Quietish

a sockish homage to Fred and George Weasley

When I was presented with the challenge of making a pair of socks out of 2 different colors of sock yarn in single-sock denominations, the first thing that came to mind was stripes of course. My planning also quickly included a jogless-stripe and the switching of the main color in the second sock to make sure there was enough yarn for each sock. They’re knit from the same pattern but not quite identical, much like the Weasley twins.

This pattern was written in magic-loop method, but can easily be done with double-pointed needles if preferred.

Size:
Circumference shown: 8″ unworn
Lengthen the foot or leg as neccessary, or lengthen the heel flap longer/shorter and change the number of stitches picked up along the side appropriately.

Materials:
• 2 colors, one skein each of Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock [80% Superwash Wool, 20% Nylon; 215 yards] Shown in Denim and Cedar.
• 1 40″ US#1 (2.5mm) circular needle, or size needed to obtain gauge.
• stitch markers
• tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Gauge:
34 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Abbreviations:
kfb - knit into the front and the back of the stitch
k2tog - Knit 2 together.
tbl - Through the back loop.
ssk - Slip 1 stitch, slip another stitch, place left needle through the front of the slipped stitches and knit them together.

Stripe Pattern:
Work 2 rounds in contrast color (CC).
Work 2 rounds in main color (MC).

Notes on jog-less jog:
The method I use for jog-less stripes is one I find helps keep gaps from forming at the color changes as well. On the first round of the new color, knit into the first stitch and pull through a loop of each color. Make sure not to pull too tight or you will end up with a pucker along the seam. On the second round, knit the two loops in the first stitch together. Knit a few stitches and then tug on the previous color’s tail just a bit to make close up the hole.

Toe:
Choose your main color for the first sock (left sock) and work your favorite toe-up toe until you have 68 stitches total, or use the following toe:

Using Judy’s Magic Cast-On, cast on 28 stitches.

Round 1: Knit plain.
Round 2: [K1, kfb, K to last stitch of that half of the needle, kfb, K1] 2 times

Knit those two rounds until you have 68 stitches.

(Note: For second (right) sock, switch your MC and CC and begin toe with new MC.)

Foot:

left sock:
Work Stripe Pattern 13 times or length desired, making sure to end with main color.
Your “seam” will be on the right side of the sock (the inside of your foot).

right sock
Work 34 stitches of foot in CC, then work Stripe Pattern 13 times or length desired.
Your seam will be on the left side of the sock (the inside of your foot).

Heel Flap:

left sock:
Work across first 1/2 of stitches (34), leaving the second half parked on one side of your magic-loop.
Row 1: In CC, slip 1, knit to end.
Row 2: In CC, slip 1, purl to end.
Row 3: In MC, slip 1, knit to end.
Row 4: In MC, slip 1, purl to end.

Work rows 1-4 five more times.

right sock:
Heel flap is worked back over the last 1/2 of the last round.
Row 1: In CC, slip 1, purl to end.
Row 2: in CC, slip 1, knit to end.
Row 3: In MC, slip 1, purl to end.
Row 4: In MC, slip 1, knit to end.

Work rows 1-4 five more times.
Purl one more row.

Turn Heel:
Work heel turn in MC.

Row 1: K21, k2tog, k1, turn work.
Row 2: Slip1, p11, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 3: Sl 1, k to gap, k2tog, k1, turn.
Row 4: Sl 1, p to gap, p2tog, p1, turn.

Work rows 3 and 4 until all you’ve worked across all stitches and 22 stitches remain on heel.

Gusset:
(Note: Work stripe pattern and work gusset at the same time. For reference, your decrease rows in the gusset should fall in the second round of each color stripe.)

In MC, knit across 11 stitches of heel. This will be the new beginning of the round. Your “seam” will fall in the back of the leg. Stripe Pattern begins again, starting with CC.

Arrange your magic loop so that your needles are in the start position and the second 1/2 of the loop come out in the middle of the top of your foot.

Knit 11 stitches, then pick up 14 stitches including one in the corner between heel flap and the top of the foot. Place marker.

Knit across the top 34 stitches. Place marker.

Decrease round: K to three stitches before the marker, k2tog, k1, sm. Knit top stitches plain, sm. K1, ssk, k to end.
Rest round: Knit plain. (Rest round should be first round of the next color.)

Repeat decrease and rest rounds until there is a total of 68 stitches once again.

Continue in Stripe Pattern, ending in MC, until there are 14 repeats total after the heel or to desired length. Watch your yarn to make sure you have enough MC left for the cuff ribbing.

Cuff:
In MC, work K2, P2 ribbing for an inch and 1/2 or to desired length.
Bind off very loosely. (I like Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Sewn Bind-Off.) Weave in ends. Put them on, dance enthusiastically, and set off some Weasleys’ Wild-Fire Whiz-Bangs.