by Wei S. Leong

This pattern came about from my desire to knit self-striping sock yarn in a way that was more interesting to knit than a plain vanilla sock. Was there a way to incorporate a pattern that utilized the unique properties of self-striping yarn?

While I was pondering this idea, I came across a stitch pattern that used slipped stitches in stranded colorwork. It got me wondering: what if I used a self-striping yarn instead of separate yarns to create this effect?

These socks are the result! The pattern is formed by slipped stitches that take into account the color changes in one skein of self-striping yarn, creating a colorwork pattern! No fumbling with different colored yarns required! An afterthought heel keeps the stripe pattern intact.

This sock appealed so much to my inner knitting geek that they are named after the feeling experienced from completing this project: geeky joy!

This pattern is specifically suitable for self-striping sock yarn with solid stripes. Yarn with differing widths of stripe are suitable as long as there are at least three rounds of the same color per stripe.

SIZE
Adult S[M, L, XL]

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Foot circumference: 7[7.5, 8, 8.5] inches
Foot length: Adjustable to fit.
Leg length: Adjustable

MATERIALS
Yarn
Cream stripe version:
Happy-go-knitty [100% BFL; 437yd/400m per 100g skein]; color: Moss/Brown/Cream; 1 skein

Citrus version:
Stray Cat Socks [75% wool, 25% nylon; 437yd/400m per 100g skein]; color: That 70s vibe

Limestone (green/grey) version:
Doespins Hand dyed self- striping merino and nylon sock 4 ply [80% merino, 20% nylon; 390yd/360m per 100g skein]; color: Limestone; 1 skein

Note: If you wish to work a much longer foot or leg, you may require additional yarn. You can also work the cuff, heel and toe in a complementary solid to save having to buy another skein.

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 for working small circumference in the round: DPNS, 1 long circular or 2 short circulars

Notions
Waste yarn for afterthought heel
2 stitch markers
yarn needle

GAUGE

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

self-striping yarn knit in plain stockinette vs the pattterning created by following the chart below

To create the effect seen in this pattern, you will need a self-striping yarn with a minimum of three rounds per stripe when worked in stockinette. Any number of colored stripes (even rainbow!) will work as long as you are able to complete the first three rows of the chart in every color change.

In the Limestone version of this sock (green/yellow/gray, shown below), you can see that each color stripe has a different width. The Citrus sock has even thin stripes, and the green/brown/cream has thicker stripes.

Note that there is no fixed beginning of round in this pattern. Once you have completed the ribbing and have begun the first color in the chart, follow the chart for the pattern but watch for the color change point in your working yarn. The color change point is your beginning of round. Narrower stripes will have fewer solid color repeat rounds (indicated as row 3) and wider stripes will have more.

Gently smooth out the slipped stitches in row 1 as you would when working stranded colorwork. This will keep the fabric even and give a better fit. Or, block them when complete.

Note on Color Pattern: Start working the chart when you reach the start of a new color in the stripe pattern. Work the first two rows as set, and then work even in stockinette stitch until you reach the end of the stripe. Note that you might not start (or end) the chart at the start of the round.

Kitchener Stitch
Instructions for Kitchener stitch can be found here.

Tips for Adjusting the Fit of the Heel
If the fit is tight over your ankle, rip back to the beginning of the heel and pick up 2 or 3 extra stitches in each gap between the front and back sides to add width.

If the heel is too long, experiment with altering the frequency of the decrease rounds to achieve the right length for your heel.

If the heel is too pointy, rip back one or two rounds, and graft 12[14] stitches on each side instead, or rip back one round to the decrease round and Kitchener Stitch at this point.

DIRECTIONS
Cuff
Cast on 64[68, 72, 76] sts. Distribute sts across needles as you prefer and join for working in the round.

Ribbing round: [K2, p2] around.

Work ribbing as set for 1.25 inches.

Work in stockinette as required until you reach the end of the current stripe in your yarn. This might not be the start of the round.

Leg
At this point, start working Color Pattern chart. Continue to work the chart until the cuff measures approximately 6 inches, or desired leg length. Ideally, you want to place the heel in the center of the current stripe: if the stripe is only three or four rounds wide, then end after working a single plain stockinette round; if the stripe is wider, end in the center of the stripe.

Setup for afterthought heel: K32[34, 36, 38]; using waste yarn, k32[34, 36, 38]. Slip those 32[34, 36, 38] sts back to the left needle and work them again in the project yarn.

Note: You will need to line the toe stitches up with the position of the heel stitches. Place a marker or arrange your stitches so that you will be able to work to this location.

Instep and sole
Continuing in Color Pattern, work in the round until the foot measures 1.75[2, 2, 2.25] inches less than desired length, ending on chart row 2 to preserve the look of the stripe.

To set up for toe, work in stockinette to start of heel stitches. The first 32[34, 36, 38] sts form the sole, and the rem 32[34, 36, 38] sts form the instep.

Toe (worked in stockinette)
Decrease round: K1, ssk, k to 3 sts before end of heel, k2tog, k2, ssk, k to 3 sts before end of instep, k2tog, k1.
Following round: Knit.
Repeat the last 2 rounds 11[12, 12, 13] times, until 20[20, 24, 24] sts rem.

Using Kitchener stitch, graft toe closed.

Afterthought heel
Gently remove the waste yarn from the stitches, putting the stitches back on to two needles (top and bottom) as you go. There will be 32[34, 36, 38]sts on each needle (side one and side two).

Use a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of each respective side. The heel edges must match the toe edges. Distribute sts across needles as you prefer and join for working in the round; join the yarn, starting on the color you choose. All rounds are in stockinette.

For two smallest sizes only: Knit two rounds.
If you find there is a large gap between the front and back edges, pick up the yarn running between the stitches at the gap, and knit that strand through the back loop together with the next stitch. This should help close the gap.

For two largest sizes only:Knit one round, picking up two stitches between the gap on each side as you go (76[80] stitches). Make sure that there are 38[40] stitches positioned on each side (the edges must align with the toe edges) before you begin the heel shaping.

For all sizes:
Decrease round: K1, ssk, k to 3 sts before end of side one, k2tog, k2, ssk, k to 3 sts before end of side two, k2tog, k1. 4 sts decreased.
Following round: Knit.
Repeat the last 2 rounds 10[11, 12, 13] more times, until 20[20, 24, 24] sts rem.

Before you break the yarn, ease the sock over your foot and check that the heel is the right fit.

Once you are satisfied with the fit of the heel, graft the heel closed.

FINISHING
Weave in all loose ends. Blocking is optional, although recommended for a perfect finish.

Wei S. Leong is a die-hard knitter and wool lover based in the Wellington region of New Zealand. She is currently particularly obsessed with knitting and designing socks in indie yarns. You can find more of her designs on Ravelry. Visit her blog where she raves about New Zealand yarns, life and knitting.

With many thanks for the technical advice of Karen Berthine and some wonderful test knitting from Karen Mackay.