High Voltage : Knitty.com - Deep Fall 2017

High Voltage

High Voltage, a free knitting pattern from Knitty.com. Free knitting pattern for a pair of socks with vertically s randed lightning arrows.

INTRODUCTION

High Voltage

beauty shotby

Tangy

I love to try out different knitting techniques and I found it quite amazing how easy vertical stranding is to work, but what a unique look can be created with it. With vertical stranding, it is easy to create an eye-catching feature for colorful background yarns that tend to overrule complicated stitch patterns and so look best in plain stockinette stitch.

The idea for High Voltage and for using vertical stranding to create arrows came actually from the color of a yarn in my stash, which is so bold yellow that it reminded me of the high voltage warning signs. Unlike the sign, I worked the arrows using two contrast colors, in reversed order for the left and right sock. But possibilities are endless. Each arrow could be worked in a different color or why not make a colorful arrow using another yarn for each strand?

spacer photos: Mone Dräger

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SIZE

Women's S[M, L]

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Circumference: 7[8, 9] inches / 18[20.5, 23] cm
Leg length: adjustable; sample as shown has leg 6.5 inches/16.5 cm long
Foot length: adjustable, but to complete the arrow the foot should be a minimum of 7.5[8, 8.5] inches/ 18.75[20, 21.25] cm long

MATERIALS

Yarn
Note: Project uses yarn sets with 100g of speckled yarn [MC] and two matching mini skeins of 10g each [CC1 and CC2] dyed especially for this project, available from SpinningFates' Etsy store.

Yellow Socks with black and pink arrows (shown above)
spacer [MC] SpinningFates Megara[75% Merino, 25% Nylon; 460 yds/421 m per 100g skein]; color: It's Electric

SpinningFates Megara Mini Skein [75% Merino, 25% Nylon; 46 yds/42 m per 10g skein];
spacer [CC1] black
spacer [CC2] pink

Green Socks with black and turquoise arrows (shown below)
spacer [MC] SpinningFates Megara[75% Merino, 25% Nylon; 460 yds/421 m per 100g skein]; color: Amped Up

SpinningFates Megara Mini Skein [75% Merino, 25% Nylon; 46 yds/42 m per 10g skein];
spacer [CC1] black
spacer [CC2] turquoise

 

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
spacer US #1/2.25 mm needles for small circumference in the round: DPNs, 1 long or 2 short circulars as you prefer

Notions
spacer 3 stitch markers
spacer cable needle
spacer yarn needle

GAUGE

32 sts/44 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch.

PATTERN NOTES

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

The arrows are worked using vertical stranding in which a strand for each line is introduced and gets carried down one stitch each round. To introduce the first stitch of a contrasting vertical strand, hold the main color to the left. Form a loop with the contrast color strand, leaving a 6-inch/15 cm tail hanging to be woven in later, and knit the next stitch. Drop both contrast color pieces, the tail and the long working strand, off to the right. Return to the main color and continue to the next place where a contrast colored strand is introduced. When all contrast colored strands are in place, gather the short tails together and tie them loosely to avoid knitting them by accident.

Following work in MC to the proper stitch that is to be worked in CC. Always hold and keep MC to the left and behind the needles, then pick up the strand hanging from the stitch in CC the round below (so that the CC comes up from behind the MC) and knit the next stitch. The contrast colored strands are used in 2-stitch cables. While working them, always make sure the stitch in contrast color stays at the right side of the fabric.

The arrow head is added using duplicate stitch. The method was chosen to add some volume to the arrow head and make it a better match with the raised lines of the arrow. Alternatively it could be worked using the intarsia in the round method.

Arrow Head Chart
CC is worked in duplicate stitch.

Abbreviations:
C2L: Slip next stitch to cable needle and place at front of work, with MC k1, then with CC k1 from cable needle
C2R: Slip next stitch to cable needle and place at back of work, with CC k1, then with MC k1 from cable needle.

Techniques:
Grafting

CHARTS

Important note: The chart placement shifts over every time you complete a repeat. Specifically, when working the Right chart, with each repetition you start Row 1 three stitches later than in the preceding repeat. When working the Left chart, with each repeat you start Row 1 three stitches earlier in the round than in the preceding repeat.

charts

 

Right Sock Arrow Pattern
Work from chart or written instructions.

Chart
To place chart for first rnd of the repeat, k in MC to first st in CC, work chart and then k in MC to end of round.
Note: When Row 9 is complete, the chart shifts over by 3 sts, towards the end of the round.

Rnds 1-6: With MC k to st before the first st in CC, [using CC and MC, C2L, with MC k1] three times, with MC k to end.
Rnds 2-6: Rep Rnd 1.
Rnd 7-9: With MC k to last st before the first st in CC, [using CC and MC, C2R, with MC k1] three times, with MC k to end.


Left Sock Arrow Pattern
Work from chart or written instructions as you prefer.

Chart
To place chart for first rnd of the repeat, k in MC to 5 sts before first st in CC, work chart and then k in MC to end of round.
Note: When Row 9 is complete, the chart position shifts back by 3 sts, towards the start of the round.

Rnds 1-6: With MC k to last st before the first st in CC, [using CC and MC, C2R, with MC k1] three times, with MC k to end.
Rnd 7-9: With MC k to st before the first st in CC, [using CC and MC, C2L, with MC k1] three times, with MC k to end.

DIRECTIONS

Cut six strands with a length of approximately 2.25 yards/2m in each contrast color. In groups of three in the same color, wind them onto bobbins or into center-pull butterflies.

Cuff
Using MC and your favorite stretchy method, CO 56[64, 72] sts. Distribute sts across needles as you prefer and join for working in the round.

Right Sock Setup rnd: With MC k1 tbl, p1, [introduce strand in CC1 and k1 tbl, with MC p1] three times, with MC [k1 tbl, p1] to end of rnd.

Left Sock Setup rnd: With MC [k1 tbl, p1] 25[58, 66] times, [introduce strand in CC2 and k1 tbl, with MC, p1] three times, with MC [k1 tbl, p1] to end of rnd.

Work in rib pattern as set for 16 rnds, using the CC1 strands in the column they were introduced.

Leg
Right Sock Setup rnd: With MC k2, [with CC k1, with MC kfb] twice, with CC k1, with MC k to end. 58[66, 74] sts.

Left Sock Setup rnd: With MC k 50[58, 66] , [with CC k1, with MC kfb] twice, with CC k1, with MC k to end. 58[66, 74] sts.
Work from Right or Left Sock Arrow Pattern as appropriate or follow written instructions.
Work as set until you have completed 45 rounds total in Arrow pattern.

Next rnd: With MC k to st before first st in CC, [with CC k1, with MC k2tog] twice, with CC k1, with MC k to end. 56[64, 72] sts.
Next rnd: With MC k to st before first st in CC, [with CC k1, with MC k1] three times, with MC k to end.

Rep last rnd 2 more times.

Leaving first CC strand hanging, cut the other two, leaving a 6-inch/15cm tail.
Continuing with MC only, knit 8 rnds or to desired length.

Heel Flap
Right Sock Setup for heel flap: K4.

Left Sock Setup for heel flap: K33.

The heel flap is worked back and forth in rows over the 28[32, 36] sts just worked starting with a WS row. Turn work so that WS is facing.
Row 1 [WS]: Sl1 wyif, p 27[31, 35] .
Row 2 [RS]: Sl1 wyib, k 27[31, 35] .
Rep last 2 rows 11[12, 13] more times. 24[26, 28] rows total.

Heel Turn
Row 1 [WS]: Sl1 wyif, p 16[18, 20] , p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 2 [RS]: Sl1 wyib, k7, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 3: Sl1 wyif, p8, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 4: Sl1 wyib, k19, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 5: Sl1 wyif, p10, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 6: Sl1 wyib, k11, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 7: Sl1 wyif, p12, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 8: Sl1 wyib, k13, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 9: Sl1 wyif, p14, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 10: Sl1 wyib, k15, ssk, k1, turn.
Size S stop here. Do not turn after last row. 18 sts rem on heel.

Row 11: Sl1 wyif, p16, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 12: Sl1 wyib, k17, ssk, k1, turn.
Size M stop here. Do not turn after last row. 20 sts rem on heel.

Row 13: Sl1 wyif, p19, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 14: Sl1 wyib, k20, ssk, k1, turn.
Size L stop here. Do not turn after last row. 22 sts rem on heel.

At this point, all sizes resume working in the round.

Gusset
Setup rnd 1: With MC, pick up and knit 12[13, 14] sts along the edge of the heel flap, knit across instep stitches, pick up and knit 12[13, 14] sts along the edge of the heel flap, k1, pm for gusset decreases, k 8[9, 10] . This is the new start of round position. 70[78, 86] sts.

Right sock only, Setup rnd 2: With MC k 8[9, 10] , pm for gusset decreases, k 4[5, 6] , [introduce strand in CC2 and k1, with MC k2] three times, k to end.
With the CC strands introduced, the arrow will be worked as per the leg.

Left sock only, Setup rnd 2: With MC k 8[9, 10] , pm for gusset decreases, k 43[48, 53] , [introduce strand in CC1 and k1, with MC k2] three times, k to end.

Rnd 1: With MC k to first gusset marker, sm, ssk, work in established pattern using MC and CC where appropriate to 2 sts before gusset marker, k2tog, sm, k to end. 2 sts decreased.
Rnd 2: Work in established pattern to end.
Rep last 2 rnds 5 more times, removing gusset markers on the last round. 58[66, 74] sts.

Foot
Work as set until you have completed 45 rounds total in Arrow pattern.

Next rnd: With MC k to st before first st in CC, [with CC k1, with MC k2tog] twice, with CC k1, with MC k to end. 56[64, 72] sts.
Next rnd: With MC k to st before first st in CC, [with CC k1, with MC k1] three times, with MC k to end.
Rep last rnd 2 more times.

Leaving first CC strand hanging, cut the other two, leaving a 6-inch/15cm tail.

Continuing with MC only, knit 6 rnds or until foot measures 1.25[1.75, 2] inches/ 3.5[4, 5] cm less than desired length to toe.

Toe
Setup rnd 1: K 14[16, 18] . This is the new start of round.
Setup rnd 2: K 28[32, 36] , pm or divide sts on your needles for instep and sole, k to end.
Rnd 1: K1, ssk, k to 3 sts before end of instep, k2tog, k1; k1, ssk, k to 3 sts before end of rnd, k2tog, k1.. 4 sts decreased.
Rnd 2: Knit.
Rep last two rnds 4[5, 6] more times. 36[40, 44] sts.
Work Rnd 1 only 5[6, 7] more times. 16 sts.

FINISHING

Graft toe sts together using Kitchener St.
Using the long strands in CC1 and CC2, work the arrow heads in duplicate stitch onto the stockinette background in MC, using the Arrow Head Chart as guideline.

Block and weave in ends.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

designername Mone lives in a village in Germany and loves to craft and be creative. She can't imagine a day without knitting and enjoys playing around with colors and stitch patterns and has a special fancy for knitted accessories.

Find out more about her crafting adventures here and on Ravelry.

Pattern & images © 2017 Mone Dräger.