Dude Socksby Alyssa Lynough
Difficulty: Advanced Beginner. This project makes a great first sock. Techniques used include working in the round, simple increasing, working a short-row heel, and knitting a rib.
Pattern inspiration: I have a passion for socks. Delicate, lacy knee-highs fly off my needles and onto the feet of my loved ones, male and female. While none of them can argue against the comfort of a hand-knit sock, the men in my life were getting a little wary. When my fiancée finally spoke up, I was mortified. Then, I went to draw up this: a hand knit sock that’s comfy, but won’t bring snickers when he goes out with “the guys,” to play poker or do whatever guys do. The ribbing clings to the arch for a comfy fit that doesn’t slide around like some hand-knit socks are wont to, and the cuff is short, so your guy can be walking on hand knit socks, and the rest of the world won’t notice.
What may be my favorite part of this pattern is its adaptability. Dainty feet? The toe-up construction allows you to adjust the pattern to fit any foot, any time.
Photographer: Alyssa Lynough/Model: Warren Sheetz
SIZE
Fits Men’s 8-12 (Model is size 9-10)
Sizing information from yarnstandards.com.
Ysolda Teague provides a very extensive size chart on her blog.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Un-stretched Rib circumference: 9 inches
Un-stretched Cuff circumference: 10 inches
MATERIALS
Knitpicks Gloss Sock Yarn [70% Merino Wool, 30% Silk; 220 yd per 50g hank] Dolphin, 2 skeins.
This sock yarn is strong yet comfortable. The silk-wool blend is warm, but not itchy, and it showcases the ribbing well. Fingering weight, 4-ply, 14wpi.
1 set US Size 1 (2.25 mm) double pointed needles
GAUGE
36 Stitches x 50 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
PATTERN
Toe
CO 16 sts, using the Figure 8 cast on. Divide sts so that there are 4 sts on ndl 1, 4 sts on ndl 2, and 8 sts on ndl 3. Place marker to indicate beg of rnd. Rnd 1: On ndl 1, K1, Kfb, knit to end; on ndl 2, knit to 2 sts before end of ndl, Kfb, K1; on ndl 3, K1, Kfb, knit to 2 sts before end of ndl, Kfb, K1. (4 sts inc’d). Rnd 2: Knit. Rep Rnds 1-2, 16 more times. [84 sts].
Foot
Next rnd: Knit. Work even in stockinette stitch until foot meas approx 3” short of total foot length. Next rnd: *K1, P1; rep from * to end. Work even in 1x1 rib for 22 more rnds.
Gusset
Rnd 1: On ndl 1, K1, Kfb, knit to end of ndl; on ndl 2, knit to 2 sts before end of ndl, Kfb, K1; on ndl 3, knit. (2 sts inc’d). Rnd 2: Knit. Rep Rnds 1-2, 7 times more. [100 sts].
HeelHeel is worked on first 58 sts of round. Remaining 42 sts are saved for ankle.
Row 1 (RS): K47, w&t. Row 2: P36, w&t. Row 3: Knit to 1 st before wrapped st, w&t. Row 4: Purl to 1 st before wrapped st. Rep Rows 3 & 4 until 10 sts remain unwrapped. You should have 5 unwrapped sts, 14 wrapped sts, and 10 gusset sts on each ndl.
Shaping the Gusset
Row 1: Knit across, working wraps tog with wrapped sts to first unworked st, sl last worked st from right hand ndl to left hand ndl, SSK, turn. Row 2: Sl 1, purl across to first unworked stitch, sl last worked st from right hand ndl to left hand ndl, P2tog, turn. Rep Rows 1-2 until all gusset sts are worked. [80 sts rem].
Ankle
Next rnd: K80. Work 3 more rnds in stockinette stitch. Next rnd: *K1, P1; rep from * around Work even in 1x1 rib for 7 more rnds. BO all sts loosely.
FINISHING
Weave in ends.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
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Alyssa Lynough is a first-year student in Environmental Management at RIT. She learned to knit on her tenth birthday, and hasn’t stopped since. Her website can be found here.
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