Oceanside Ankle Socks

Well, I'm desperate for a warm weather holiday but I have 8 weeks to go until my trip south. I knited these using yarn that makes me think of the beach. Hopefully they'll tide me over!

Yarn: Knit Picks Felici, Colorway: Meridien
Needles: 2.25 mm DPNs, set of 5
Gauge: 8 sts = 1 inch
Size: Fits women's size 8 but you can lengthen or shorten the length of the foot.
Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle


Cuff: Using the long tail method, CO 72 sts and divide evenly on 4 needles. Join the round and work in 2x2 rib for 1.5 inches.


Leg:
Round 1: Knit
Round 2: K2tog to end (36sts)
Round 3: Knit through the front and back of the loop to end (72 sts)
Round 4: Knit
These 4 rounds establish the pattern. Work pattern 1 more time (4 rounds).


Heel Flap:
Knit across the first needle (18sts), turn purl across the first needle and the 4th needle. You should have 36 sts on 1 needle. Leave the remaining 36 sts on the 2nd and 3rd needles for the instep.
Working the heel flap sts only:
Row 1: *S1 PW, K1 repeat from * to end
Row 2: *S1 PW, P to end
Continue until you have worked 36 rows.


Turn Heel:
Row 1: (RS) K20, ssk, k1, TURN
Row 2: (WS) S1 PW, p5, p2tog, p1 TURN
Row 3: S1 PW, knit to 1 stitch before gap, ssk (1 stitch from each side of gap), k1, TURN
Row 4: S1 PW, p to 1 stitch before gap, p2tog (1 stitch from each side of gap) p1, TURN

Repeat rows 3 and 4 until all sts have been worked, ending in a WS row. On the last repeat, row 3 will end with ssk and row 4 will end with p2tog. (20sts)


Gusset:
Round 1: With needle 1, knit across all heel sts and pick up and knit 19 sts along the edge of the heel flap. With needle 2, work across the first 18 instep sts in pattern beginning with row 1, with needle 3 knit across the remaining instep sts in pattern, With needle 4, pick up and knit 19 sts along the other side of the heel flap, then knit then knit across the first 10 sts on needle 1.


Needle 1: 29 sts. Needle 2: 18 sts. Needle 3: 18 sts. Needle 4: 29 sts


Round 2: On needle 1, K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1, on needles 2 and 3, knit, on needle 4, k1, ssk, k to end
Round 3: Knit on needles 1 and 4, work in pattern on needles 2 and 3.
Repeat rounds 2 and 3 until 72 sts remain. 18 sts each needle.

Foot:
Continue knitting on needles 1 and 4 and working in pattern on needles 2 and 3 without decreasing until the foot measures 2 inches less than desired foot length.

From this point on, you will no longer work in pattern. All needles will be worked in stockinette stitch.

Toe:

Round 1: On needle 1, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. On needle 2, k1, ssk, kto end. On needle 3, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. On needle 4, k1, ssk, k to end.

Round 2: Knit

Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until 36 sts remain.

Repeat round 1 only until 16 sts remain. Using needle 4, knit across needle 1. Slip the 4 sts from needle 2 onto needle 3. You should now have 2 needles with 8 sts each. Graft to close the toe using kitchener stitch.