Nothing too exciting...

So I've been working on lots of things for friends with infants lately. No new patterns yet, but I have a few in mind. Unfortunately, only one of these brilliant ideas is destined to be a Christmas present, so the rest will take a backseat until I get the rest of these socks finished.

I'm making very few things for presents this year. It's taken a lot of pressure off. I actually only need to make 2 pairs of socks. Nothing is slated for my sweetie or my immediate family. But that could change at any moment.

Tumbling around in my head are designs for a funky, fowl scarf and socks inspired by the ever impressive Dumbledore :)

If something else comes to mind, I'll be sure to get it out and down here to share. But right now I need to restart my laptop- so thus ends another short entry.

Are You a Ninja or a Pirate? socks pattern

I believe most people in this world can be classified as ninjas or pirates. It can vary from day to day, minute to minute even. But we all have a little of each inside us. Personally, I am a pirate until I get comfortable with a group. My sweetheart is definitely a ninja- through and through. These socks were designed with him in mind.

These silly socks are designed to let you announce to the world your mood of the day. There is a “Right” and “Left” sock, but which is which will be determined by how pirate-y or ninja-y you feel when you pull them on.

Designed to fit a US Men size 10 ½ , changes for US

Ladies size 9 ½ in ()

Gauge 8 st/inch

Materials:

US Size 2 dpns or size needed for gauge

App. 250- 300 yds Main Color (Black Knitpicks Essential Sock Yarn)

App. 75 yds Background Color (Auburn Knitpicks Essential Sock Yarn)

App. 10 yds Skull Color (Knitpicks Bare Merino Sock Yarn)

LEG:

Cast On 64(60) st Main Color join in round

Work k2 p2 ribbing for 10 rnds

Work 5 rnds Stockinette

Use chart for color work (the reds are supposed to be the same- the jpgs have really been fighting with me!)

*note- it is important to make sure your floats are long enough- try knitting inside out. Also- consider not carrying the black through and “sew” in the ninja mask later. I have done both- it looks fine either way.

After chart is completed, switch back to main color and work in st st for 20 rows.

Centering for HEEL:

(I use the “Ninja” as the visible pattern- so Ninja Right= ninja on the outside of right sock)

RIGHT Sock

Knit 16. Start new needle and knit 32- the remaining sts will wait.

Begin Heel Flap or Short Row Heel.

LEFT Sock

Knit 16(15). Turn and p 32(30) back across beginning of round.

Divide remaining 32(30) sts onto 2 dpns for instep.

BAND HEEL

My new favorite is Criminy Jickets’ Band Heel found here:

http://criminyjickets.blogspot.com/2007/08/band-heel-generically.html

Flap:

R1: Sl 1, K to end

R2: Sl 1, P to end

Repeat these two rows a total of (14) times.

Shaping the flap:

R1: Sl 1, K 10(9), K2tog, K 6, SKP, K 11(10)

R2: Sl 1, P to end

R3: Sl 1, K 9 (8), K2tog, K 6, SSP, K 10 (9)

R4: Sl 1, P to end

R5: Sl 1, K 8(7), K2tog, K 6, SSK, K 9(8)

R6: Sl 1, P to end

R7: Sl 1, K 7(6), K2tog, K 6, SSK, K 8(7)

R8: Sl 1, P to end

(Double check: Count the remaining stitches. It should be 24 (22).)

The turn.

R1: Sl 1, K 14(13), SSK, turn.

R2: Sl 1, P 6, P2tog, turn.

R3: Sl 1, K 6, SSK, turn.

Repeat R2 and R3 until 8 stitches remain.

Sl 1, K to end.

Pick up 12(11) stitches along side of flap (one in each slipped stitch). Knit across instep, and pick up 12(11) stitches along other side of flap. Knit 4.

Proceed to Toe Decrease

HEEL Flap, Turn, &Gusset

All wrong side rows sl 1 purl to end

Right side rows (sl k1) to end

Repeat 2 rows 15 times, about 2 ½”

End with Right Side Row

HEEL TURN

Row 1: Sl1 p17(16) p2tog p1

Row 2: Sl1 k5 k2tog k1

Row 3: Sl1 p6 p2tog p1

Repeat Rows 2-3 working one more st before decrease until all have been worked.

Pick-up Instep Stitches

With right side still facing, pick up sts in along left edge of heel flap (my happy number is 16 picked up sts). K across instep sts (top of foot) and combine needles 2 & 3 (new needle #2). Pick up same number of sts along right edge of heel as on left edge.

Knit even 1 round.

GUSSET

Round 1:

First needle: k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1

Second needle: work even across

Third needle: k1 ssk, k to end of rnd.

Round 2: k

Repeat rnds 1 and 2 til st count is 64(60), 16(15) on needle 1, 32(30) on needle 2, 16(15) on needle 3.

Work in st st til sock measures app. I have found that 7” from heel fits most women, 8” most men.

Toe Decrease

Round 1:

First needle: k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1

Second needle: k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1

Third needle: k1 ssk, k to end of rnd.

Round 2: k

Repeat Rounds 1 & 2 til 32 sts remain.

Work Round 1 until 12 sts remain.

Break yarn and turn sock inside out to work 3 needle BO.

For 64 st use full chart. For 60 st ignore first 2 columns (light gray).

5 10 15 20 25 30

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