by Rachel Coopey

These cuff down socks were inspired by the structure and clean lines of leaves and buds in the spring, the left and right socks mirror each other, with and lace leaf motif running down one side of the leg and a pattern of buds running down the other. The gentle green color of the yarn is perfect for socks which take inspiration from the slow, soft unfurling of foliage.

The name is pronounced “flow-em”.

SIZE
Adult Small - Foot circumference 7.5-8 inches [Large - Foot circumference 9-10 inches]

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

MATERIALS
Yarn
The Knitting Goddess Merino Nylon Sock [75% superwash merino. 25% nylon; 464yd/424m per 100g skein]; color: Emerald; 1 skein


Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #1.5/2.5mm needles for working in the round

Notions
yarn needle

GAUGE

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

Wyif: With yarn in front

Wyib: With yarn in back

Wrap 3: Insert right needle into third st on left needle and draw this st over first 2 sts on left needle, and off the needle; k1, yo, k1.

5-3 dec: Ssk, k1, k2tog, 2 sts decreased.

1-5 inc: K, p, k, p, k in to next stitch, 4 sts increased.

CDD: Centered double decrease: slip 2 sts as if to k2tog, k1, pass the 2 slipped sts over.

Grafting: Instructions for grafting can be found here.

There are different Cuff and Main charts for the Left and Right socks.
The heels and toes are worked the same way for both socks. 

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

cuff small • cuff large • main chart small • main chart large

DIRECTIONS
Cuff
Cast on 68[80]. Distribute stitches as you prefer and join to work in the round – be careful not to twist.

Cuff round: Work appropriate size & appropriate leg Cuff Chart twice across round.

Work the Cuff chart 3 times then work Rounds 1 & 2 of the Cuff Chart once more.

Leg
Leg round: Work appropriate size/appropriate leg Main Chart twice across round.

Work the Main chart 3 times in total.

Heel Flap
The heel flap will be worked back and forth on the second half sts of the round.

Turn so that WS is facing.

Row 1 [WS]: Sl1 wyif, p33[39]

Row 2 [RS]: (Sl1 wyib, k1) 17[20] times.

Repeat these 2 rows 15 times more, then work Row 1 once more.

Heel Turn
Continuing on the heel stitches:
Row 1 [RS]: Sl 1 pwise wyib, k18[22], ssk, k1, turn
Row 2 [WS]: Sl 1 pwise wyif, p5[7], p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 3 [RS]: Sl 1 pwise wyib, k6[8], ssk, k1, turn
Row 4 [WS]: Sl 1 pwise wyif, p7[9], p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 5 [RS]: Sl 1 pwise wyib, k8[10], ssk, k1, turn
Row 6 [WS]: Sl 1 pwise wyif, p9[11], p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 7 [RS]: Sl 1 pwise wyib, k10[12], ssk, k1, turn
Row 8 [WS]: Sl 1 pwise wyif, p11[13], p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 9 [RS]: Sl 1 pwise wyib, k12[14], ssk, k1, turn
Row 10 [WS]: Sl 1 pwise wyif, p13[15], p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 11 [RS]: Sl 1 pwise wyib, k14[16], ssk, k1, turn
Row 12 [WS]: Sl 1 pwise wyif, p15[17], p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 13 [RS]: Sl 1 pwise wyib, k16[18], ssk, k1, turn
Row 14 [WS]: Sl 1 pwise wyif, p17[19], p2tog, p1, turn.

Large Only:
Row 15 [RS]: Sl 1 pwise wyib, k20, ssk, k1, turn
Row 16[WS]: Sl 1 pwise wyif, p21, p2tog, p1, turn.
20[24] heel stitches remain.

Gusset round 1: Work in pattern as set across instep sts; ssk, knit until 2 stitches remain, k2tog.

Gusset round 2: Work even in pattern as set.

Repeat these 2 rounds until 68[80] stitches remain; 34[40] each on sole and instep.

Foot
Work even in pattern as set until sock measures 2 inches less than the desired finished length.

Toe
Round 1: Knit

Round 2: K1, ssk, knit until 3 before end of instep, k2tog, k2, ssk, knit until 3 stitches remain, k2tog, k1.

Repeat these 2 rounds until 20[24] stitches remain. Cut yarn, leaving a 12 inch tail. Graft stitches together.

FINISHING
Weave in ends and block.

Rachel loves designing, especially socks; socks are her particular favourites because you can be really intricate and detailed, they are portable so you knit on the go and hand-knitted socks are a delight to wear! 

You can read about her ever growing sock yarn collection and her knitting and spinning adventures on her blog and find her on Ravelry as Coopknit.