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December 08, 2006
Spindle socks
Working socks on 52 sts - in a heavier-than-usual yarn, on slightly larger needles - makes a substantial time saving. I'll be making another two pairs of these before Christmas. They're called spindle socks because the slipped cable stitch reminds me of those turned wooden stair spindles; it's the same cable stitch used for the Badcaul socks, adapted and rearranged for the lesser stitch count. Like the Badcauls, this stitch is perfect for cabling without a cable needle - which will also cut down on the time spent. A six round pattern repeat keeps things bowling along nicely.
Materials
Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino 50 g (125m/136 yards), 2 balls
2.75mm (US 2) circular needle 80 cm long (for magic loop), (or two shorter circulars or set of 5 dpns) or size to obtain correct guage.
Stitch marker
Cable needle (optional)
Tapestry needle for finishing
Size
To fit up to woman’s UK shoe size 8 (EU42, US 10.5), approx 23 cm (9 inch) circumference, slightly stretched.
Gauge
6.5 sts in stocking stitch (stockinette) to 2.5 cm (1 inch)
Abbreviations
Sl1: slip next stitch with yarn held at back of work
C3B: slip next 2 sts onto cable needle and hold at back of work. K next st, K 2 from cable needle
C3F: slip next st onto cable needle and hold at front of work. K next 2 sts, K 1 from cable needle
k2tog: knit two stitches together
ssk: slip next two stitches as if to knit, return both to left needle, knit together (or use your preferred left-leaning decrease)
p2tog: purl two stitches together
tbl: through the back loop
Cable stitch pattern
Rnd 1: P 1, (K 3, P 1) 3 times. Rpt to end of rnd.
Rnd 2: As Rnd 1.
Rnd 3: P 1, (Sl 1, K 2, P 1) 3 times. P 1, (K 2, Sl 1, P 1) 3 times. Rpt to end of rnd.
Rnd 4: As Rnd 3.
Rnd 5: P 1, (C3F, P 1) 3 times. P 1, (C3B, P 1) 3 times. Rpt to end of rnd.
Rnd 6: As Rnd 1.
Instructions
Cast on 52 sts over two needles. Remove spare needle and divide sts between circular(s) or dpns and join for working in the round, taking care not to twist. Place marker to show beginning of round.
Work Rnds 1 and 2 only of cable stitch pattern until 14 rows total have been worked. Cont from Rnd 3 of cable stitch pattern until 7 cables have been worked, ending with Rnd 6.
Heel is worked back and forth over first 26 sts.
Heel flap: Row 1: (RS) (Sl 1, K 1) to end. Turn work.
Row 2: Sl 1, P to end.
Rpt these two rows 12 times more, ending with row 2: 26 rows worked: 13 slipped sts along each side of flap.
Turn heel: Row 1: (RS) K15, ssk, K1, turn.
Row 2: Sl1, P5, P2tog, P1, turn.
Row 3: Sl1, K6, ssk, K1, turn.
Row 4: Sl1, P7, p2tog, P1, turn.
Cont as set until all sts have been worked (don’t work single st after decrease in last two rows), ending with Row 2. (14 sts)
Gussets
(for two circs or magic loop) Knit across heel sts, and using the same needle pick up and knit 13 sts from slipped sts at side of heel flap, and 1 st in corner of heel flap and instep sts – 14 sts picked up.
Using second needle, work 26 instep sts in cable stitch pattern. Using same needle, pick up and knit 1 st in corner of heel flap and instep, and 13 sts from slipped sts at side of heel flap – 14 sts picked up. Slip the 14 sts just picked up to 1st needle: 42 sts on needle 1 (heel and gussets), 26 sts on needle 2 (instep).
Knit to end of first needle, then work across instep sts in cable stitch pattern. Place marker to show start of Rnd.
(for dpns) Knit 7 heel sts (needle 1). Using new needle (needle 2), knit 7 heel sts, then pick up and knit 13 sts from slipped sts at side of heel flap, and 1 st in corner of heel flap and instep sts – 14 sts picked up.
Using needle 3, work 26 instep sts in cable stitch pattern. Using needle 4, pick up and knit 1 st in corner of heel flap and instep, and 13 sts from slipped sts at side of heel flap – 14 sts picked up. With same needle, work 7 heel sts from needle 1.
Knit to end of needle 2, then work across instep sts in cable stitch pattern. Place marker to show start of Rnd.
Both versions:
K 1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts of heel/gusset sts, k2tog, K 1. Work across 26 instep sts in pattern. 2 sts decreased. Work 1 rnd even. Rpt last 2 rnds until 52 sts rem.
Foot
Cont as set, working sole of foot in st st and instep in cable stitch pattern until foot measures 4 cm (1.5 inches) less than desired finished length, ending with Rnd 6.
Toe
K 1, ssk, K 20, k2tog, K 1. Rpt to end of rnd. 4 sts decreased (2 each on instep and sole).
Work 1 rnd even.
K 1, ssk, K 18, k2tog, K 1. Rpt to end of rnd. 4 sts decreased (2 each on instep and sole).
Work 1 rnd even.
Rpt last as set until 16 sts remain, then work decrease rnds only until 8 sts rem. Break yarn, leaving a long tail.
Kitchener toe. Weave in ends.
Posted by Anna at December 8, 2006 05:55 PM
Comments
Thanks for a lovely pattern. I have printed it out and have the yarn in stash, so my sister-in-law's present is sorted - well, once I've actually knit them...
We met once at Westenders Stitch and Bitch when I was a raw beginner and in awe of the complicated pattern you were knitting! Maybe see you there again some time?
Posted by: tricia at December 8, 2006 06:52 PM
Lovely! Just a heads up though. 2.75 mm is a US 2, not a US 1.
Posted by: miriam at December 8, 2006 06:56 PM
Sweet!
Posted by: nikki at December 8, 2006 07:17 PM
Thank you for sharing your pattern. Like all your work, very lovely
Posted by: jp at December 8, 2006 07:44 PM
Wonderful socks and thanks for the pattern too!
Posted by: Roxanne at December 8, 2006 07:58 PM
Lovely socks!
Another question re sargeant pepper... do I need to use DPNS for the white trim? I hate using them and wondered if normal needles do the same thing? I know i need dpns for the i cord
Posted by: minxxy at December 8, 2006 08:02 PM
is that dk weight or lighter? i love them!
Posted by: margaux at December 8, 2006 08:54 PM
They look beautiful! Thanks for the pattern!
Posted by: --Deb at December 8, 2006 11:37 PM
Lovely as always!! :)
I think your patterns are the bulk of my knitting queue for the new year!
Posted by: Leah at December 9, 2006 01:40 AM
Lovely as always!!
I think your knitting patterns make up the bulk of my queue for the new year! ;)
Posted by: Leah at December 9, 2006 01:43 AM
Fantastic! Thank you for the pattern. I've been so worried about finding gifts for several people on my Christmas list. This is just the remedy.
Posted by: Daphne at December 9, 2006 02:26 AM
Thanks for the pattern! Always good to find something else to make with my heavier "sock" yarn...
And thanks for the link to the wedding pics too :-)
Posted by: lynne s of Oz at December 9, 2006 04:09 AM
thank you! thank you! what a lovely pattern!
Posted by: laura at December 9, 2006 11:45 AM
mmmmm, these look really comfy and warm! especially with baby cashmerino! thanks for the pattern.
Posted by: gleek at December 9, 2006 03:19 PM
Thank you very much for this beautiful pattern. I bought some yarn to make socks for my mother for Christmas, and I was in a quandry as to what pattern to use. Problem solved! Thanks. And a fast knit too.
Posted by: bernie at December 9, 2006 03:38 PM
Thanks for the pattern - I happen to have some cashmerino aran in my stash!
Posted by: Lydia/Windansea at December 9, 2006 06:52 PM
Thank you for the pattern, I have been wondering what to get my sister for her birthday on New Years Day, and you provided me with the perfect thing! I know she'll be delighted. and I get the fun of making them over the christmas holidays. your work is absolutly superb!
Posted by: Tracy at December 9, 2006 07:18 PM
Thank you! I look forward to using some DB Baby Cashmerino.
Posted by: Terry at December 10, 2006 12:35 AM
Anna,
Simply beautiful socks, as usual :) xxx
Posted by: Annarella at December 10, 2006 02:31 AM
thank you for sharing - it's sweet of you!
Posted by: debbie at December 10, 2006 06:53 AM
Thanks Anna. Beautiful socks. I have exactly the right yarn in my stash at the moment!
Posted by: Susan at December 10, 2006 11:35 AM
Thank you again for such a lovely pattern and quick knit at this time of year.
Posted by: carol at December 10, 2006 02:24 PM
Flicka also is beautiful.
I've been trying to track back to your post on the Bianca jacket. What type of yarn are you using?
Posted by: Janet at December 10, 2006 05:09 PM
Wow - these socks make my toes curl. I am always so impressed with those that can turn yarn into something more than a scarf...that's as far as I have pushed myself.
Posted by: krystin at December 10, 2006 08:50 PM
So warm and toasty. There is nothing better than handknit socks this time of year :)
Posted by: emily elizabeth at December 10, 2006 10:15 PM
Very nice socks. I've got quite a bit of a steely blue Baby Cashmerino in stash waiting for something like this. Thank you, Anna!
Posted by: Siri at December 11, 2006 01:52 AM
Well, this was felicitous. I just finished a baby sweater and have three balls of Cashmerino left over.
Thanks!
Posted by: Ruth at December 11, 2006 04:53 AM
Thanks for the pattern - looks beautiful and I look forward to trying it out.
Posted by: acrylik at December 11, 2006 01:14 PM
Oh I like them! For a moment, I thought from their name that they were knitted from spindle-spun yarn, and I was about to fall over.
Posted by: Heather at December 11, 2006 02:39 PM
Oh I like them! For a moment, I thought from their name that they were knitted from spindle-spun yarn, and I was about to fall over.
Posted by: Heather at December 11, 2006 02:39 PM
Lovely as always, Anna. Oh, it pains me that my sock yarn stash is a thousand kilometres away right now.
Posted by: jodi at December 11, 2006 06:40 PM
Lovely! And here was me just looking for a cable sock pattern..
Thank you!
Posted by: Alison at December 11, 2006 07:00 PM
Gorgeous! I have a skein of slightly heavier-weight sock yarn that will be perfect for these... thanks so much for the great pattern. :)
Posted by: Elizabeth at December 11, 2006 11:44 PM
Just lovely! What a nice holiday gift from you this pattern is.
Posted by: Birdsong at December 12, 2006 03:17 AM
Thank you so much for a lovely pattern!
Posted by: Lin at December 12, 2006 01:01 PM
Very nice. And in time for the colder weather when slightly heavier socks are needed. I like the pale yellow color as well. Makes me think of my childhood when yellow was my favorite color. My room was yellow, my blanket was yellow. Even our house was yellow.
Posted by: Sybil at December 12, 2006 09:37 PM
The socks look great! Thank you for the pattern. :)
Posted by: Katya at December 15, 2006 09:46 PM
I knit my first spindle sock, but I need some clarification on the toe. Knitting it as it is written created a very pointy LONG toe, decreasing only 2 stitches every other row . . . what am I doing wrong?
Posted by: melissa Wright at December 21, 2006 03:18 PM
Love the socks! Thanks for sharing the pattern.
Posted by: Sandy at December 31, 2006 05:29 AM