Windward, a free knitting pattern from Knitty.com.

INTRODUCTION

Windward

beauty shot

by Åsa Buchta

Tangy

Color and cables combine for a fun coastal-inspired sock. Charts are provided for adding an optional heart or anchor to the heel.

spacer photos: Åsa Buchta

SIZE

Adult S[M, L]
shown in size Medium above in cream, Small below in blue

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Foot Circumference: 6.5[8, 9.5] inches/ 16.5[20.5, 24.5] cm
Foot & Leg Length: Adjustable; sample leg is 6.5/16.5 cm as shown

Choose a size approximately 1–2 inches/2.5–5 cm small than your ball-of-foot circumference.

MATERIALS

Yarn
Berroco Vintage Sock [52% Acrylic, 40% Wool, 8% Nylon; 437 yds/400 m per 3.5 oz/100 g skein];

Cream Socks, shown in size M:
[MC] #12002 Buttercream; 1[1, 2] skeins
[CC1] #12020 Dark Denim; 1[1, 1] skein - 100 yds/20 g is enough for all sizes

Blue Socks, shown in size S:
[MC] #12134 Horizon Blue 1[1, 2] skeins
[CC1] #12002 Buttercream; 1[1, 1] skein - 100 yds/20 g is enough for all sizes
[CC2] #12050 Berries; 1[1, 1] skein - 20 yds/5 g is enough for all sizes

Yarn Characteristics
The sample uses a fingering-weight sock yarn in an easy-care blend of fibers. Solid or semi-solid yarns are recommended.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 set US #1/2.25mm needles for small circumference in the round.

Notions
cable needle
stitch markers
yarn needle

GAUGE

30 sts/44 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch
38 sts/44 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in pattern stitch for size S
36 sts/44 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in pattern stitch for size M
35 sts/44 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in pattern stitch for size L

Note: gauge is always taken after blocking.

PATTERN NOTES

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

Construction method: This sock is knit in the round from the cuff down to the toe, with a heel flap worked flat, and gusset shaping. The toe is grafted closed. A chart is included to customize the finished sock with an optional heart or anchor made with a duplicate stitch.

Techniques:

Long Tail CO video tutorial
Grafting photo tutorial | video tutorial
Duplicate Stitch video tutorial

C6R: Slip next 3 sts to cable needle and hold at back of work; k3, then k3 from cable needle.
Sl 1: All stitches should be slipped purlwise.

CHARTS

Cable Pattern
Work from chart or written instructions as you prefer.

Rnds 1–6: (K 1[2, 3] , p1, k6, p1, k 1[2, 3] ) around.
Rnd 7: (K 1[2, 3] , p1, C6R, p1, K 1[2, 3] ) around.
Rnds 8–12: (K 1[2, 3] , p1, k6, p1, k 1[2, 3] ) around.

DIRECTIONS

Cuff
Using the Long Tail or your preferred stretchy method, with CC1, CO 48[60, 72] sts. Distribute sts across needles as you prefer and join for working in the round. Note or mark start of round.

Ribbing rnd: (K1, p1) around.
Work 7 more rounds in ribbing.
Change to MC for cream sock, or CC2 for blue sock, and work 4 more rounds in ribbing.
Change to CC1 and work 8 more rounds in ribbing.
Change to MC.

Leg
Inc Rnd, Size S only: (K1, p1, k3, M1, k2, p1, M1) around. 60 sts.
Inc Rnd, Size M only: (M1, k1, p1, k3, M1, k2, p1, k2) around. 72 sts.
Inc Rnd, Size L only: (M1, k1, p1, k3, M1, k2, p1, k4) around. 84 sts.

Leg round: Work Cable pattern 6 times around.

Work in pattern as set until you have completed the 12 rounds of the Cable pattern, 4 times, or to desired length.

Heel Flap
Rearrange sts if necessary to work heel flap over the next 30[36, 42] sts.
Leaving MC yarn attached, change to CC1.
Dec Row [RS]: (K 2[2, 2] , k2tog, k 1[2, 3] ) 6 times. 24[30, 36] sts on heel flap.
Turn work so that WS is facing.

Row 1 [WS]: Sl 1, p 23[29, 35] .
Row 2 [RS]: Sl 1, p 23[29, 35] .

Repeat Rows 1–2 13[14, 15] times more, then work Row 1 once more.

Heel Turn:
Row 1 [RS]: Sl 1, k 12[16, 20] SSK, k1, turn. 23[29, 35] sts.
Row 2 [WS]: Sl 1, p 3[5, 7] p2tog, p1, turn. 22[28, 34] sts.
Row 3 [RS]: Sl 1, knit to 1 st before gap, SSK, k1, turn. 1 st dec.
Row 4 [WS]: Sl 1, purl to 1 st before gap, p2tog, k1, turn. 1 st dec.
Repeat Rows 3-4 3[4, 5] times more, until all heel sts have been worked and 14[18, 22] sts remain.
Break CC1.

Gusset
You will now begin working in the round again as follows:

Gusset set-up round: Using still-attached MC, pick up and knit 15[16, 17] sts in slipped sts along right side of heel flap, knit across 14[18, 22] heel sts, pick up and knit 15[16, 17] sts in slipped sts along left side of heel flap, work instep sts according to Cable Chart (next round should be Rnd 1). 74[80, 92] sts - 44[50, 56] sts for sole and 30[36, 42] sts in instep.

This position – the end of the instep – is the new start of round. Arrange sts as you prefer.

Gusset Decreases
Decrease Round: K1, SSK, knit to 3 sts before instep, k2tog, k1, work next round of Cable Chart across instep. 2 sts dec.
Next Round: Knit to instep, work next round of Cable Chart across instep.

Repeat last 2 rounds 9 times more. 54[66, 78] sts. 24[30, 36] sts for sole and 30[36, 42] sts in instep.

Foot
Foot round: Knit to instep, work next round of Cable Chart across instep.
Work even in pattern as set until foot measures approximately 1.25[1.5, 1.75] inches / 3[4, 4.5] cm short of desired finished foot length.

For the tidiest look, end with Round 12 of chart.

If you hit round 12 before your sock is the required length, work Toe Setup Round, then work even in St st until desired length before beginning toe decreases.

Toe
For blue socks, change to CC1.

Setup Round: Knit to instep, (K 2[2, 2] , k2tog, k 1[2, 3] ) 6 times. 48[60, 72] sts.
Knit 1 round, or as needed for desired foot length.

Dec Round: K1, SSK, knit to 3 sts before instep, k2tog, k2, SSK, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 4 sts dec.
Next round: Knit.

Repeat the last 2 rounds 2[4, 6] times more. 36[40, 44] sts remain, 18[20, 22] sts each in heel and instep, then work Dec Round only 5 times more. 16[20, 24] sts.

FINISHING

Break yarn, leaving a tail at least 8 inches / 20 cm long. Arrange sts onto 2 needles if necessary, and graft toe closed.

Wash to block and weave in ends.

Use the chart as a guide to decide where to add the anchor or heart, then duplicate stitch onto the heel flap of the sock, using a small amount of MC for cream sock, or CC2 for blue sock.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

designername Åsa is Lead Designer at Berroco, Inc. She lives with her husband and kids in Rhode Island, where the ocean and beaches remind her of her hometown on the west coast of Sweden.