Lighthouse Gansey Socks - Winter 2007

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by Anne Hanson

This top-down sock features traditional gansey styling on the upper leg, and ribbing to the toe; the total effect is that of a tall lighthouse with its beacon shining.

Intended to be a "guy" sock, it can easily be adapted to a female size using lighter-weight yarn and smaller needles.

This design was inspired by an old, but well-loved sweater, knit from a Family Circle pattern many years ago. That Lighthouse Gansey continues to be a favorite and is worn often.

model: David Whitfield photos: Anne Hanson

SIZE

Men’s Size Medium

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Foot circumference: 8.5 inches with ribbing unstretched
Will comfortably stretch to fit up to 10.5 inches

MATERIALS

Dicentra Designs Alpaca/Merino Sock yarn [50% Alpaca, 50% Merino wool; 375yd/340m per 4 ounce/100g skein]; color: Denim; 1 skein
Note: 1 skein will make a pair of socks with an 11-inch foot length and 11-inch sock height (upper edge to bottom of heel); longer socks will require more yarn.

Recommended needle size:
1 set of 4 US #1/2.25mm double-point needles
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]

Tapestry needle

GAUGE

30 sts/44 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty’s list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here]

Directions for the Long-Tail Cast On can be found here.

2x2 Rib (Worked in the round over a multiple of 4 sts):
Round 1: [K2, p2] to end.
Repeat this round for 2x2 Rib.

Lighthouse Panel (Worked in the round over 32 sts):
Round 1:K3, p2, k23, p2, k2.
Round 2:K3, p2, k11, k1 tbl, k11, p2, k2.
Round 3:P5, k10, p1, k1, p1, k10, p4.
Round 4:K3, p2, k10, p1, k1 tbl, p1, k10, p2, k2.
Round 5:K3, p2, k9, p1, k3, p1, k9, p2, k2.
Round 6:K3, p2, k9, p2, k1 tbl, p2, k9, p2, k2.
Round 7:P5, k8, [p1, k1] 3 times, p1, k8, p4.
Round 8:K3, p2, k8, p2, k1, k1 tbl, k1, p2, k8, p2, k2.
Round 9:K3, p2, k7, p1, k1, [p2, k1] twice, p1, k7, p2, k2.
Round 10:K3, p2, k7, p2, k1, p1, k1 tbl, p1, k1, p2, k7, p2, k2.
Round 11:P5, k6, p1, k1, p2, k3, p2, k1, p1, k6, p4.
Round 12:K3, p2, k6, p2, k1, p2, k1 tbl, p2, k1, p2, k6, p2, k2.
Round 13:K3, p2, k5, p1, k1, p2, k1, [p1, k1] twice, p2, k1, p1, k5, p2, k2.
Round 14:K3, p2, k5, [p2, k1] twice, k1 tbl, [k1, p2] twice, k5, p2, k2.
Round 15:P5, k4, p1, [k1, p2] 4 times, k1, p1, k4, p4.
Round 16:K3, p2, k4, [p2, k1] twice, p1, k1 tbl, p1, [k1, p2] twice, k4, p2, k2.
Round 17:K3, p2, k3, p1, [k1, p2] twice, k3, [p2, k1] twice, p1, k3, p2, k2.
Round 18:[K3, p2] twice, [k1, p2] twice, k1 tbl, [p2, k1] twice, p2, k3, p2, k2.
Round 19:P5, k2, p1, [k1, p2] twice, [k1, p1] twice, [k1, p2] twice, k1, p1, k2, p4.
Round 20:K3, p2, k2, [p2, k1] 3 times, k1 tbl, [k1, p2] 3 times, k2, p2, k2.
Round 21:K3, p2, k1, p1, [k1, p2] 6 times, k1, p1, k1, p2, k2.
Round 22:K3, p2, [k1, p2] 3 times, k1, p1, k1 tbl, p1, [k1, p2] 4 times, k2.
Round 23:P5, k2, [p2, k1] twice, p2, k3, [p2, k1] twice, p2, k2, p4.
Round 24:[K3, p2] twice, [k1, p2] twice, k1 tbl, [p2, k1] twice, p2, k3, p2, k2.
Round 25:K3, p2, k4, [p2, k1] twice, [p1, k1] twice, p2, k1, p2, k4, p2, k2.
Round 26:K3, p2, k5, [p2, k1] twice, k1 tbl, [k1, p2] twice, k5, p2, k2.
Round 27:P5, k6, [p2, k1] 3 times, p2, k6, p4.
Round 28:K3, p2, k7, p2, k1, p1, k1 tbl, p1, k1, p2, k7, p2, k2.
Round 29:K3, p2, k8, p2, k3, p2, k8, p2, k2.
Round 30:K3, p2, k9, p2, k1 tbl, p2, k9, p2, k2.
Round 31:P5, k10, p1, k1, p1, k10, p4.
Round 32:K3, p2, k11, k1 tbl, k11, p2, k2.
Round 33:K3, p2, k23, p2, k2.
Rounds 34-36:P all sts.
Rounds 37-38:[P2, k2] to end.
Rounds 39-40:[K1, p2, k1] to end.
Rounds 41-42:[K2, p2] to end.
Rounds 43-45:P all sts.

PATTERN

CUFF
Using the Long-Tail Cast On, loosely CO 64 sts.

Note: To ensure a loose CO, you may find it helpful to CO onto two needles held together.

Divide sts between needles as follows: 32 sts on Needle 1, 16 sts each on Needles 2 and 3. Join to begin working in the round, being careful not to twist.

Work 1.5 inches in 2x2 Rib.

LEG
P 3 rounds.
Work Rounds 1-45 of Lighthouse Panel. The 32-st Panel is worked twice in each round: once over sts on Needle 1, and once over sts on Needles 2 and 3.
Next Round: [K3, p1] to end. This round establishes 3x1 Rib.
Continue in 3x1 Rib until work measures 7.5 inches, or desired length to top of heel.

HEEL FLAP
Sl last on on Needle 1 to Needle 2. Sts on Needles 2 and 3 remain on hold for gusset and instep. Work heel flap back and forth over remaining 31 sts on Needle 1, as follows:
Row 1 [RS]: Sl 1, p3, [k3, p1] to last 3 sts on needle, p2, k1.
Row 2 [WS]: Sl 1, p6, [k1, p3] to last 4 sts on needle, p4.
Repeat these 2 rows 15 times more, then work Row 1 once more.

TURN HEEL
Row 1 [WS]: Sl 1, p17, p2tog, p1. Turn work.

Row 2 [RS]: Sl 1, k6, ssk, k1. Turn work.

Row 3 [WS]: Sl 1, p7, p2tog, p1. Turn work.

Row 4 [RS]: Sl 1, k8, ssk, k1. Turn work.

Row 5 [WS]: Sl 1, p9, p2tog, p1. Turn work.

Row 6 [RS]: Sl 1, k10, ssk, k1. Turn work.

Row 7 [WS]: Sl 1, p11, p2tog, p1. Turn work.

Row 8 [RS]: Sl 1, k12, ssk, k1. Turn work.

Row 9 [WS]: Sl 1, p13, p2tog, p1. Turn work.
Row 10 [RS]: Sl 1, k14, ssk, k1. Turn work.
Row 11 [WS]: Sl 1, p15, p2tog, p1. Turn work.
Row 12 [RS]: Sl 1, k16, ssk, k1. Do not turn work.
19 heel sts remain.

Divide these sts onto two needles so that the last 10 sts of Row 12 (sts with yarn attached) are on one needle, and the remaining 9 sts are on the other. Slip all sts from Needles 2 and 3, which have been held for the gusset and instep, to one needle. The needles will be designated as follows:
Needle 1: 10 heel sts with yarn attached (yarn is attached to end of Needle 1)
Needle 2: 33 gusset/instep sts
Needle 3: 9 heel sts

GUSSET
Set-Up Round: Using Needle 1, pick up and k 16 sts (1 st in each slipped st) along adjacent edge of heel flap; work all sts on Needle 2 in 3x1 Rib as set; pick up and k 16 sts (1 st in each slipped st) along remaining edge of heel flap, k to end of Needle 3. 84 sts.This point (center of heel) will now be beginning of round.

Round 1: K all sts on Needle 1; work sts on Needle 2 in 3x1 Rib as set; k all sts on Needle 3.

Round 2: K to last 4 sts on Needle 1, k2tog, k2; work sts on Needle 2 in 3x1 Rib as set; k2, ssk, k to end of Needle 3.

Repeat these 2 rounds 8 times more. 66 sts: 17 sts on Needle 1, 33 sts on Needle 2, 16 sts on Needle 3.

FOOT
Continue in pattern, working sts on Needles 1 and 3 in stockinette st and sts on Needle 2 in 3x1 Rib as set, until foot measures 2.75 inches less than desired length to end of toe.

TOE
K 6 rounds.
Decrease Round: K to last 3 sts on Needle 1, k2tog, k1; k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts on Needle 2, k2tog, k1; k1, ssk, k to end of Needle 3. 4 sts have been decreased.
K 1 round.
Repeat these 2 rounds 9 times more. 26 sts remain: 7 sts on Needle 1, 13 sts on Needle 2, 6 sts on Needle 3.

Work Decrease Round 4 times more. 10 sts remain: 3 sts on Needle 1, 5 sts on Needle 2, 2 sts on Needle 3.
Last Round: K2tog, k1; k1, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k1; k1, sl last st, pass this slipped st over first st on Needle 1 (a k2tog). Break yarn, leaving an 8-inch tail.

FINISHING

Thread tail onto tapestry needle and draw through remaining 6 sts, pull tight. Secure with a small stitch, and pull tail through to WS of work.
Weave in ends.
Block socks if desired.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Anne Hanson is the owner and designer of knitspot patterns. She learned to knit as a small child and began designing and teaching in her teens, in order to try new ideas. Her background in fashion, graphic design, and painting led to further experiments with knitted textiles, and creating patterns from her work. She writes about knitting, spinning, and designing on her blog, and lives in ohio with David, who loves wool, too.

Her online pattern shop can be found here.