Shackles SocksBy Kirstan Banfield
Who knows why we create the silly things we do. I had just finished my first sock design for my partner and was thinking about what else I could make for him. For some reason the idea of chains jumped into my head and thus- Shackles Socks were born. I heavily modified a cable pattern, added some ribbing and this is what came to be (gauntlets using the same cuff are currently on my needles and will be written up soon).
These socks have a chain link band that is worked in a strip and seamed in the back. Stitches are picked up along one side of the band, then the sock is worked down towards the heel and toe. The cuff has a garter rib border
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Materials
Size 2 (2.75mm) DPNs
440 yds Berroco Comfort Sock
Gauge:
8 stitches per inch in stockinette
Optional
Cable needle (since the cuff is knitted flat, you can just use one of the spare DPNs)
Chain Link Cuff
CO 24 using Long Tail Cast On, leave a 10”-12” tail for seaming later.
Row 1: K 10, p 2, K 8, p 4
Row 2: Sl 1, K 3, p 8, K2, p10
Row 3: p 12, cblf 8, p 4
Row 4: Sl 1, K 3, p 8, p 2, K 10
Row 5: K 10, p 2, K 8, p 4
Row 6: Sl 1, K 3, p 8, K 2, p10
Row 7: p 12, K8, p4
Row 8: Sl 1, K 3, p 8, K 12
Row 9: K 10, p 2, K 2, p 4, K 2, p 4
Row 10: Sl 1, K 3, p 2, K 4, p2, K 2, p10
Row 11: p 12, K 2, p 4, K 2, p 4
Row 12: Sl 1, K 3, p 2, K 4, p 2, K 12
Row 13: K 10, p 2, K 2, p 4, K 2, p 4
Row 14: Sl 1, K 3, p 8, K 12
Row 15: p 12, K8, p4
Row 16: Sl 1, K 3, p 8, K 12
Work 7 repeats, BO loosely. Leave yarn live, use the tail from CO to seam the cuff.
Pick up and K 60 stitches along the slipped stitches edge.
K 7 rounds (any number of rounds between 5-10 would be appropriate, these are just short ankle socks)
Heel is worked on 30 stitches:
Center heel: K 15, turn Sl 1, p 29 (this will center the seam at the back of the heel)
Heel Flap
Row 1: Sl 1, K to end of needle
Row 2: Sl 1, p across
Repeat 2 rows 15 times, about 2 ½”
End with Right Side Row
HEEL TURN
Row 1: Sl1 p16 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
After the heel is worked, make sure the center of the heel is the beginning of the round. I like to have the first quarter of my stitches on one needle (#1), my instep (top half of the foot) stitches all on a second needle ( #2), and remaining quarter on a third needle (#3). It’s just my way of keeping track of where I am and where I need to decrease.
Foot:
Work in stockinette stitch until sock is 2 inches less than desired length (I’ve found 7” fits most female feet)
Toe:
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 Bind Off.
Glossary:
K Knit
P Purl
Sl Slip (all stitches slipped purlwise unless noted)
CBL8F slip 4 stitches knitwise to cable needle and hold to front of work, knit next 4 stitches, k stitches from needle
SSK Slip Slip Knit, slip 2 stitches knitwise to right needle, insert left needle and knit the 2 stitches together
K2tog Knit 2 stitches together
