Bitey Socks Pattern
As part of the Sock Knitters Anonymous “Sockdown” challenge, I designed a “monster sock” to use up leftovers from other patterns. I intended to have them use up different yarns, but it turns out I only needed two colours for each sock - Knitabulous Softsock in merlot and Noro Kureyon in s150.
The pattern is fairly simple, and I intend to write it up properly once I have two socks finished, but I thought I would share it here now. Basically, it is a top-down sock with a flap heel and wedge toe, using a slip stitch pattern that shows up as “monster teeth.”
Bitey Socks
Can you see the teeth?
Divide your leftovers into two piles (A and B) - light and dark, red and blue, cool and warm. Whatever works for you.
These are (essentially) striped socks using one yarn from each of your groups. When you run out of one colour, then add in another yarn from the same group. You can choose to divide your leftovers so that you maintain the same colours in each sock, or keep them separate.
Slip Stitch Pattern:
nb. All slip stitches are slipped purlwise with the yarn in back.
R1-3:Knit in A
R3 (with colour B): *K1, slip stitch purlwise* rpt until end of row
R4: (B): *K2, slip 1, K1. Rpt from * until end of row
R5+6 (B) knit all stitches
Repeat from row 1. This forms pattern for the entire sock.
The Pattern
Cast on 64 stitches on 2.5mm needles with A. (you will need more stitches than you normally need due to the stranded, in a multiple of 4)
Work K1 P1 rib for 20 rows, 3cm or desired length.
Knit one row in yarn A.
Work bitey slip stitch pattern until leg is desired length. End immediately before a row where you will use the colour group you are planning to use for the heel (A or B).
Heel:
Work flap heel on 32 stitches.
R1: sl1 (purlwise), k1 across flap
R2: sl1 (purlwise), purl across flap
Repeat rows one and two until flap is desired length (or 32 rows), ending on purl row
Turn heel:
R1: Sl1, knit 16, K2tog, k1, turn
R2: sl1, P3, P2tog, P1, turn
Continue in this fashion until all heel stitches have been turned.
Pick up one stitch in each slipped stitch along edge of heel flap. The total amount doesn’t matter, but note it. It will be about half the number of heel flap rows worked.
Work across instep in pattern.
Pick up the same number of stitches along second half of heel flap. You may have to fudge a bit.
Continue in pattern along foot. I kept plain stripes on the bottom of the foot and maintained the slip stitch pattern on the instep only. Keep the instep stitches on one needle and the sole stitches on one or more needles.
Decrease gusset:
Next row (decrease row): Knit to end of sole, stopping 3 stitches before start of instep. K2tog k1 one. Work instep in pattern. (next needle) K1, SSK, finish round.
Work one row without decreases.
Alternate decrease row and plain row until you have 64 stitches total.
Continue in pattern until sock is desired length.
Work toe using wedge decreases.
