Sturdy hiking socks made from British wool, to weather the elements on the hills and mountains, named after the town at the foot of Snowdon that is a popular destination for walkers and climbers.
Knitted at a smaller gauge than usual to accomodate a pure wool yarn, these socks are warm, stretchy, and will wick moisture from your feet as well as any hitech performance material.
Designed for use in hiking boots, they have an eye of partridge heel for additional reinforcement and the smooth ribbing hugs your leg all the way up without the need for tight elastic cuffs.
MATERIALS
2 skeins Angels & Elephants Hand Dyed Shetland Sock Wool (100% shetland wool; 220 metres // 241 yards per 50g) in Tintagel,
or woolrich 4ply yarn that works to gauge;
Double-pointed needles, or preferred needle for working small circumferences, that gets you gauge;
5 stitch markers;
Tapestry needle.
GAUGE
34 sts x 48 rows = 10cm // 4″
in stockinette worked in the round, washed;
38 sts x 48 rows = 10cm //4″
in 3×1 rib (unstretched) worked in the round, washed;
Recommended needle size = 2mm // US0;
SIZING & DIMENSIONS
16cm // 16.25” circumference (unstretched) around leg and foot OR custom;
ABBREVIATIONS
k = knit;
ktbl = knit through the back loop;
k2tog = knit the next 2 stitches together at the same time (1 stitch decreased);
m = marker;
pm = place marker;
p2tog = purl the next 2 stitches together at the same time (1 stitch decreased);
sl = slip the stitch as if to purl;
sl m = slip marker;
ssk = slip the next 2 stitches as if to knit, replace them on LH needle as they appear, and knit them together (1 stitch decreased);
sts = stitch(es).
DIRECTIONS
LEG
Cast on 64 sts using a medium-stretchy method, e.g. longtail, thumb.
Join to work in the round. Pm for start of round.
Ribbing: * K 2, p 1, k 1, repeat from * to end of round.
Work in ribbing for 64 rounds or until leg measures 13cm // 5″, or desired length.
K the first st onto the last needle.
HEEL FLAP
Stitches are worked back and forth over 27 sts in Eye of Patridge heel stitch.
Row 1 [RS]: * Sl 1, k 1, repeat from * twelve more times, k 1.
Row 2 [WS]: Sl 1, p 26.
Row 3 [RS]: K 1, * sl 1, k 1, repeat from * twelve more times.
Row 4 [WS]: Sl 1, p 26.
Repeat rows 14 nine more times.
HEEL TURN
Stitches are worked back and forth in short rows, gradually consuming the heel flap stitches using decreases.
Row 1 [RS]: Sl 1, k 15, ssk, k 1, turn work.
Row 2 [WS]: Sl 1, p 6, p2tog, p 1, turn work.
Row 3 [RS]: Sl 1, k 7, ssk, k 1, turn work.
Row 4 [WS]: Sl 1, p 8, p2tog, p 1, turn work.
Repeat in this manner until all the heel flap stitches are worked.
Next row: K 9, pm for new start of round.
PICK UP GUSSET STITCHES
Round 1: K 9, pick up and k 20 from selvedge edge down the side of heel flap, pm, work instep sts as set, pm, pick up and k 20 from selvedge edge up the side of heel flap, k to end of round.
Round 2: K 9, ktbl 17, k2tog, k 1, sl m, work instep sts as set, sl m, k 1, ssk, ktbl 17, k to end of round.
Round 3: K to m, sl m, work instep sts as set, sl m, k to end of round.
Round 4: K to 3 sts before m, k2tog, k 1, sl m, work instep sts as set, sl m, k 1, ssk, k to end of round.
Repeat rounds 3 & 4 until 66 sts remain on the needles.
FOOT
Work as set until foot measures 4cm // 1.5″ less than desired length.
TOE
Decrease instructions are written for use with all needle configurations. 33 sts each for sole and instep. Beginning of round remains the middle of sole stitches.
Decrease round: K to 3 sts before end of sole sts, k2tog, k 2, ssk, k to 3 sts before end of instep sts, k2tog, k 2, ssk, k to end of round.
Even round: K all sts.
Repeat these two rounds until 38 sts remain. Work decrease rounds only until 14 sts remain.
FINISHING
Graft together the stitches held on the needles using a tapestry needle. Weave in ends.
Block gently to the dimensions given in Sizing.