Free Summer Sock Pattern!

Nothing better then cute, flirty summer socks to chase away the humid knitting blues. This is my current favorite pattern, many thanks to my dear lovie, Tasha, for being the inspiration.

SUMMER SOCK HOP SOCK

Yarn: Panda Silk (52% Bamboo, 43% Superwash Merino Wool, 5% Combed Silk), 1 ball, 204 yards
Needles: Size 2 circulars, 32" or longer
Stitch Marker
Gauge: 36 sts per 4" in stockinette stitch

Note: This pattern is written for Magic-Loop. If you are not comfortable with 'looping' you can find videos at Knitting Help: http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/advanced-techniques

CAST-ON
Using your preferred method, cast on 140 stitches. Divide evenly onto 2 needles and join in the round.

CUFF
Rounds 1 - 4: Knit
Round 5: *K2tog, K3tog* (56 stitches remain)

Continue knitting in stockinette stitch for 1" or to desired cuff length. A cuff longer then 1" may require an additional ball of Panda Silk.

HEEL
Using only one needle you will be working 28 stitches. Turn sock so that wrong side is facing.
Row 1: (WS) Sl 1, P 27, turn

Row 2: *Sl 1, K 1*

Repeat these two rows 16 times, for a total of 32 rows.

then repeat row 1 once more.

HEEL TURN

Row 1: (RS) Sl 1, K 16, ssk, k1, turn

Row 2: Sl 1, p 7, p2tog, p1, turn

Row 3: Sl 1, knit to 1 st before gap created by turn on previous row, ssk to close gap (1 st from each side of gap), k1, turn

Row 4: Sl 1, purl to 1 st before gap created by turn on previous row, p2tog to close gap (1 st from each side of gap) p1, turn

Repeat rows 3 and 4 until all stitches have been worked - 18 sts remain.

GUSSET

Set up Row: Knit across working needle, using same needle, pick up 16 gusset stitches, plus pick up one extra stitch between last gusset stitch and work on back needle in order to eliminate any possible holes in your sock.

Switch your loop around and k28, this is the top of your foot. PM and then pick up one stitch between the needle and the first gusset stitch and then pick up the 16 gusset stitches.

You will have more stitches on one needle then the other, but that's okay. Needle 1 will have 35 sts (18 sts from the heel, 16 from the gusset plus the 1 you picked up from between the needles); Needle 2 will have 45 sts (28 sts across the top of you foot, then your marker, then your 1 extra st from between the needles followed by your 16 gusset sts).

Round 1: Knit all sts.

Round 2: On your first needle, knit to the last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. Switch your loop around. Work across the top of your foot, slip your marker, k1, ssk, knit to end of needle.

Continue repeating these two rounds until you get back to a total of 56 sts. Your first needle should have 23 sts and your second needle should have 33 sts (28 across the top of the foot sts, your marker and then 5 sts). At this point you are done your decreses. Slip the 5 gusset sts that remain on your second needle back onto the first needle to make a total of 28 sts on each needle.

FOOT

Knit all stitches until sock is 2" shorter then desired length of foot.

TOE

Round 1: (even round) Knit

Round 2: (decrease round) Needle 1[top of foot] K1, ssk, knit to 3 sts before the end of needle, k2tog, k1. Needle 2 [bottom of foot] K1, ssk, knit to 3 sts before the end of needle, k2tog, k1 (4 sts decreased).

Repeat rounds 1 & 2 until 16 sts remain (8 on each needle). Graft sts together using the Kitchner stitch.