loumms year of socks

© loutheperson and erqsome knits 2009 Loumms Year of Socks

size: 5 UK/38 European

finished measurements: foot circumference (flat): 7 ½ inches

cuff circumference (flat): 8 ¾ inches

materials: yarn: Malabrigo Superwash Merino Sock (100% superwash merino; 440 yds/100 g), 15 g similar weight contrasting colour

needles: 2.5 mm DPNs, set of 4

notions: cable needle; tapestry needle; yarn for embroidering

gauge: 14 sts /2 inches over stockinette

If you’re looking for the perfect gesture that really spells out how much you love something, we suggest you try putting yarn to needle and whipping up a pair of these fun socks that allow you to add that special touch, all of your own. From ‘I’ll support Arsenal if I have to’, to confessing ‘I don’t wanna lose you tonight’, to grudgingly admitting ‘you are [my] poison’, this pattern will allow you to get the message across.

This Valentine’s Day, bring chocolates, brings roses, and say it with socks.

ps, i love you

loumms year of socks

© loutheperson and erqsome knits 2009 Loumms Year of Socks

cuff Cast on 64 sts. Join in the round and arrange stitches so there are 32 sts on needle 1; 16 sts on needle 2; 16 sts on needle 3.

round 1: * k2, sl2 wyf, repeat from * to end round 2: k all sts

Repeat rounds 1 and 2 for 1.5 inches, then knit 2 rounds even.

leg Using the charted letters and grid provided to write out your message. Be sure to leave one MC column between each letter and at least two MC columns between each word. We worked our lettering over needle 1, with a 1 x 1 alternating colour pattern across the back.

Once chart is complete, knit 2 rounds even.

round 1: needle 1: [p1, k1, p1, k1, p1], k to last 5 sts, [p1, k1, p1, k1, p1]; needles 2 and 3: k all sts round 2: needle 2: [k1, p1, k1, p1, k1], k to last 5 sts, [k1, p1, k1, p1, k1]; needles 2 and 3: k all sts

Continue repeating needles 1 and 2 until leg measures 8 inches from cast-on edge. At the end of the last round, turn so WS facing to begin working heel over needles 2 and 3.

heel turn, part 1 Switch to CC. row 1: p31 to last st, wrap [wyb, sl st from left to right needle, wyf, return st to left needle] and turn row 2: k31 to last st, wrap [wyf, sl st from left to right needle, wyb, return st to left needle] and turn row 3: p to last worked st, wrap and turn row 4: k to last worked st, wrap and turn

Repeat row 3 and 4 until 12 sts remain between wrapped sts.

heel turn, part 2 Picking up your wraps on the same side of the fabric will result in a symmetrical heel – for invisible wraps, lift wrapped stitches to needle on the public side on both the knit and the purl rows.

row 1: k to first wrapped st, pick up wrap, ktbl2tog [wrap, plus st], wrap next st and turn row 2: p to first wrapped st, pick up wrap, p2tog [wrap, and st], wrap next st and turn row 3: k to first double-wrapped st, pick up both wraps, ktbl3tog [both wraps, plus st], wrap next st and turn row 4: p to first double-wrapped st, pick up both wraps, p3tog [both wraps, plus st], wrap next st and turn

Repeat rows 3 and 4 until the final k3togtbl, there will still be a double-wrapped st at the other end of the needle.

Begin working in the round.

Next round: needle 1: continue working in established pattern; needle 2: pick up wraps and k3tog, k to end; needle 3: k all sts (64 sts)

foot Switch back to MC

Continue in established pattern until 2 inches before desired length of foot.

toe Using the same instructions for the heel, work a short-row toe. Bind off by turning the sock inside out and working a three-needle bind off:

Line up the foot stitches with the stitches from the last row of the toe.

* insert needle through the first stitch of both the front needle and the back needle, p2tog; repeat with the next pair; BO, repeat from * to end

loumms year of socks

© loutheperson and erqsome knits 2009 Loumms Year of Socks

finishing Embroider your image across front of leg; see instructions below un how to achieve your desired image.

Weave in ends, then block lightly under a damp towel or on sock blockers.

embroidering your embellishment While your image can easily be achieved free-hand (as any mistakes can be simply pulled out again), you may want to sketch out your image on paper before you begin.

DUPLICATE STITCH: As seen on Louisa’s socks, in aubergine and fiery orange, a Duplicate Stitch replicates the stitches of the knit fabric beneath it.

Insert needle from the back into the bottom of the stitch that you want to duplicate, leaving at least a 2-inch tail. Pull it through and insert into the two loops of the above stitch. Pull through and back into the bottom of the stitch.

SPLIT STITCH: As seen on Emma’s socks, in aubergine and lime, the Split Stitch is a more traditional embroidery stitch that creates a thicker line.

Insert needle from the back of the fabric, leaving at least a 2-inch tail. Sew one long stitch, about ¼ cm long, by drawing needle through the front of the fabric. To create the spilt, draw needle through the middle of the stitch you’ve just made and sew another ¼ cm long stitch. Continue in this manner until design is complete.

For both methods, you’ll want to pull the thread so that it lies flush against the fabric of your sock without leaving it too tight. Looser is better!

abbreviations BO = bind off

CO = cast on

k = knit

k2tog = knit two together

p = purl

p2tog = purl two together

RS = right side of work

sl = slip stitch

st(s) = stitch(es)

WS = wrong side of work

wyb = with yarn back (i.e. as if to purl)

wyf = with yarn forward (i.e. as it knit)

loumms year of socks

© loutheperson and erqsome knits 2009 Loumms Year of Socks

Emma and Louisa live in South-east London with their very patient partners who have learned to live with the madness.

This pattern is part of the Loumms Year of Socks and cannot be distributed without permission.

Questions and comments should be directed to loummsmail@googlemail.com.

alphabet Note, the following charts are top down.

a =

b =

c =

d =

e =

f =

g =

h =

i =

j =

k =

l =

m =

n =

o =

p =

q =

r =

s =

t =

u =

v =

w =

x =

y =

z =

loumms year of socks

© loutheperson and erqsome knits 2009 Loumms Year of Socks