Date: Sun, 5 Oct 1997 14:03:36 -0400 (EDT)
From: MarRoberts@aol.com
To: Knit@bolis.com
Subject: KNIT: Leaves of Grass gift socks

Hi knittistes :-)

I figured it was time I contributed to the 1997 Knit List Christmas Gift
patterns, so I thought I'd donate my latest sock pattern. It's a light and
airy little anklet with a lacy double overlapping leaves instep panel. I used
Socka Cotton Color, 53% cotton, 32% wool and 15% "polyamide", which I've
always assumed to be the European way of saying "rayon."

The color choice here directly influenced the sock design--it's a pale green
with subtle aqua and purple flecks in it. I immediately thought of leaves
shimmering in the sunlight, and I would suggest using the same yarn for the
same results. Or, at least use a pleasing shade of green.

BW's Second Treasury produced the stitch pattern that I wanted--overlapping
leaves with the stems outlined in yo's. And with an 8-round repeat, it was
quickly memorized and easily executed. I altered BW's pattern a bit so that
the original flat WS rows would work in the round and I adjusted the pattern
to fit into my 32-stitch instep requirement.

I love a lacy eyelet stitch that looks a lot more complex than it actually
is. You need to do about 3 pattern repeats before you see the overlapping
leaves develop. But once you start, it's like eating peanuts. Have fun making
these socks--I'm giving a pair to my sister for Christmas, so maybe now
she'll shut up for once.

Marilyn in NJ
marroberts@aol.com 
THE KNITTING CURMUDGEON: http:/members.aol.com/marroberts/index.html

LEAVES OF GRASS ANKLET SOCKS

Two 50-gm balls of Stahl Wolle Socka Cotton Color #6325 (or any
fingering/sock weight yarn)

Set of four #1 double-pointed needles 
 
Gauge: 7 sts/10 rows = 1" in st st
MAKE A SWATCH AND CHECK YOUR GAUGE or the Swatch Fairy will take all your
stash and turn it into Peeps or some other awful Knit List fixation.

LEAVES INSTEP PATTERN (worked over 32 sts and 8 rnds)

Rnds 1, 3, 5 & 7: P5, k10, p2, k10, p5.

Rnd 2 : P5, k6, ssk, return the resulting stitch to LH needle and with point
of RH needle pass the NEXT stitch over it and off needle; then sl the st back
to RH needle--ssk and pass made; yo, k1, yo, p2, yo, k1, yo, sl 1, k2 tog,
psso, k6, p5.

Rnd 4: P 5, k4, ssk and pass, k1, (yo, k1) twice, p2, k1, (yo, k1) twice,
sl1, k2 tog, psso, k4, p5.

Rnd 6: P5, k2, ssk and pass, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, p2, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, sl
1, k2 tog, psso, k2, p5.

Rnd 8: P 5, ssk and pass, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, p3, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, sl 1,
k2 tog, psso, p5.

Repeat Rnds 1-8 for pattern.

THE SOCK (make 2, as the pattern books always say)
 
CUFF: Cast on 64 sts and divide evenly among 3 needles (21, 21, 22). 
Work in k1, p1 rib until cuff measures 5" or desired length.

HEEL FLAP: K 16 sts; turn.
Next Row: Sl 1 as if to purl, p 31. Place rem 32 sts on one needle.
Row1: Sl 1, *k1, sl 1, rep from * across row.
Row 2 (WS): Sl 1, p across.

Repeat these two rows 15 times more, ending with a WS row.

 
HEEL TURNING:
Row 1: K 16, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 2: Sl 1, p1, p2 tog, p1, turn.
Row 3: Sl 1, k2, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 4: Sl 1, p3, p2 tog, p1, turn.
Row 5: Sl 1, k4, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 6: Sl 1, p5, p2 tog, p1, turn.
Row 7: Sl 1, k6, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 8: Sl 1, p7, p2 tog, p1, turn.
Row 9: Sl 1, k8, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 10: Sl 1, p9, p2 tog, p1, turn.
Row 11: Sl 1, k10, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 12: Sl 1, p11, p2 tog, p1, turn.
Row 13: Sl 1, k12, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 14: Sl 1, p13, p2 tog, p1, turn.

There should be 18 stitches remaining.

GUSSET: K9 (half of heel sts), leave on needle. With new needle (Ndl 
#1), k9, pick up 17 sts along heel flap edge, picking up 1 loop in the 
junction between the heel flap and the instep (this will eliminate 
hole) and knitting into the back of this loop to twist it; with another
needle (Ndl #2), work 32 sts following Rnd 1 of instep pattern; with another
needle (Ndl #3), pick up 17 sts along heel flap edge, again picking up 1 st
in the heel flap junction as before, k 9 heel sts--84 sts total.

Gusset Decs: 

Rnd 1: Work to last 3 sts on Ndl #1, k2 tog, k1; work 32 
instep sts on Ndl #2; at beg of Ndl #3, k1, ssk, work to end.

Rnd 2: Work in pattern around, as established.
Repeat these 2 rnds until you have 16 sts each on Ndls #1 & #3--64 sts 
total.

Continue to work in pattern until foot is 2" short of desired length; 
end with Ndl #3.

WEDGE TOE: (Note: If you prefer and have 5 needles available, you can work a
star toe by moving 16 of the 32 instep stitches onto a 4th needle and then k2
tog at the end of each needle until you have 8 sts rem. Then just thread a
needle and draw the yarn through the sts and secure the end.)

Rnd 1: Knit across Ndl #1 to last 3 sts; k2 tog, k1; at beg of Ndl #2, 
K1, ssk, work to last 3 sts, k2 tog, k1; at beg of Ndl #3, K1, ssk, work 
to end.

Rnd 2: Knit around in st st.

Repeat these two rnds until 16 sts rem. Divide the 16 sts between 2 
needles and Kitchener stitch (graft) them tog. 

(c)1997 Marilyn A. Roberts. This pattern is for individual use only and may
be shared freely between knitters; this notice must be retained on any
copies. It may not be reprinted in any commercial publication or used on any
web site without written permission from the author. 
---
This pattern downloaded from Wool Works: the online knitting compendium
http://www.woolworks.org/