff.
Work the 4 rnd stranded stitch pattern for 4 inches.
Complete sts on N2.

Heel
Slip N3 sts onto N1-22[24] sts.
With RS facing, work back and forth in stranded heel stitch as
follows:
Rw 1: Slp 1, *k1, wyif, slp 1. Repeat from * to end.
Rw 2: Slp 1, p to end.
Repeat these 2 rows until 22[24] rws are complete.

Turn Heel
Note: For Sl 1, slip stitches purlwise.
Rw 1: [RS] K 13[14], ssk, k1. Turn.
Rw 2: Slp 1, p3, p2tog, p1. Turn.
Rw 3: Slp 1, k4, ssk, k1. Turn.
Rw 4: Slp 1, p5, p2tog, p1. Turn.
Rw 5: Slp 1, k6, ssk, k1. Turn.
Rw 6: Slp 1, p7, p2tog, p1. Turn.
Rw 7: Slp1, k8, ssk, k1. Turn.
Rw 8: Slp 1, p9, p2tog, p1. Turn.
Rw 9: Slp 1, k10, ssk, k1. Turn.
Rw 10: Slp 1, p11, p2tog, p1. Turn.
Rw 11: Slp 1, k12, ssk. Turn.
Rw 12: Slp 1, p12, p2tog. Turn.
Work 6[7] sts.

Heel Gusset
With free needle and RS facing, k second half of the heel sts. [N1]
Continuing with the same needle, pick up 11[12] sts along the side of the heel.
Pick up and knit st from the row below the first instep st to prevent a hole - N1: 12[13] sts total.
With another needle, work across the 22[24] instep sts, maintaining stranded stitch patterning. [N2]
With free needle, pick up and knit st from the row below the first heel st to prevent a hole.
Pick up 11[12] sts along the side of the heel and work across the remaining heel sts - N3: 12[13] sts total

Gusset
N1: Work to 3 sts from end, k2tog, k1.
N2: [instep] Work even.
N3: k1, ssk, work to end.
Next Rnd: Work even.
Repeat these 2 rnds until there are 44[48] sts remaining.

Foot
Continue working in rounds until foot from back of heel measures 9 inches.
Complete sts on N3.

Toe
Rnd 1:
N1: [heel] Work to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
N2: [instep] K1, ssk, work to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
N3: [heel] K1, ssk, complete round.
Rnd 2: Work even.
Repeat these 2 rnds until 22[24] sts remain.
Work Rnd 1 only until 10[12] sts remain.

Work second sock the same and cast on immediately after finishing the first so you don't end up with One Sock Syndrome!

FINISHING

Cut yarn leaving a 3 inch tail.
With tapestry needle draw the end through rem sts.
Pull tight and fasten off.
OR
Work sts on N1 and N3.
Holding N1 and N2 together, graft sts tog using Kitchener st.
Weave in ends on inside of sock.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Marilyn Roberts learned to knit at 7 because her mother, Elly, wanted her to sit still and behave herself. Now she’s grown up, a procedures writer and grandmother to Elisabeth, the next in a line of dedicated but cranky knitters.

On her knitblog, The Knitting Curmudgeon, Marilyn minces no words about the knitting scene at least twice a week. She also spins and pesters her boyfriend Achim.