Kit's Basic Socks

MY BASIC SOCKS
by Kit Zerbe

Worsted wt. yarn. I used Online Trend-Collection Linie 157 Tressa, a 100% superwash virgin wool, color #8335.

US size 6 needles—one set of 4

Cast on 40 sts. and divide evenly onto 3 needles (12-16-12). Join in a circle, being careful not to twist the sts. Work in K2, P2 ribbing for 10 rounds.

Continue leg in stockinette st. for 36 rounds.

HEEL FLAP

Place 20 sts. on one needle.

Row 1: Sl1, Purl across

Row 2: Sl1, K1 across

Repeat these 2 rows for a total of 20 rows.

TURN HEEL – 12 STS. REMAINING

Row 1: P12, P2tog, P1, turn

Row 2: Sl1, K5, K2tog, K1, turn

Row 3: Sl1, P6, P2tog, Pl1, turn

Row 4: Sl1, K7, K2tog, K1, turn

Row 5: Sl1, P8, P2tog, P1, turn

Row 6: Sl1, K9, K2tog, K1, turn

Row 7: Sl1, P10, P2tog, turn

Row 8: Sl1, K10, K2tog

GUSSET

With empty needles, pick up 10-11 sts. along one side of heel. With empty needles, knit across needle 2. With empty needle, pick up 10-11 sts. along other side of heel flap. On same needle (this will be needle 3), knit 6 sts. from top of heel flap. Slip other 6 sts. onto needle 1.

GUSSET DECREASE

Round 1: Needle 1: Knit to last 3 sts., K2tog, K1

Needle 2: Knit across

Needle 3: K1, SSK, knit to end

Round 2: Knit around

Repeat these 2 rounds until 40 sts. remain (10-20-10).

Continue foot in stockinette st. for 40 rounds from picked-up sts. at the heel (in other words, your first gusset decrease round will be the first round of 40), or until 1-1/2 inches less than desired foot length.

TOE DECREASE

Round 1: Needle 1: Knit to last 3 sts., K2tog, K1

Needle 2: K1, SSK, knit to last 3 sts., K2tog, K1

Needle 3: K1, SSK, knit to end

Round 2: Knit around

Repeat these two rounds until 16 sts. remain (4-8-4). Knit sts. from needle 1 onto needle 3 (eight sts. each on two needles). Graft toe together using the Kitchener st.