I’ve been rather busy the last couple of days – excuse the blog break! But it suddenly dawned on me that my father’s birthday was sneaking up on me and I hadn’t organised a present for him. When I got thinking, I realised it would be nice to knit him some socks. And, given the time frame I wanted to use some of my DK weight sock yarn. A quick survey on Ravelry revealled nothing I was keen to knit, so I thought on it overnight and came up with this sock pattern. I hope he likes it.
Knit from the toe up, this is a super-stretchy 56 stitch pattern – perfect for gift knitting if you don’t know much about the shape of your recipient’s feet. The twisted rib panel flows into a gorgeous twisted rib cable that continues right to the cast off. Although cables aren’t especially masculine, these will usually be hidden by trousers, and I could not resist adding them in: the name of the cable is “Seven Sisters” from the Vogue Knitting Stitchionary 2 (p25) which I adapted for use in the round. And my father has seven sisters (and three brothers). I have called the sock pattern “Jimmy” which is the nickname given to Dad by his sisters.
I am going to load the pattern onto Ravelry and post it below. But, here’s your chance to win another of the colourways I used for my Jimmys… and then you can knit your own. Knit in Fyberspates DK Space Dyed sock yarn, I bought 5 colourways. You an choose from one of three though, I just can’t part with the green hank! Simply add your comment at the bottom of the post to go in the draw. If you’d like more entries, grab another by mentioning the competition in your blog and leave me a message to let me know you’ve done this. Two lucky winners will get the chance to pick their favourite colourway. I am happy to post international, and will also include some extra goodies for my two winners. I will close the competition on Friday evening NZ time and contact the winners to let them know.
From left: Fiesta, Reds and Plums, Pinks and Purples. This yarn is 100% Blue Faced Leicester, hand wash, and has 300m in a 100 gram hank (handily split in two for even winding).
So, without further ado, or to-do, here’s the pattern. Please let me know if you knit it and spot an error: I’ve only tested it on the second sock so far.
Jimmy
Toe up sock for DK weight yarn, sample knitted in Fyberspates DK sock yarn. Instructions are for magic loop but the pattern can easily be adapted for knitting with two circulars of on 5 DPNs. It uses a short row heel. I used 3mm needles to get a gauge of 6.5 stitches and 10 rows to one inch. The yarn I used provides 300m per 100g and I used 80 grams in total.
Abbreviations:
Kfb: knit one front and back: knit into the front and then the back of the stitch, increasing by one stitch.
K1tbl: knit into the back of the stitch by inserting the needle into the back loop rather than the front one. This twists the stitch as you knit it.
Cast on 6 stitches using Turkish cast on and knit 1 round even then:
Round 2: Kfb, k1, kfb on each needle (10 sts)
Round 3: Knit 1 round
Round 4: KFB all around (20 sts)
Round 5: Knit 1 row even
Round 6: (Kfb, knit to last stitch on needle, kfb) repeat to end of round
Row 7: knit 1 round even
Repeat rounds 6 and 7 until there are 28 stitches on each needle, 56 stitches in total.
Needle 1 becomes the top of the foot, needle 2 is the instep stitches.
Begin to work the twisted rib pattern:
Needle 1: knit 8, (k1tbl, p1) 6 times, k1tbl, knit7, Needle 2, knit.
Continue to knit in this pattern until the length of the sock is approximately 6.5cm from desired foot length and then work short row heel as follows:
Knit the stitches from needle one in established pattern.
Row 1: Knit across 27 stitches on needle 2, move the working yarn as if to purl, slip the final unworked stitch from the left needle onto the right needle. Turn.
Row 2: Slip the first stitch (unworked stitch) from the left needle onto the right needle. Purl the next (wrapped) stitch, then purl across to the last stitch. Move the working yarn as if to knit and slip the last stitch. Turn
Row 3: Slip the first stitch and knit across to the last stitch before the unworked stitch. Wrap and turn.
Row 4: Slip the first stitch and purl across to the stitch before the unworked stitch. Wrap and turn.
Repeat rows 3 and 4 a total of 8 times which leaves 12 stitches unwrapped in the middle.
To work the second part of the heel:
Row 1: Knit across the 12 live stitches to the first wrapped stitch. Pick up the wrap and knit it together with the stitch. Wrap the next stitch – so that it has two wraps – and turn.
Row 2: Slip the first stitch (which is double wrapped), and purl across to the first wrapped stitch. Pick up the wrap and work it together with the stitch. Wrap the next stitch and turn.
Row 3: Slip the first stitch, Knit across to first double wrapped stitch, pick up and knit both wraps with the stitch, wrap the next stitch, turn.
Row 4: Slip the first stitch, Purl across to the first double wrapped stitch, pick up and purl both wraps with the stitch. Wrap the next stitch, turn.
Repeat until all the wrapped stitches have been worked. You will have 28 stitches on needle 2.
Begin to work in the round again, continuing in the established pattern for needle 1 and knitting across needle 2.
Work 3 inches in pattern, then work cable round.
Cable round: Knit the first 8 stitches on needle one, and then slip the next 6 stitches onto a cable needle. Hold to the back, and then (k1tbl, p1) 3 times. K1tbl. Taking care not to twist the stitches, work the stitches from the cable needle as follows: (p1,k1tbl) 3 times. Knit to end of round.
Work 12 rows in established twisted rib pattern and then repeat the cable round. Repeat this until you have crossed 4 cables, then work 3 rows in twisted rib pattern. Set up for rib by reducing one stitch from needle 2 in the final round.
Rib: beginning with needle 1, (k2, p2) 4x, work twisted rib pattern across next 13 stitches (k1tbl, 1p)6times k1tbl, then p2, (k2, P2) to end of round. Repeat this round until ribbing is desired length (approx 2 inches).
Cast off using a stretchy cast off. I use the sewn cast off: Cut yarn to about 45cm, and thread the end into a needle. Beginning with needle one, insert the needle into the first two stitches as if to purl, pull through, leaving both stitches on the needle. Pull needle through first stitch on the needle as if to knit. Cast off this stitch. Repeat this, pulling through two purlwise, one knitwise and casing off one until all stitches have been worked. Pull yarn through the final stitch, and sew in the end.
Wear and enjoy!
I’ll bite! I need to try socks someday, maybe the yarn and your pattern will inspire me. I really love the cabling on those socks of yours – very neat! 🙂
Oooh thanks S, I need a stretchy foot pattern as G complains his socks are tight to get on. Must try these out for him!
Love the new pattern.
Me me me….I’d love to win, really keen to try some socks and DK sounds like the best yarn for me to give them a go with. Great pattern too – I almost understand all of it 🙂
LOVE the Jimmy! Very cool pattern – might even tempt me to knit some up for my DH. 🙂
Cute socks! I’ve just finished my first pair and are anxious to start my next.
lesjoujou on Ravelry
Lovely Pattern, Ive never knitted socks and your pattern being 8ply, is one I’m sure to try out
Oooh, gotta be in to win
I love your blog by the way 🙂 and how regularly you update 😉
My dad was called Jim, he had 4 brothers and 4 sisters, so not quite the 7 sisters your ‘Jimmy’ has.
I’m yet to cast on socks – but DH has definitely put in his order more than once…
what a fab pair of socks 😀
Beee on Ravelry
😀 😀 😀
Never knitted socks before, but keen to try!
Lovely pattern Sheryl! Well done.
Have also posted about your comp in my blog too :0
http://www.chevgirl.wordpress.com 😉
Wow what an awsome pair of MAN socks!, might just have to make DP a pair so he stops wearing mine grrrr.
WOW super impressive didn’t you only cast these on the other night?! Love the pattern. Hope to make S socks one day for his size 13 feet 😆
They are amazing ! puts plain boring bought socks to shame 🙂 You are a machine !
Oh yes please, enter me. I have some needles coming to me soon from the co-op on TNN so I will delve into the world of sock knitting.
I’ve also made a link of this competition on my blog too
xx
Opps..commented in the wrong entry 🙂
Pattern looks great I love the idea of knitting socks in DK…nice and quick for gifts (’specially for those who don’t appreciate the time that knitting takes). Thanks so much for sharing with us:-)
Thanks for the great pattern Sheryl. I like the fact that it’s stretchy, and being dk I just might get some socks knitted.
Gorgoues socks Sheryl!! im so in for the comp, would love to try some socks
will post it on my blog tonight too 🙂
Well done hun! I’m sure your Dad will love them! (BTW – your Dad shares his birthday with MY Dad!)
wow… what a great competition! I’ve just started knitting and would love to try some socks.
Thanks for the competition!
ooooooo COOL pattern AND in DK – Love it!!!!!!!!
It’s a beautiful pattern, I love the cable in front. I would love to win some of your lovely yarn!!!!!
Love the pattern!! I’d love it even more if I won some wool to make my own 😉
And I’ve posted on my blog now too 😀
http://casperjasmine.blogspot.com/2009/07/sock-pattern.html
What a nice pattern!
I love that sock pattern. It’s so cool. I also love the colour.
I will definitely be casting on for these, already added to my Ravelry queue. 8ply socks sound nice and quick!
Oh wow,Im definitely going to knit these for my Dad for his Bday and maybe a matching pair for Mum as well!!! Thanks you heaps for this pattern!!!
They’re gorgeous; I’m sure Dad will love them. Now you just need to get them in the post LOL
Fast posted already 🙂 There is even a chance they will make it on time 😉
Beautiful socks! I can’t wait to try them!
That’s a great pattern! Thanks for sharing it!
That is a really great pattern! Thank you for sharing 🙂
I’ve been itching to knit some socks, and these beauties look like a nice fun knit. Thanks for the pattern!
What a nice pattern you made for your Dad. I’m glad you didn’t post the green yarn, I hate to beg. But the other colorways are beautiful too!
Oh these are beautiful! Love the sock pattern!
That is super cool, and I really like the yarn! I’ve mentioned you on my blog 😉
Those socks are really neat! I’m sure your dad will love them. I’m a new knitter, but I’d like to try socks soon. If I had one of those hanks, I would’t need much encouragement.
fabulous socks ! i love dk weight socks and can’t wait to knit them up.
thanks so much for sharing
Wow. That yarn looks uber-scrummy. I love the sock pattern too. I haven’t knitted socks before. You don’t have a pattern for a 4 month old do you? (Probably fit 6-9 month). I tend to only knit for my son. Lol. He’s a bit spoilt. You can see some of the stuff I’ve knitted on Jennynz’s blog.
Hi Sally, yes I’ve seen your yummy J in his knitted gear on your sister’s blog 🙂 I have a toddler sock pattern available on my blog, and another baby/toddler sock pattern in the works at the moment – so watch this space 🙂
My hubby *loves* hand knit socks…he thinks they are just the best and this is a pattern I can *really* sink my teeth into!
I’m thrilled to see a new pattern for men…I’ve got one stewing in my brain, but don’t have time right now to bring it to fruition.
Id mention this in my blog, but who the heck reads it? Um, no one cause I don’t have time to update it! LOL! 😀 So, single “entry” for me, and thanks so much for coming up with a new pattern! I appreciate it!
Thanks for this pattern – they look great!
What a great looking pair of socks. You’re wonderful for posting the pattern.
these look so gorgeous. i love them i really like that mauve pink and purple colorway yummy!!!
WOW S those are awesome. You are a legend. I have been putting off knitting socks for R in fear they will be too small so this pattern would be perfect.
Another great sock pattern from you – puts the plain ones I’m knitting for my DH now to shame 😉
Loving your blog too … should get my own one day. LOL
Blogged about it today!
http://knittinginmybackyarn.blogspot.com/2009/07/summer-slowdown.html
I’m sure your dad is going to love them! I love the idea of a quick pair of socks too!
I’ve not tried knitting socks yet, so I would like to win that
beautiful yarn. Perhaps that will inspire me to try my hand
at sock knitting. Thanks for having the contest.
Thanks for the great pattern and pics! Please enter me
Great pattern. It is nice to see another sock pattern suitable for guys. On another note, I just got some Fyberspates fingering weight sock yarn last week and am looking forward to seeing how it knits up.
Loverly yarns, stupendous pattern! I’m posting a link to this contest over on my blog. Cheers!
Great pattern, especially something for men (rare enough) that isn’t plain and boring.
My brother’s name is jimmy and I love the design in the pattern very cool.I like the red and plum colorway.Hugs Darcy
knottyknitter40 on ravelry
I’m curious would the pattern fit a size men’s 13 foot? Hugs Darcy
Hi Darcy 🙂 Fit would depend on the width of the foot rather than the length. Dh has pretty average width feet and it fits him pretty well with extra room to stretch. You could easily add another increase round before you start the pattern on the foot to give you a 60 stitch pattern overall, without altering the central panel. Or a 64 stitch pattern would also work just as well. It would mean working one extra set over the heel too, or leaving 14 stitches instead of 12 at the bottom of the heel. HTH.
I love the socks and I would be thrilled beyond words with any colorway if I were to win. Thanks for such a generous offer.
Love the socks! Thanks for the pattern!
wow! these are gorgeous socks 🙂 Thanks rof the free pattern, i think I will make a pair for my Dad and a pair for myself 🙂
Very generous of you to offer free yarn too! Thank you again
They look great. I am sure your dad will love them 🙂
Lovely socks. Thanks for sharing the pattern, and for giving away one of the skeins (red is my fav). I was looking for a pattern to use with some panda cotton and this looks like just what I was hoping to find. Thanks
Hi …..I really like your pattern. I have only done one pair of patterned socsk in 4 ply but would be really keen to try these in some DK yarn These don’t look too complicated. Thanks for giving away your gorgeous yarn.
Love the socks, love the yarn and the chance to win!
I just found out about the pattern and contest from my daughter. The socks look just great!
Now off to blog about it!
I’ve just blogged about your contest at elaine-knitting.blogspot.com.
Thanks again for the pattern and a chance to win!
Thanks a lot for the pattern! This helped me knit my first pair of socks 🙂