INTRODUCTION

Ellis Road

by Jairlyn Mason

There's a bit of a tradition in my family, of living in converted one-room school houses. Both my mother and grandmother were raised in them. Ellis Road is named after the one my mother grew up in, because knee highs remind me of back to school.

Although many schools may be closed this school year, knee highs will still be great at combatting those Fall and Winter breezes. Wear them with your favorite dress or skirt in Fall. Then tuck them under your jeans or PJ's when the weather gets colder.

Socks are worked in the round from the top down, with short row heel, and wedge toe.
Cuff shaping helps them stay in place. The short row heel in MC can easily be worked in a contrast color to match the toe, or swapped for your favorite heel technique.

The stranded colorwork sections have short repeats, and use 1 or 2 colors per row. Loosely carry unused colors up inside of sock, and catch with working yarn at start of round, if carried more than 1 inch/2.5 cm.

photos: Roxanne Morganti

SIZE

Adult XXS[XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL
]

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Foot/Ankle circumference:  6[7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10] inches/ 15[17.5, 18.5, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25] cm
Circumference at fullest part of calf:  8[9.25, 10.75, 12, 13.25, 14.75, 16, 17.25] inches/ 20[23, 26.5, 30, 33, 36, 40, 43] cm – notes are provided for adjustment
Leg length:  12[12, 13, 13, 14, 14.5, 15, 15] inches/ 30[30, 32.5, 32.5, 35, 36.5, 37.5, 37.5] cm, or adjustable to preference

Choose a size based on foot circumference, choosing a size with approximately 1 inch of negative ease. Because these socks have a short-row heel without gusset shaping, feet with a larger relative measurement around the instep should choose a larger size. If the calf measurement is not appropriate for your foot size, you can adjust – see Pattern Notes.

MATERIALS

Yarn
[MC] Yarning for You Bruce's Revenge Fingering [80% wool, 20% nylon/polyamide; 387y/354m per 100g skein]; color: We Have Nukes, Knives and Sharp Sticks; 1[1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2] skeins
[CC1] Malabrigo Sock [100% Superwash Merino Wool; 440y/402 m per 100g skein]; color: Natural; 1 skein
[CC2] Urth Harvest Fingering [100% Merino; 430y/400m per 100g skein]; color: Buckthorn; 1 skein
[CC3] Knit Picks Stroll [75% Merino, 25% Nylon/polyamide; 231y/211m per 50g skein]; color: Dove Heather; 1 skein

Or

Fingering-weight sock yarn of your choice:
[MC] 300[350, 375, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600] yd/ 275[320, 345, 370, 410, 460, 500, 550] m
[CC1] 60[80, 80, 100, 100, 100, 120, 140] yd/ 55[75, 75, 90, 90, 90, 110, 130] m
[CC2] 30[30, 30, 30, 40, 40, 50, 50] yd/ 30[30, 30, 30, 35, 35, 45, 45] m
[CC3] 20[30, 30, 30, 30, 40, 40, 50] yd/ 20[30, 30, 30, 30, 35, 35, 45] m
Note: Heel and Toe, each require approx.: 30[30, 30, 30, 40, 40, 50, 50] yd/ 30[30, 30, 30, 35, 35, 45, 45] m

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 set US #0/2mm needles for small circumference in the round
1 set US #1/2.25mm needles for small circumference in the round

Notions
stitch markers
yarn needle

GAUGE

36 sts/48 rnds = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch
36 sts/48 rnds = 4 inches/10 cm in stranded color work using larger needles

PATTERN NOTES

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

Adjustments for Customized Sizes:
To work a different size foot than calf, work additional leg decrease rounds for a smaller foot, or fewer decrease rounds for a larger foot, then continue in St st once desired foot circ is achieved. When following directions for All Sizes, work to measurements listed, then follow instructions for chosen foot size.

Work the Cuff and Colourwork sections as written, for the Calf size chosen. Once the colourwork is completed, decreases are worked on the leg to reduce to the stitch count for the foot. At this point, you can adjust – working more or fewer decreases to hit the required stitch count.

Techniques:

• Short rows: text | video
• Grafting: text | video

CHARTS

DIRECTIONS

Cuff
With CC1 and smaller needle, CO 60[72, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 132] sts. Join for working in the round and note or mark start of round.

Ribbing round: (K2, p2) around.
Work ribbing as set for 12 rounds total.
Do not break CC1 yarn.

Rounds 1-6: With MC, knit.

Next round, increase for calf shaping: (K 5[6, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11] sts, LLI) 12 times. 72[84, 84, 96, 108, 120, 132, 144] sts.

Note: In the following instruction, you're told to place a marker for the center of the round. Depending on the needles you're using, you may prefer to divide the sts at this point, creating a virtual marker.

Next round, place markers for pattern: With MC, knit 36[42, 42, 48, 54, 60, 66, 72] sts, pm for center of round, k to end.

Change to larger needles.

Rounds 1-3: Joining CC2 on rnd 2, Work Chain Chart 24[28, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48] times around.
Rounds 4: With MC, knit.

Sizes -[-, S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL] only:
Round 5: (K -[-, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12] sts, LLI) 12 times. -[-, 96, 108, 120, 132, 144, 156] sts.

Sizes XXS[XS, -, -, -, -, -, -] only:
Round 5: Knit.

Note: Do a fit check at this point! Check your fit before proceeding. Sock should pull snuggly over the fullness of your calf, and sit comfortably at the top of your calf with ribbing just below knee. A second fit check after round 14 is recommended.

All Sizes:
Rounds 6-12: Joining CC3 as required, work Right Feather Chart 18[21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39] times around.
Rounds 13-14: With MC, knit.
Rounds 15-17: Work Chain Chart 24[28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52] times around.
Rounds 18-19: With MC, knit.
Rounds 20-21: With CC1, knit.
Rounds 22-23: With MC, knit.
Rounds 24-30: Work Left Feather Chart 18[21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39] times around.
Break CC3 yarn.
Round 31: With MC, knit.
Round 32, decrease round: With MC, (k 10[12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24] sts, k2tog) 6 times. 66[78, 90, 102, 114, 126, 138, 150] sts rem.
Rounds 33-35: Work Chain Chart 22[26, 30, 34, 38, 42, 46, 50] times around.
Break CC1, and CC2 yarn.
Round 31: With MC, knit.

Change to smaller needles.

Size -[XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL] only:
Round 32, decrease round: (K -[11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23] sts, k2tog) 6 times. -[72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 132, 144] sts rem.

Leg
Work even for 1 inch/2.5 cm.

The instructions below refer to markers – this may be actual markers, or you may be keeping track by distribution of stitches. There is one at the midpoint of the round, and one at the end.

Next round, leg decrease: (K2, k2tog, k to 4 sts before marker, ssk, k2) twice. 4 sts decreased.
Work 11[11, 11, 11, 9, 7, 7, 5] rounds even in St st.
Rep last 12[12, 12, 12, 10, 8, 8, 6] rounds 2[1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12] more times. 54[64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 92] sts rem.

Size -[-, -, -, -, -, XXXL, ] only:
Next round, decrease: (K2, k2tog, k to marker) twice. -[-, -, -, -, -, -, 90] sts rem.

All Sizes:
Work even in St st until work measures 12[12, 13, 13, 14, 14.5, 15, 15] inches/ 30[30, 32.5, 32.5, 35, 36.5, 37.5, 37.5] cm from CO edge, or 1.75[2, 2, 2, 2.25, 2.25, 2.5, 2.5] inches/ 4.25[4.5, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 5.5, 6, 6.25] cm from bottom of foot.

Short Row Heel
Right Sock ONLY setup: Heel is worked flat on first 27[32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 45] sts. Rem 27[32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 45] sts are held for instep.

Left Sock ONLY setup:
Knit across first 27[32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 45] sts, and then place them on hold for instep. Heel is worked flat on rem 27[32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 45] sts.

First half:
Row 1 [RS]: Knit to 1 st before m, w&t.
Row 2 [WS]: Purl to 1 st before m, w&t.
Row 3: Knit to 1 before previously wrapped st, w&t.
Row 4: Purl to 1 before previously wrapped st, w&t.
Rep last 2 rows 7[9, 9, 10, 11, 11, 12, 13] more times, until you have 9[11, 11, 12, 13, 13, 14, 15] wraps each side, and 9[10, 12, 12, 12, 14, 14, 15] unwrapped sts rem.

Second half:
Row 1: Knit to first wrap, pick up the wrap and work it together with its st, w&t.
Row 2: Purl to first wrap, pick up the wrap and work it together with its st, w&t.

Row 3: Knit to double wrapped st, pick up both wraps and work them together with their st, w&t.
Row 4: Purl to double wrapped st, pick up both wraps and work them together with their st, w&t.
Rep last 2 rows 6[8, 8, 9, 10, 10, 11, 12] more times. 1 double wrapped rem each side.

Resume working in the round as follows:

Right Sock ONLY – Round 1: Knit to double wrapped st, pick up both wraps and work them together with their st, pm, knit across 27[32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 45] held instep sts. This is the new start of round. 54[64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 90] sts.

Right Sock ONLY – Round 2: Pick up both wraps and work them together with their st, k to end.

Left Sock ONLY – Round 1: Knit to double wrapped st, pick up both wraps and work them together with their st, replace start of rnd marker.

Left Sock ONLY – Round 2: Knit across 27[32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 45] held instep sts, pm, pick up both wraps and work them together with their st, k to end. 54[64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 90] sts.

Foot
Work even in St st until work measures 2.75[3.25, 3.25, 3.25, 3.5, 3.5, 3.75, 3.75] inches/ 7[8, 8, 8, 8.5, 9, 9, 9] cm less than desired finished foot length.

Note: For -[XS, S, -, L, XL, -, -] adjust stitch count for pattern as follows:

Sizes -[XS, -, -, L, -, -, -] :
Next Round, dec for pattern: K2tog, k to end. 1 st dec, -[63, -, -, 75, -, -, -] sts rem.

Sizes -[-, S, -, -, XL, -, -] :
Next Round, inc for pattern: RLI, k to end. 1 st inc, -[-, 69, -, -, 81, -, -] sts.

Change to larger needles.

All sizes:
Rounds 1-3: Joining CC2 on rnd 2, Work Chain Chart 18[21, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 30] times around.
Round 4: With MC, knit.

Sizes -[-, -, M, -, -, XXL, -] :
Next round: With MC, knit.

Note: For sizes XXS[XS, S, -, L, XL, -, XXXL] adjust stitch count for foot as follows:

Sizes XXS[-, -, -, -, -, -, XXXL] :
Next round: (RLI, k to marker) twice. 2 sts inc, 56[-, -, -, -, -, -, 92] sts.

Sizes -[XS, -, -, L, -, -, -] :
Next round: RLI, k to end. 1 st inc, -[64, -, -, 76, -, -, -] sts

Sizes -[-, S, -, -, XL, -, -] :
Next round: K2 tog, k to end. 1 st dec, -[-, 68, -, -, 80, -, -] sts rem.

Rounds 6-12: Joining CC3 as required, Work Right Feather Chart 14[16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23] times around.

Break CC2 and CC3 yarns.
Change to smaller needles.

With MC, work 2 rounds in St st.
Break MC yarn.

Toe
With CC1, work even in St st for 2[4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 6, 6] rnds, or until foot measures 1.5[1.5, 1.75, 1.75, 2, 2, 2, 2] inches/ 3.5[3.5, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5] cm less than desired finished foot length.

Round 1, toe decrease rnd: (K1, k2tog, k to 3 sts before m, ssk, k1) twice. 4 sts dec.
Round 2: Knit.
Rep last 2 rounds 7[8, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9] more times. 24[28, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 52] sts rem.
Rep Round 1 1[2, 2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5] more times. 20[20, 20, 24, 24, 24, 24, 32] sts rem.

Graft toe closed.

FINISHING

Weave in ends using duplicate stitch technique on color work sections to maintain best stretch. Trim ends to 1-quarter inch to avoid them popping though to RS.
Yarns can be split and one or both halves woven in to reduce bulk, if desired.

Gently hand wash, soaking 3-5 minutes till yarns are relaxed and colorwork sections lay smoothly. Roll in towel to remove excess moisture. Reshape and dry flat.

If there is any puckering in the colorwork sections – not uncommon, and not a mistake, it's a standard side effect of stranded colorwork knitting, you can touch up colorwork sections with steam as follows:
Using a steam iron or garment steamer, and being careful not to touch the fabric with the iron, saturate fabric with steam. Holding fabric in both hands tug along horizontal and vertical axes till stitches are even and colorwork lays smoothly. Repeat if necessary. Allow fabric to relax back into shape and lay flat to cool.

Work a few inches of fabric at a time as the steam quickly cools and evaporates.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

When not engaged in a fibery pursuit, Jairlyn enjoys tending the veggie patch, or seasons not permitting, growing lettuce in the living room.

She can occasionally be found wandering through the woods with her husband and their 3-legged dog, Macy.

Pattern & images © 2021 Jairlyn Mason