Knitty: little purls of wisdom
Simply Sock Yarns
Title
beauty shot

Tangy

“Come on baby let's do the twist. Take me by my little hand and go like this.” Chubby Checker

Like a good story, Twisted starts out predictably and then takes a turn. These reversible socks look great in any yarn but are particularly stunning when made with colorful, hand-painted sock yarn. The purled background with a Twisted-slip rib breaks up color pooling.

An unusual pattern on the heel adds both texture and color distribution.

As a final surprise, the ribbing on the foot begins on the outer gussets and twists around to the big toes.

 

You can even wear them inside out to show the details on the knit side.You’ll have to choose which side you prefer. It’s a tough choice but either way your feet will look fabulous.

Not only is Twisted reversible and suitable for almost any sock yarn, it also provides an incredibly wide range of sizes for men, women and children. Finally, for a professional finish, directions for making sock blockers are included.

spacer photos: Jodie Lucas, Ryan Lucas

SIZE
XXS[XS, S, M, L, XL]
Pictured in sizes XXS and M.
Sizes refer to the circumference of the sock. Twist can accommodate any foot length.

When choosing sock size keep in mind the following general guidelines:

  • Children aged 3 to 7 [6 to 11, 10 to 14] years roughly correspond with sizes XXS[XS, S]
  • Women’s narrow [average, wide] feet correspond with sizes S[M, L].
  • Men’s narrow [average, wide] feet correspond with sizes M[L, XL].

If your sock needs to accommodate proportionally larger ankles or feet prone to swelling (edema) then choose one size larger than you would based on foot width alone.

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FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Circumference: 4[5, 6, 7, 8, 9] inches unstretched before blocking; 5[6, 7, 8, 9, 10] inches unstretched after blocking.
Foot length is adjustable to fit.

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MATERIALS
Yarn

spacer Simply Socks Yarn Company [80% superwash wool, 20% nylon; 175 yds/191 m per 50g skein]; color Wasabi; 1[2, 2, 2, 3, 3] skeins. Socks pictured [ABOVE] are size M on US women’s size 8.5 feet and used 90g.

spacer South West Trading Company Tofutsies [50% superwash wool, 25% soysilk fibers, 22.5% Cotton, 2.5% Chitin; 465yds/425m per 100g skein]; color 927; 1[1, 1, 1, 1, 2] skeins. Socks pictured are size M on US women’s size 10 feet and used 77g.

spacer Ella Rae Lace Merino [100% Extra fine Merino; 460yds/420m per 100g skein]; color 102; 1[1, 1, 1, 1, 2] skeins. Socks pictured are size M on US women’s size 8.5 and 10 feet and used 81g.

spacer Brown Sheep Yarn Company Cotton Fine [80% Pima Cotton, 20% Wool: 222 yds /203 m per 50g skein]; color CW840 Lime Light; 1[2, 2, 2, 2, 3] skeins.  Socks pictured are size XXS on US girl’s size 11.5 and used 36g.

Note: 100g of sock yarn will make 4 to 5 XXS socks and 3 to 4 XS socks.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
spacer 1 set US #1/2.25mm  double-point needles
OR
spacer 1 US #1/2.25 mm long circular needle for magic loop method
OR
spacer 2 US #1/2.25 mm circular needles for two-circulars method

Notions
spacer Yarn needle
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spacer sock blockers (directions for making sock blockers are provided in the finishing section)

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GAUGE

The number of stitches per row is more important than the number of rows per inch. The yarns used had equal stitch gauges but different row gauges. Gauge swatches were worked in stockinette stitch in the round.

38 stitches/50 rounds = 4 inches with Simply Sock before blocking.
32 stitches/44 rounds = 4 inches with Simply Sock after blocking.

38 stitches/45 rounds = 4 inches with Tofutsies before blocking.
32 stitches/41 rounds = 4 inches with Tofutsies after blocking.

38 stitches/52 rounds =4 inches with Ella Rae before blocking.
32 stitches 49 rounds =4 inches with Ella Rae after blocking.

38 stitches/ 51 rows=4 inches with Cotton Fine before blocking.
32 stitches/ 49 rows=4 inches with Cotton Fine after blocking.

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

Twisted-slip rib (worked in the round)
Round 1: [K1, p3]. Rep across.
Round 2: [Sl1, p3]. Rep across.
Rep Rounds 1 and 2.
See Pattern Note 4 below about working decreases in this pattern.

Yfwd: Bring yarn to the front, as if to purl.

Slp: Slip st purlwise. If working right side row yarn is held in back.  If working wrong side row yarn is held in front. See Pattern Note 1.

Sl2p2tog: Sl 2 stitches knitwise one by one. Return these stitches one by one to the left needle. Purl the 2 twisted stitches together.

Editor's note: the following pair of increases are not the same as Cat Bordhi's RLinc and LLinc.

RLLI: Right-leaning lifted increase. Insert right needle into the purl bump below the first stitch on the left needle. Lift this bump onto the left needle and work in pattern. See fine points on dealing with these new stitches in an italicized note in the pattern.

LLLI: Left-leaning lifted increase. Insert left needle under the second bump below the last stitch on the right needle. Lift this bump onto the left needle and work in pattern. See fine points on dealing with these new stitches in an italicized note in the pattern.

  1. If your socks are for a child or youth who is on the cusp of two sizes you can make the following adjustments to the smaller size: First, work one additional repeat of the 4 heel flap rows.  Then, when working the Reestablishing Round pick up an additional 2 stitches on each side of the heel flap. Finally, when decreasing incorporate those 4 additional stitches into the first round.  An easy way to do this is to knit two stitches, work the row as written, then work two more stitches to the end of the round.  Finally, you will need to work two more repeats of the decrease rounds ending with the number of stitches initially cast on.  This modification, which makes it easier to pull the sock over the heel, is particularly useful for kids who have very thin legs and long feet.

  2. Unless otherwise indicated (i.e. as slp) all slipped stitches are slipped knitwise with the yarn held behind the work. This causes the stitches to twist, and is the key feature of the Twisted-slip rib.

  3. Because the first stitch on the needle is often a slipped stitch, minor ridges can develop between needles. This is normal and can be smoothed out with blocking. Major ridges mean the tension is too loose.

  4. Pay attention to the yarn position when working the heel flap. Yarn is moved to the front before slipping to create a woven pattern.

  5. To ensure reversibility, be careful when picking up stitches along the edge of the heel flap.  Insert the point of the needle picking up under the full slipped stitch—that is, under both strands of the stitch.  This will ensure that the pickup is tidy on both sides.

  6. When a stitch needs to be both slipped and decreased to keep with the established pattern, first work the decrease. Then, slip the resulting stitch back to the left needle. Finally, slip the stitch knitwise to the right needle to twist it so the Twisted-slip rib continues.

  7. When making a sock for a very short foot it may be necessary to begin the toe prior to the end of the decrease/increase rounds (left foot) or increase/decrease rounds (right foot).  Stopping early in this portion of the foot will not affect the construction of the toe in any way. You can continue on to the toe after completing a decrease round that joins two slipped (or knit) stitches. Remember to remove all but the beginning of round markers prior to working the toe.

  8. Sock length is a matter of personal preference. A good minimum length for an adult sock is half an inch less than foot length. For a child’s foot it is preferable to knit the sock up to half an inch longer than the foot to allow room to grow.

DIRECTIONS


^ Simply Socks Yarn Company solids [color: wasabi] shown on size 10 feet^
Cuff
Loosely CO 40[48, 56, 64, 72, 80] stitches. Join to work in the round being careful not to twist stitches. Note or mark the beginning of the round.

Work in Twisted-slip rib until cuff measures 4.5[5.5, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8] inches from cast on edge. End with round 1.

Heel Flap
Set up row for Left Sock: K first stitch of next round.  Turn work. Sl stitch just worked, p19[23, 27, 31, 35, 39] stitches. Heel flap is worked over these 20[24, 28, 32, 36, 40] stitches.

Set up row for Right Sock: Turn work. Sl1, p19[23, 27, 31, 35, 39] stitches. Heel flap is worked over these 20[24, 28, 32, 36, 40] stitches.

Row 1 [RS]: Sl1, [k1, yfwd, sl1], rep until 1 st remains, p1.
Row 2 [WS]: Sl1, p19[23, 27, 31, 35, 39].
Row 3 [RS]: Sl1,  k2, [yfwd, sl1, k1], rep until 1 st remains, p1.
Row 4 [WS]: Rep row 2.
Rep Rows 1 to 4 7[7, 8, 8, 9, 9] more times.

Turn Heel:
Row 1 [RS]: Sl1, k12[14, 16, 18, 20, 22 ], SSK, k1, turn.
Row 2 [WS]: Slp 1, p7, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 3 [RS]: Slp 1, k8, SSK, k1, turn.
Row 4 [WS]: Slp 1, p9, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 5 [RS]: Slp 1, k10, SSK, k1, turn.
Row 6 [WS]: Slp 1, p11, p2tog, p1, turn.

Size XXS Only
Row 7 [RS]: Sl1, k13. 14 stitches.
Continue to Reestablishing Round.

Size XS Only
Row 7 [RS]: Slp 1, k12, SSK, k1, turn.
Row 8 [WS]: Slp 1, p13, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 9 [RS]: Sl1, k15. 16 stitches.
Continue to Reestablishing Round.

Size S Only
Row 7 [RS]: Slp 1, k12, SSK, k1, turn.
Row 8 [WS]: Slp 1, p13, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 9 [RS]: Slp 1, k14, SSK, k1, turn.
Row 10 [WS]: Slp 1, p15, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 11 [RS]: Sl1, k17. 18 stitches.
Continue to Reestablishing Round.

Size M Only
Row 7 [RS]: Slp 1, k12, SSK, k1, turn.
Row 8 [WS]: Slp 1, p13, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 9 [RS]: Slp 1, k14, SSK, k1, turn.
Row 10 [WS]: Slp 1, p15, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 11 [RS]: Slp 1, k16, SSK, k1, turn.
Row 12 [WS]: Slp 1, p17, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 13 [RS]: Sl1, k19. 20 stitches.
Continue to Reestablishing Round.

Size L Only
Row 7 [RS]: Slp 1, k12, SSK, k1, turn.
Row 8 [WS]: Slp 1, p13, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 9 [RS]: Slp 1, k14, SSK, k1, turn.
Row 10 [WS]: Slp 1, p15, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 11 [RS]: Slp 1, k16, SSK, k1, turn.
Row 12 [WS]: Slp 1, p17, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 13 [RS]: Slp 1, k18, SSK, k1, turn.
Row 14 [WS]: Slp 1, p19, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 15 [RS]: Sl1, k21. 22 stitches.
Continue to Reestablishing Round.

Size XL Only
Row 7 [RS]: Slp 1, k12, SSK, k1, turn.
Row 8 [WS]: Slp 1, p13, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 9 [RS]: Slp 1, k14, SSK, k1, turn.
Row 10 [WS]: Slp 1, p15, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 11 [RS]: Slp 1, k16, SSK, k1, turn.
Row 12 [WS]: Slp 1, p17, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 13 [RS]: Slp 1, k18, SSK, k1, turn.
Row 14 [WS]: Slp 1, p19, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 15 [RS]: Slp 1, k20, SSK, k1, turn.
Row 16 [WS]: Slp 1, p21, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 17 [RS]: Sl1, k23. 24 stitches.

Reestablishing Round: Pick up and knit 18[18, 20, 20, 22, 22] stitches along the edge of the heel flap; work instep in established pattern; pick up and knit 18[18, 20, 20, 22, 22] stitches along the second edge of the heel flap; knit 7[8, 9, 10, 11, 12] stitches from the heel. 70[76, 86, 92, 102, 108] stitches. Place marker for beginning of the round.


^ Brown Sheep Cotton Fine [color: lime light] on left; Ella Rae Lace Merino [color: 102] on right and below ^v
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LEFT SOCK
See Pattern Notes 6 through 8.

Round 1: K22[23, 26, 27, 30, 31] stitches, k2tog,  place first marker for start of pattern stitch; k1, work instep in established pattern for 18[22, 26, 30, 34, 38] stitches, k2tog, place decrease marker; [p3, k1] 4 times, place third marker for end of pattern stitch; k9[10, 13, 14, 17, 18]. 36[40, 44, 48, 52, 56] stitches worked in Twisted-slip rib between first and third markers. 32[34, 40, 42, 48, 50] stitches worked in stockinette.

Rounds 2 & 3: K to first marker; work in Twisted-slip rib as established to third marker; k to end of round.

Round 4: K to 2 stitches before first marker, k2tog; work instep in established pattern to 2 stitches before decrease marker, k2tog; continue working in established pattern to third marker; K to end of round.

Rep Rounds 2-4 13[12, 13, 12, 13, 12] more times until 40[48, 56, 64, 72, 80] stitches remain. 22[27, 30, 35, 38, 43] stitches between first and third markers.

Rep Round 2 twice more.

Left Sock decrease/increase round: K to first marker; work in Twisted-slip rib as established to 2 stitches before the decrease marker, k2tog; continue in established pattern to 2 stitches before the third marker, RLLI, work 2 stitches before third marker in established pattern; k to end of round.

Round 2:  K to first marker; work in Twisted-slip rib as established to the third marker; k to end of round.

Alternate two previous rounds, working the new stitches into the Twisted-slip rib pattern.

Note: New stitches created by the increases should be treated as a continuation of the Twisted-slip rib. When there are 3 purls between the last knit stitch and the new stitch then the new stitch is knit. If the current round of the twisted rib requires that stitch to be slipped, return it to the left needle after it is knit and then slip it.  For sizes XS, M and XL only, on the final repeat of the decrease/increase round (left foot) and increase/decrease round (right foot) working in pattern would call for knitting the new stitch.  However, this would create an unsightly narrow band of ribbing along the outer edge. Therefore, this stitch is purled. At the completion of the increase rounds there will be 4[5, 4, 5, 4, 5] purls between knit stitches in the outermost column of ribbing.

Unless you have very short feet (see Pattern Note 7), work until only 1 stitch remains between the first pattern marker and the decrease marker.

The toe of the sock accounts for approximately .75[.75 1, 1, 1.25, 1.25] inches of the total length of the sock.  After completing the decrease/increase rounds work the extending round (below) as required until the foot reaches the desired length. On final round prior to working the toe, remove all markers except the beginning of round marker. Record the number of extending rounds worked to refer to when making the right sock.

Extending round: K to first pattern marker; work in twisted-slip rib to third marker; k to end of round.  The decrease marker is no longer needed – you can remove it.


^ SWTC Tofutsies [color: 927]^
TOE
Toe decrease set up round: K7[9, 11, 13, 15, 17], k2tog, k1, place first marker; p1, sl2p2tog, work in pattern for 14[18, 22, 26, 30, 34] stitches, p2tog, p1, place second marker; k1, SSK, k to end of round.

Toe decrease round: K to 3 stitches before first  marker, k2tog, k1; p1, sl2p2tog, work in pattern to 3 stitches before second marker, p2tog, p1; k1, SSK, k to end of round.

Repeat Toe decrease round until 8 stitches remain.
Cut yarn and thread end through remaining stitches. Pull tight. Take to wrong side of your choice and secure.

RIGHT SOCK
See Pattern notes 6 through 8.

Round 1: K9[10, 13, 14, 17, 18], place first marker for start of pattern stitch; [k1, p3] 4 times, place decrease marker; SSK, work 18[22, 26, 30, 34, 38] stitches in established pattern, k1, place third marker for end of pattern stitch; SSK, k22[23, 26, 27, 30, 31] stitches to end of round. 36[40, 44, 48, 52, 56] stitches in Twisted-slip rib pattern between first and third markers; 32[34, 40, 42, 48, 50] stitches worked in stockinette.

Rounds 2 & 3: K to marker; work in Twisted-slip rib as established between first and third markers; k to end of round.
Round 4: K to first marker; work instep in Twisted-slip rib as established to decrease marker; SSK, continue working in established pattern to third marker; SSK, k to end of round.

Rep Rounds 2-4 13[12, 13, 12, 13, 12] more times until 40[48, 56, 64, 72, 80] st remain. 22[27, 30, 35, 38, 43] stitches between first and third markers.

Rep Round 2 twice more.

Right Sock increase/decrease round: K to first marker; work two stitches in established pattern, LLLI, work in pattern to decrease marker; SSK, work in pattern to third marker; k to end of round.

Round 2: K to first marker; work in Twisted-slip rib as established to third marker; k to end of round.

Alternate two previous rounds, working the new stitches into the Twisted-slip rib pattern as for Left Sock.

Unless you have very short feet (see Pattern Note 7), work until only 1 stitch remains between the decrease marker and the third pattern marker.

Work foot to final length and complete toe as for left sock.


^ Simply Socks Yarn Company solids [color: wasabi] - purl side out on left, knit side out on right^

FINISHING
Weave in ends on the preferred “wrong” side. Soak socks in cold water until they are saturated. Gently squeeze to remove excess water. Slip the damp socks onto sock blockers and let dry.

To make sock blockers you will need a large sheet of paper (like wrapping paper) and either corrugated cardboard (good for about 10 uses) or 1/4 inch plywood. Trace the lower profile of your foot on to the paper starting at the big toe, following along the sole, around the heel and up to the mid-calf. This is Line 1. Draw Line 2, representing the upper part of the foot parallel to and 2.5[3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5] inches away from Line 1. Line 3 begins at Line 1. It bisects the angle created by the heel and extends past Line 2 by .5[.5, .75, .75, 1, 1] inch. This is the widest point of the foot. Draw an alternate Line 2 from the end of Line 3 and extending approximately 2 inches in either direction to meet the original Line 2. Round off the toes, flatten the arch and even out “wiggles” in your lines. Cut out your sock blocker pattern. Trace the pattern onto the cardboard or plywood and cut out. Be sure all edges are smooth before using.

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ABOUT THE DESIGNER

designernamespacer If you’re reading this in Knitty then “THANKS” must be said
To the amazing Cookie, I nod my head.
You freed my thinking, you opened the box
And now thanks to you, I adore wild socks!
To anyone else wishing to greet me,
I am “Jodiemom”. See you on Ravelry.

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