Liberty Socks

Liberty Socks
By Linda Walsh

A pattern to be used with Lorna's Laces Liberty Yarn. The pattern is a repeat of 6 stitches and the right and left socks are mirror images of one another. The pattern is written for Shepherd Worsted weight yarn, changes for Shepherd Sport and Shepherd Sock weight yarns in parentheses.

Abbreviations:

KB
RT
LT
K2tog
K2TBL
P2tog

Knit into the back loop of the stitch, twisting it
Place the first stitch on a cable needle and hold to the back, knit the second stitch, knit the stitch from the cable needle
Place the first stitch on a cable needle and hold to the front, knit the second stitch, knit the stitch from the cable needle
Knit the next two stitches together through the front loops (a right leaning decrease)
Knit the next two stitches together through the back loops (a left leaning decrease)
Purl the next two stitches together

Materials:
Lorna's Laces Liberty Yarn 1 (2,2) skeins, size 5 (3, 1) double pointed needles or as desired for a fabric you prefer (this patterning results in a slightly more dense fabric), markers, yarn needle.

Leg pattern, right leg

Row 1   Knit 5, purl 1
Row 2   Knit 1, RT, RT, purl 1
Row 3   Knit 5, purl 1
Row 4   RT, RT, Knit 1, purl 1

Leg pattern, left leg

Row 1   Knit 5, purl 1
Row 2   LT, LT, knit 1, purl 1
Row 3   Knit 5, purl 1
Row 4   Knit 1, LT, LT, purl 1

Heel pattern (slip all stitches as if to purl)

Row 1   Slip the first stitch, *knit 1, slip 1* repeat between * to last stitch, end knit 1
Row 2   Slip the first stitch, purl remaining stitches
Row 3   Slip the first stitch, knit two, *slip one, knit one* repeat between * to last two stitches, end knit two
Row 4   Repeat row 2

Liberty Socks

Cast on 48 (54, 60) stitches, using three or four needles, as desired, join and knit one row.

Set up rows

Row 1   *Slip the next stitch as if to knit, purl one* repeat
Row 2   *KB, slip the next stitch as if to purl* repeat
Work KB, purl 1 ribbing for 24 (28, 30) rows or to desired cuff length.
Begin leg patterning and work for an additional 48 (54, 60) rows or desired leg length.

Divide for heel shaping

Place 27 (31, 33) stitches on hold for instep, arranging the stitches so the instep stitches begin with one knit stitch, a purl stitch, the pattern repeats and end with one knit stitch. You may leave the stitches on the needles or move them to a waste yarn, as desired.

Place the remaining 21 (23, 27) stitches on a single needle increasing one stitch by picking up the bar between stitches after the tenth (twelfth, fourteenth) sttich and place it on the neeedle, 22 (24,28) stitches. When working this added stitch knit into the back of it to twist it and be sure you have placed the stitch where it will be knitted, not slipped, on the first row of the heel flap. Work flat as directed for 20 (24, 28) rows.

Turn the heel as follows; knit to two stitches past the center, K2tog, knit one, turn. Slip the first stitch as if to purl and purl 5, P2tog, turn. Slip the first stitch as if to purl, knit to the last stitch worked on the previous right side row, knit that stitch together with the next stitch and knit the next stitch, turn. Slip the first stitch as if to purl and purl to the last stitch worked on the previous wrong side row, purl that stitch together with the next stitch and purl the next stitch, turn. Repeat this shaping
until all the stitches are taken up.

Shape the gussets, as follows, pick up into the edge stitches along the left side of the heel flap, place a marker and work in pattern across the instep stitches, place a marker and pick up along the right side of the heel flap, knit across the heel stitches. Begin to decrease the gusset stitches by working decreases as follows, * knit to two stitches before the first marker, k2tog, slip marker, work across instep stitches in pattern, slip marker, K2TBL, knit to the marker, slip marker, work instep in pattern, slip marker, KB, repeat from * until the original 48 (54, 60) stitches have been resumed.

NB: by twisting the stitch that will be decreased after the marker on every other row you get a much more crisp mirror imaged decrease line

Continue keeping the instep stitches in pattern, the sole in stockinette stitch for desired foot length less two inches. Replace markers to divide the sole and instep equally into 24 (27, 30) stitches each.

Toe shaping-

Right foot Work to three stitches before right side marker, K2tog, knit one, slip marker, knit one, K2B. Knit one row even using a KB for the stitch to be decreased after the right side marker, slipping the left side marker. Repeat to one inch short of desired length. Decrease as established before and after both markers to 12 (16, 20) stitches remaining. Kitchener toe closed.

Left foot Work to three stitches before left side marker, K2B, knit one, slip marker, knit one, K2tog. Work one row even. Repeat as for right foot, reverse shaping.

9/14/01 Linda E. Walsh, CJTWofers, written to be used with the Lorna's Laces Liberty colorway yarns for the
benefit of the Salvation Army. Permission for any other charitable use is freely given.

Questions: e-mail needling@jps.net or call 707.748.4469