by Laura Andrews

A simple colorwork pattern of interlocking diamonds forms the lower cuff, is modified on the foot, and is repeated on the toe of these socks. I wanted to design a sock pattern with colorwork (my favorite thing to knit!), but my normal clothing is conservative so I wanted socks that I could wear with anything in my closet. Most colorwork socks, while beautiful, would most likely end up as slippers if I knit them for myself.

A while back I saw a vest with a pattern of interlocking diamonds, and when I went to design my socks that inspiration came back to me. They aren't too fancy, but they are very fun and quick to make and add a nice bit of interest to an outfit.

These socks take only minimal amounts of each contrasting color, so dig into your stash to find those little 15-gram leftovers you've been saving, and knit away!

SIZE
Adult S[M, L]

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Foot Circumference: 8[9, 10] inches
Leg Length: adjustable, samples shown have leg 8.5 inches from cuff to beginning of heel flap
Foot Length: adjustable

Note: choose a size the same circumference as your foot/ankle — this particular sock should be worked with zero ease.

MATERIALS
Yarn
Version 1: blue, yellow, orange, green and purple
KnitPicks Palette [100% Wool; 231 yd/211 m per 50g skein]
[MC] Ciel; 2[2, 3] skeins
[CC1] Cornmeal; 1 skein — uses approx. 5gm
[CC2] Masala; 1 skein — uses approx. 5gm
[CC3] Peapod; 1 skein — uses approx. 5gm
[CC4] Regal; 1 skein — uses approx. 5gm

Version 2: grey, blue and red
KnitPicks Palette [100% Wool; 231 yd/211 m per 50g skein]
[MC] Finnley Heather; 2[2, 3] skeins
[CC1] Marine Heather; 1 skein — uses approx. 5gm
[CC2] Lingonberry Heather; 1 skein — uses approx. 5gm

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below — every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #1/2.25mm needles for small circumference in the round: DPNs, 1 long circular or 2 short circulars
US #1.5/2.5mm needles for small circumference in the round: DPNs, 1 long circular or 2 short circulars
US #2/2.75mm needles for small circumference in the round: DPNs, 1 long circular or 2 short circulars
US #2.5/3mm needles for small circumference in the round: DPNs, 1 long circular or 2 short circulars (optional)

Notions
stitch holder
yarn needle

GAUGE
32 sts/36 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

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

Size A Needle = 2.25 mm
Size B Needle = 2.5 mm
Size C Needle = 2.75 mm

I have included two different versions of the sock, one with two contrasting colors and one with four.

Instructions for grafting can be found here.

DIRECTIONS
Cuff
Using smallest needles and MC CO 66[72, 84] stitches. Distribute across needles as you prefer and join for working in the round.

Ribbing round: [K1, p1] around.

Work ribbing as set for 20 rounds.

Change to largest needles and knit one round.

Join CC1 and work Chart A.

Next round, establish Chart: Work Chart A 11[12, 13] times around.

Work as set until Chart A is complete, joining and cutting yarns as required.

Leg
Change to smallest needles.

Ribbing round: [K2, p2] around.
Work ribbing as set for 40 rounds.

Heel
Change to middle size needles.

Row 1 [RS]: K16[18, 21], slip next 34[36, 42] sts to a single needle or holder, turn. 32[36, 42] sts for heel flap.

Row 2 [WS]: Sl1, p31[35, 41].

Row 3 [RS]: [Slip 1, k1] across.

Row 4 [WS]: Slip 1, p31[35, 41].

Repeat Rows 3 & 4 14[16, 19] more times. 32[36, 42] rows total.

Heel Turn
Set-up row 1 [RS]: K18[20, 23], ssk, k1, turn.
Setup row 2 [WS]: Slip 1, p5, p2tog, p1, turn.

Row 1 [RS]: Slip 1, k6, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 2 [WS]: Slip 1, p7, p2tog, p1, turn
Row 3 [RS]: Slip 1, k8, ssk, k1, turn
Row 4 [WS]: Slip 1, p9, p2tog, p1, turn
Row 5 [RS]: Slip 1, k10, ssk, k1, turn
Row 6 [WS]: Slip 1, p11, p2tog, p1, turn
Row 7 [RS]: Slip 1, k12, ssk, k1, turn
Row 8 [WS]: Slip 1, p13, p2tog, p1, turn
Row 9 [RS]: Slip 1, k14, ssk, k1, turn
Row 10 [WS]: Slip 1, p15, p2tog, p1, turn

Size S only:
Row 11 [RS]: Slip 1, k16, ssk, turn.
Row 12 [WS]: Slip 1, p16, p2tog, turn.
Proceed to Final Row.

Size M only:
Row 11 [RS]: Slip 1, k16, ssk, k1, turn
Row 12 [WS]: Slip 1, p17, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 13 [RS]: Slip 1, k18, ssk, turn.
Row 14 [WS]: Slip 1, p18, p2tog, turn.
Proceed to Final Row.

Size L only:
Row 11 [RS]: Slip 1, k16, ssk, k1, turn
Row 12 [WS]: Slip 1, p17, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 13 [RS]: Slip 1, k18, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 14 [WS]: Slip 1, p19, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 15 [RS]: Slip 1, k20, ssk, k1, turn
Row 16 [WS]: Slip 1, p21, p2tog, p1, turn
Row 17 [RS]: Slip 1, k21, ssk, turn.
Row 18 [WS]: Slip 1, p20, p2tog, turn.

Final row [RS]: Knit across heel sts. 18[20, 22] sts remain

Gusset
Gusset setup round: With RS facing, pick up and knit 16[18, 21] sts along the first side of the heel flap. Knit across instep stitches. Pick up and knit 16[18, 21] sts down the second side of the heel flap. 84[92, 106] stitches total.

You will now be working in the round again. With the needle you just used to pick up the second set of sts, knit 9[10, 11] stitches, to the center of the heel. This is the new start of round. Distribute sts as you wish.

Gusset Round 1: K to 3 sts before instep, k2tog, k1; knit across instep; k1, ssk, k to end of round. 2 sts decreased.
Gusset round 2: Knit.

Repeat these 2 rounds 8[9, 10] more times, to 66[72, 84] sts.

Foot
Knit 2 rounds.
Next round, establish Chart: Work Chart B 11[12, 13] times around.
Work as set until Chart B is complete, joining and cutting yarns as required.

With MC knit even until you are 1.5[1.5, 2] inches from desired length of foot.

Size S only, toe setup round: K2tog, k to 2 sts before instep, ssk, k2tog, k to 2 sts before end of instep, ssk. Stop here. This is the new start of round. 62 sts.

Sizes M & L only, toe setup round: K to 1 st before start of instep, M1, k to 1 st before end of instep, M1, k1. Stop here. This is the new start of round. –[74, 86] sts.

Toe
Work Chart C, joining colors as required, decreasing as indicated.

22[30, 34] sts rem after Chart C is complete.
Using Kitchener stitch, graft the toe closed.

FINISHING
Block and weave in ends.

Note: your colorwork sections may not even out with a regular wet blocking, so try steam blocking them. To do this, place a wet cloth over your sock, turn your iron on to the high setting, and iron over the cloth. This will even out even the must stubborn tension problems.

Laura is 22 years old, a knitter and also an author. She has three brothers and six sisters, plus wonderful parents and a brand new sister-in-law; which keeps her busy knitting all kinds of things, from stuffed animals to Fair Isle sweaters. She lives in Florida.

You can find her on Ravelry.