Seaweed Socks

These are my sock a month KAL socks from last month... I finally wrote up the pattern, so here it is:

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Circumference: 8 inches unstretched
Foot length: 8.5 inches, unstretched
Cuff height: 6.5 inches

MATERIALS
1 skein Happy Fuzzy Yarn Sock Yarn (80% wool, 20% nylon; 425 yds/4 oz. skein)
1 set US size 1/2.25 mm double pointed needles
tapestry needle

GAUGE
36 sts/48 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch, unstretched

ABBREVIATIONS
BO = bind off
CO = cast on
K = knit
M1 = increase 1, using preferred method
P = purl
K2tog = knit 2 together
Sl = slip
St(s) = stitch(es)
Stst = stockinette stitch

SEAWEED PATTERN, from Barbara Walker’s Second Treasury
Row 1 and 2: *P4, K2, repeat from * across [ending P1].
Row 3 and 4: *P3, K3, repeat from * across [ending P1].
Row 5 and 6: *P2, K4, repeat from * across [ending P1].
Row 7 and 8: P1, *K4, P2, repeat from * across, end K4, P1 [P1].
Row 9 and 10: P1, *K3, P3, repeat from * across, end K3, P2 [P1].
Row 11 and 12: P1, *K2, P4, repeat from * across, end K2, P3 [P1].

DIRECTIONS
Using 2 needles, CO 32 sts using figure-eight cast-on (there will be 16 sts on each needle). Knit 1 round even.

Work increase round as follows: * K1, M1, K to 1 st from end of first needle, M1, K1, then repeat from * on second side.
Knit 1 round even, without increases.
Repeat these 2 rounds 9 times more: 72 sts.

At some point, it will become easier to work these sts on 3 or 4 needles (with an additional needle to knit sts onto). I think it’s more stable to use 3 needles and knit onto a 4th, but some people find that it’s easier to avoid ladders if they use 4 sts and knit onto a 5th. If you use four needles, the start of the round/one side of the foot will be at the beginning of needle 1, and the other side of the foot will be after needle 2. If you use three needles, the start of the round/side of the foot will still be at the beginning of needle 1, but the other side of the foot will be in the middle of needle 2—I like to put a marker there so I don’t accidentally continue the stitch pattern onto the sole of the foot.

Foot:
On the next round, you will begin working the seaweed pattern on the top of the foot (the first 36 sts). However, in order to center the pattern, you’ll need to work it over 37 sts, always purling the last stitch. To set this up, work row 1 of the pattern 5 times as *P4, K2, repeat from * across. On the next repeat, P4, K1, then increase by knitting into the front and back of the next st. Knit the remaining 36 sts on this round.

Continue without further increases, working the first 37 sts in seaweed pattern, including the last P1 in brackets, and the second 36 sts in stst. Stop at the beginning of a round, on either row 5 or 11, when the foot measures 7 inches from the toe, or about 1.5 inches less than desired length.

Heel:
Decreasing short rows:
Note: until the last row, the heel is worked back and forth on the second 36 sts.

Work across the first 37 sts in pattern, then:
Row 1: K35. Bring yarn to back of work. Slip unworked st to working needle. Turn work, and slip the unworked st back to the first needle.
Row 2: P34. Bring yarn to front of work. Slip unworked st to working needle. Turn work, and slip the unworked st back to the first needle.
Row 3: Same as row 1, but K33 sts before wrapping and turning work.
Row 4: Same as row 2, but P32 sts before wrapping and turning work.

Continue in this manner, working 1 fewer st before wrapping and turning, until 16 unwrapped sts remain.

Increasing short rows:
Row 1: K to st before the first wrapped st. K this st together with the wrap by sliding the needle through the wrap and the st at the same time. Wrap the next st as in decreasing short rows and turn work.

Row 2: P to the st before the first wrapped st. P this st together with the wrap by sliding the needle through the wrap and the st at the same time. Wrap the next st as in decreasing short rows and turn work.

Repeat these 2 rows, picking up both wraps, until only 1 wrapped st remains on each side of the heel.

Next row (RS): K to st before remaining wrapped st. K this st, together with the wrap. Do not turn, but resume working in the round by continuing on to the next needle in seaweed pattern (starting with row 7 or 1, depending on where you stopped). When next wrapped st is reached, work the wraps together with the st, and continue in seaweed pattern. Work the last 2 sts of the round as a K2tog or P2tog (rather than simple K or P, to reduce the stitch count to 72 again. Note that you will no longer be working the extra P1 in brackets from this point forward.

Cuff:
Continue to work in seaweed pattern till cuff measures 6 inches, or desired length, from top of heel.

Work 6 rounds in K1, P1 rib, then bind off all sts loosely, using preferred method. I like the kitchner bind off, although it’s a pain in the neck. There are some good directions here.

[ETA on 11/26/07: this pattern is also available as a free PDF through The Garter Belt, right here.]