Ridley knee socks: Deep Fall 2013

by Yavanna Reynolds

My inspiration is pulled from the pages of 'junk food' literature, this time a young adult series. Ridley is a teenage siren, a girl with a dark future, who despite her high school age exhibits a sensuality and power far beyond her 16 years. When reading Beautiful Creatures, and the rest of the Caster Chronicles by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, I always pictured Ridley as a the kind of someone your parents might have warned you against, a "bad influence" in a short plaid skirt and long socks. She's the type of girl who might be secretly flirting with the entire lacrosse team while simultaneously cheating off your homework. And even though she might be a bit naughty, she's also your best friend -- the kind of person who always sticks up for you, when she isn't too busy getting you both into trouble.

Ridley (the socks) are also daring and exciting, without causing too much mischief. Knit from the toe up, you can try them on for fit as you go. With clever ribbing for shape along the foot and arch, as well as a tricky little cable with a hidden lace shaping along the center back, this sock is secretly sexy and curvy while maintaining a measure of demure innocence. Maybe bringing Ridley into your life might convince you to show a little leg, even as the temperature cools.

model: Yavanna Reynolds

photos: Jeffrey Reynolds, Yavanna Reynolds


SIZE S[M, L]

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Cuff Circumference: 5.75 [6.5, 7.25] inches relaxed and 13 [15, 17] inches at maximum stretch
Foot Circumference: approximately 6.5[7.5, 8.5] inches
Leg Length: 15 inches above the heel. Length is adjustable.
Foot Length: adjustable to fit. Minimum length is 7.5 inches (US children's size 13, Euro size 31)

MATERIALS
Yarn
Candy Skein Juicy Sport [100% Merino; 274 yds/251 m per 100g skein]
[MC] Foil Wrapper; 2 skeins.
[CC] Watermelon; 1 skein.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #2/2.75 needles for working small circumferences in the round

Notions
cable needle (optional)
stitch markers
yarn needle

GAUGE

28 sts/37 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
46 sts/37 rounds = 4 inches in [K2, P2] rib (relaxed)

PATTERN NOTES
[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

If the sport weight yarn is unavailable, possible substitutions include:
Malabrigo, Arroyo [100% Merino; 335 yards per 100g skein]
Cephalopod Yarns, Bugga! [70% Merino, 20% Cashmere, 10% Nylon; 410 yards per 115g skein]
Cascade Yarns, 220 Sport [100% Wool; 164 yards per 50g skein]

M1L: Insert left needle, front to back, under the horizontal strand between the stitch just knit and the following stitch. Knit into the back of this loop (1 stitch increased).	M1R: Insert left needle, back to front, under the horizontal strand between the stitch just knit and the following stitch. Knit into the front of the loop (1 stitch increased).
M1PL: Insert left needle, front to back, under the horizontal strand between the stitch just knit and the following stitch. Purl into the back of this loop (1 stitch increased).	M1PR: Insert left needle, back to front, under the horizontal strand between the stitch just knit and the following stitch. Purl into the front of the loop (1 stitch increased).
C4L: Slip the first 2 sts onto a cable needle and hold in front. Knit the next 2 sts. Slip st from cable needle back onto the left needle and knit.	C4R: Slip the first 2 sts onto a cable needle and hold in back. Knit the next 2 sts. Slip sts from cable needle back onto the left needle and k2.
2/1/2 LPC: Slip the first 2 sts onto a cable needle and hold in front. K2, p1. Slip st from cable needle back onto the left needle and k2.	2/1/2 RPC: Slip the first 3 sts onto a cable needle and hold in back. Knit the next 2 sts. Slip sts from cable needle back onto the left needle and p1, k2.
2/4 LPC: Slip the first 2 sts onto a cable needle and hold in front.P4. Slip st from cable needle back onto the left needle and k2.	2/4 RPC: Slip the first 4 sts onto a cable needle and hold in back. Knit the next 2 sts. Slip sts from cable needle back onto the left needle and p4.
2/2/2 LPC: Slip the first 2 sts onto a cable needle and hold in front. K2, p2. Slip st from cable needle back onto the left needle and k2.	2/2/2 RPC: Slip the first 4 sts onto a cable needle and hold in back. Knit the next 2 sts. Slip sts from cable needle back onto the left needle and p2, k2.
Left Decrease Cable: Slip the first 2 sts onto a cable needle and hold in front. P2tog twice. Slip st from cable needle back onto the left needle and k2. 2 sts decreased.	Right Decrease Cable: Slip the first 4 sts onto a cable needle and hold in back. Knit the next 2 sts. Slip sts from cable needle back onto the left needle and p2tog twice. 2 sts decreased
Left Increase Cable: Slip the first 2 sts onto a cable needle and hold in front. Kfb, pfb. Slip st from cable needle back onto the left needle and k2. 2 sts increased.	Right Increase Cable: Slip the first 2 sts onto a cable needle and hold in back. Knit the next 2 sts. Slip sts from cable needle back onto the left needle and kfb, pfb. 2 sts increased

Charts
The charts for this pattern are very large. Each fits on a letter-sized page.
Click the appropriate size below and print each resulting page.

Instep + Front Leg Small | Back Leg 1 Small | Back Leg 2 Small
Instep + Front Leg Medium | Back Leg 1 Medium | Back Leg 2 Medium
Instep + Front Leg Large | Back Leg 1 Large | Back Leg 2 Large

DIRECTIONS
Toe
With CC yarn, using Judy's Magic Cast-On, CO 20[24, 28] sts divided evenly between two needles; 10[12, 14] sts per needle.

Begin working in the round. The first 10[12, 14] sts make up the sole, the following 10[12, 14] sts are the instep.

Round 1: Knit.

Round 2: K1, M1R, knit to 1 st before end of sole, M1L, k1; k1, M1R, knit to 1 st before end of the instep, M1L, k1. 4 sts increased

Note: Read ahead through the rest of Toe instructions before you proceed.

Work Rounds 1 and 2 total of 7[8, 9] times, then work the 8[6, 4] rounds even AT THE SAME TIME working stripes as below:
Rounds 1-11: CC
Rounds 12-14: MC
Rounds 15-17: CC
Rounds 18-20: MC
Rounds 21-23: CC
Round 24: MC

Next round: *K1, M1R, k10[12, 14], m1L, k2, m1R; knit to 1 st before end of sole, M1L, k1. Repeat from * . 8 sts increased.

Next round: Knit. 56[64, 72] sts.

Break CC; continue foot with MC only.

Foot
Set up: K 2[1, 2]. This is the new start of round. K24[30, 32] sts – this is the new end of sole. K 32[34, 40] to end of round. Rearrange sts as you prefer.

Lower foot round: K sole sts; work Instep Chart 1 round 1 across instep sts.
Repeat Lower foot round, repeating Chart 1 round 1, until foot measures 3 inches from CO.

Upper foot round: K sole sts; work Instep Chart next round across instep sts.
Work until Instep Chart is complete, and repeat rounds 6-9 until foot is 2.5[3, 3.5] inches shorter than your final desired foot length, ending with Chart round 9

Gusset
For the 34[36, 42] instep sts, you will now be working from Instep Chart 2. Once the chart is complete, work repeat rows as indicated throughout gusset and heel, until instructed otherwise.

Sizes S & L:
Set-up round 1: M1PR, pm, k to end of sole, pm, m1PL. Work next round of the instep chart across 34[-, 42] instep sts. 2 sts increased. 60[-, 76] sts.
Set-up round 2: M1PR, p1, SSK, k to 2 sts before m, k2tog, p1, m1PL. Work next round of the instep chart across instep.
Set-up round 3: M1R, p2, k to m, p2, m1L. Work next round of the instep chart across instep. 62[-, 78] sts.
Set-up round 4: M1R, k1, p2, SSK, k to 2 sts before m, k2tog, p2, k1, m1L. Work next round of the instep chart across instep.

Size M:
Set-up round 1: M1R, pm, k to end of sole, pm, m1L. Work next round of the instep chart across -[36, -] instep sts. -[68, -] sts.
Set-up round 2: M1R, k1, SSK, k to 2 sts before m, k2tog, k1, m1L. Work next round of the instep chart across instep.
Set-up round 3: M1PR, k2, k to m,k2, m1PL. Work next round of the instep chart across instep. -[70, -] sts.
Set-up round 4: M1PR, p1, k2, SSK, k to 2 sts before m, k2tog, k2, p1, m1PL. Work next round of the instep chart across instep.
Set-up round 5: M1R, p2, k2, k to m, k2, p2, m1L. Work next round of the instep chart across instep. -[72, -] sts.
Set-up round 6: M1R, k1, p2, k2, SSK, k to 2 sts before m, k2tog, k2, p2, k1, m1L. Work next round of the instep chart across instep.

All Sizes Continue:
Round 1: M1PR, work in established rib to m, k to marker, work in established rib until end of sole sts, m1PL. Work next round of the instep chart across instep. 2 sts increased.

Round 2: M1PR, work in established rib until m, slm. SSK, k to 2 sts before m, k2tog. Slm, work in established rib until end of sole sts, m1PL. Work next round of the instep chart as established across all instep sts to end round.

Round 3: M1R, work in established rib until m, slm. K to m, slm; work in established rib until end of sole. m1L. Work next round of the instep chart across instep. 2 sts increased.

Round 4: M1R, work in established rib until m, slm. SSK, k to 2 sts before m, k2tog. Slm, work in established rib until end of sole sts, m1L. Work next round of the instep chart across instep.

Repeat Rounds 1-4 2[2, 3] more times. 40[48, 52] sole sts and 34[36, 42] instep; 74 [84, 94] sts total.
Heel Turn
Set up: With MC, work 10[13, 14] sts in rib pattern as set, SSK, k14[16, 18]. Turn so that WS is facing.

Size S
Row 1 [WS]: P2tog, p13, turn.
Row 2 [RS]: SSK, k12, turn.
Row 3 [WS]: P2tog, p11, turn.
Row 4 [RS]: SSK, k10, turn.
Row 5 [WS]: P2tog, p9, turn.
Row 6 [RS]: SSK, k8, turn.
Row 7 [WS]: P2tog, p7, turn.
Row 8 [RS]: SSK, k6, turn.
Row 9 [WS]: P2tog, p5, turn.
Row 10 [RS]: SSK, k4, turn.
Row 11 [WS]: P2tog, p3, turn.
Proceed to Heel Flap.

Size M
Row 1 [WS]: P2tog, p15, turn.
Row 2 [RS]: SSK, k14, turn.
Row 3 [WS]: P2tog, p13, turn.
Row 4 [RS]: SSK, k12, turn.
Row 5 [WS]: P2tog, p11, turn.
Row 6 [RS]: SSK, k10, turn.
Row 7 [WS]: P2tog, p9, turn.
Row 8 [RS]: SSK, k8, turn.
Row 9 [WS]: P2tog, p7, turn.
Row 10 [RS]: SSK, k6, turn.
Row 11 [WS]: P2tog, p5, turn.
Row 12 [RS]: SSK, k4, turn.
Row 13 [WS]: P2tog, p3, turn.
Proceed to Heel Flap.

Size L
Row 1 [WS]: P2tog, p17, turn.
Row 2 [RS]: SSK, k16, turn.
Row 3 [WS]: P2tog, p15, turn.
Row 4 [RS]: SSK, k14, turn.
Row 5 [WS]: P2tog, p13, turn.
Row 6 [RS]: SSK, k12, turn.
Row 7 [WS]: P2tog, p11, turn.
Row 8 [RS]: SSK, k10, turn.
Row 9 [WS]: P2tog, p9, turn.
Row 10 [RS]: SSK, k8, turn.
Row 11 [WS]: P2tog, p7, turn.
Row 12 [RS]: SSK, k6, turn.
Row 13 [WS]: P2tog, p5, turn.
Row 14 [RS]: SSK, k4, turn.
Row 15 [WS]: P2tog, p3, turn.
Proceed to Heel Flap.

Heel Flap
Continuing with MC

Set-up Round 1: Sl1, k3. Pick up and knit 10[12, 14] sts along decreased edge of the left side of heel; Work even in pattern as set to instep. Work next row of the instep chart repeat. Work even in pattern as set to next heel edge, pm, pick up and knit 10[12, 14] sts along the right side heel edge. 78[90, 102] sts total.

Set up Round 2: K 14[16, 18] heel sts. Work sts in their established rib to instep. Work next row of the instep chart repeat. Work set in their established rib to heel to end round.

The heel flap is worked over the following 24[28, 32] sts and the bordering 10[13, 14] heel flap rib st sets.

Row 1 [RS]: Drop MC and join CC. Sl 1, k 22[26, 30], ssk the last heel st with the first st in the following set, turn.
Row 2 [WS]: Sl1, p 22[26, 30], p2tog the last heel st with the first st in the following set, turn.
Row 3 [RS]: Sl 1, k 22[26, 30], ssk the last heel st with the first st in the following set, turn.
Row 4 [WS]: Work as for Row 2. Turn
Row 5 [RS]: Drop yarn and switch to MC. Work as for Row 1, turn.
Row 6 [WS]: Work as for row 2, turn.
Row 7 [RS]: Drop yarn and switch to CC. Work as for Row 1, turn.
Row 8 [WS]: Work as for row 2, turn.

Repeat Rows 5-8 2[4, 4] more times. You should have 2[1, 1] st remaining unworked along each side of the heel of the original 10[13, 14] rib heel flap sts. You should be ready to work a WS row.

Sizes S & L only:
Work Rows 5-7 as written.
Final row [WS]: Sl1, p1, M1PR, p9[-, 13], M1PR, p2, M1PL, p9[-, 13], M1PL, p1, p2tog the last heel st with the remaining sts from the following set, turn.

Size M only:
Work Row 5 as written.
Final row [WS]: Sl1, p1, M1PR, p -[11, -], M1PR, p2, M1PL, p -[11, -], M1PL, p1, p2tog the last heel st with the remaining sts from the following set, turn.

All sizes: Drop CC yarn and switch to MC yarn for the leg. Cut the CC yarn, leaving a tail to weave in later. Your heel should measure approx. 2.25[2.5, 3] inches long. You should now have 28 [32, 36] heel sts.

Leg
Sizes S &L, Setup Round: Work Back Leg Chart 1 row 1 starting with st 5[-, 5]; work row 1 from Front Leg chart. Rem 2 sts of round will be moved to the Back Leg.

Sizes M, Setup Round: Work Back Leg Chart 1 row 1 starting with st -[3, -]; work row 1 from Front Leg chart. Rem 2 sts of round will be moved to the Back Leg.

All Sizes: You should now have 30[32, 38] Front Leg sts and 32[36, 40] Back Leg sts; 62[68, 78] sts.

Leg round: Work Back Leg Chart 1; work Front Leg chart.

Once Back Leg chart 1 is complete, repeat rounds 12[14, 12] to 27[29, 27] 3 times. You should now have 30[32, 38] Front Leg sts and 38[40, 46] Back Leg sts; 68[72, 84] sts.

Switch to Back Leg Chart 2 for the Back Leg sts, starting with round 1. Continue working from the Front Leg Chart, repeating the rounds in red as previously established and continuing where you left off. Continue working in this manner until all rounds of the Back Leg Chart 2 have been completed.

When back Leg Chart 2 is complete, repeat rounds 47[45, 47] to 50[48, 50] and continue repeating Front Leg Chart repeat rounds, until 12.5 inches long from the end of the heel (ankle) or 2.5 inches shorter than your final desired length, ending on any round EXCEPT for round 48 of Back Leg Chart 2.

Cuff
Cuff Setup Round 1 : K2tog twice, p1[2, 1], (k2, p2) 3[3, 4] times, k2tog twice, (p2, k2) 3[3, 4] times, p1[2, 1], k2tog twice; p1[2, 1], (k2, p2) 3[3, 4] times, k2tog twice, (p2, k2) 3[3, 4] times, p1[2, 1]. 8 sts decreased. 60[64, 76] sts.

Sizes S & L only:
Cuff Setup Round 2: K2, p2tog, p3tog. Work in established rib until 7 sts before side of foot marker; p3tog, p2tog, k2; pfb, work in established rib until 1 st before the end, pfb. 4 sts decreased. 56[-, 72] sts.

You should now have 28[30, 36] Front Leg sts and 28[34, 36] Back Leg sts for a total of 56[64, 72] sts. All cables should now be blended into a 2x2 rib.

Join CC. As you work the cuff, work stripes as follows:
Rounds 1-2: CC
Rounds 3-4: MC
Rounds 5-7: CC
Rounds 8-10:MC
Rounds 11-13: CC
Rounds 14-16: MC
Rounds 17-24: CC

Cuff round: [K2, p2] around.

FINISHING
Bind off using Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy BO method. Weave in all ends.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Yavanna Reynolds (Datenshi on Ravelry) is a part-time designer and full-time mama living in the San Francisco Bay Area suburb of El Cerrito. Her hobbies include baking, running marathons, and reading junk-food fiction.

You can learn more about her adventures in baking, running, and knitting by following her blog or joining her Ravelry group, Watch Datenshi Design.