Saxon Braid Socks
by Rachel McKinney
Size: Women's medium
Materials:
Universal Yarns Pace [75% superwash wool, 25% polyamide; 220 yds per 50 g skein]; 2 skeins
Set of 4 US #2/2.75mm double-pointed needles
Cable needle
Tapestry needle
Gauge:
28 sts = 4 inches in st st.
Pattern:
Saxon Braid
Sl 2 sts to cn, hold in back, k2 from left needle, k2 from cn
Sl 2 sts to cn, hold in front, k2 from left needle, k2 from cn
Sl1 sts to cn, hold in back, k2 from left needle, k2 from cn
Sl2 sts to cn, hold in front, k2 from left needle, k2 from cn
Directions:
Cuff:
CO 56 sts using long-tail CO. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.
Work in k2p2 ribbing until work measures 1 in.
Leg:
14 sts on needle 1, 28 sts on needle 2, 14 sts on needle 3.
* K 16, k tbl, work across Saxon braid pattern, k tbl, k 16. *
Repeat between * until leg is desired length.
Heel Flap:
Place 14 sts from needle 1 and 14 sts from needle 3 on same needle. These are the only stitches you will be working for the heel. You will be leaving the instep stitches (needle two) alone during this portion.
* (Sl1, k1) across.
Sl1, p 29. *
Repeat between *13 more times, until 28 heel flap rows have been worked.
Heel Turn:
K16, ssk, k1, turn work.
Sl1, p3, p2tog, p1 turn work.
Sl1, k4, ssk, k1, turn work.
Sl1, p5, p2tog, p1, turn work.
* Sl1, k to one stitch away from gap, ssk, k1, turn work.
Sl1, p to one stitch away from gap, p2tog, p1, turn work. *
Repeat between * until all stitches have been worked.
Knit halfway across row. Beg of rnd.
Gusset:
Round 1: With needle 1, knit across the rest of the turned heel.
Pick up 14 sts from the edge of the heel flap.
Pick up 2 sts between heel flap and instep.
With needle 2, k2, k tbl, Saxon braid pattern, k tbl, k2.
With needle 3, pick up 2 sts between heel flap and instep.
Pick up 14 sts from edge of the heel flap.
Knit across the remaining heel turn sts.
* Round 2:
With needle 1, knit until three sts remain, k2tog, k.
With needle 2, k2, k tbl, Saxon braid pattern, k tbl, k2.
With needle 3, k, ssk, k to end.
Round 3:
With needle 1, k.
With needle 2, k2, k tbl, Saxon braid pattern, k tbl, k2.
With needle 3, k. *
Repeat between * until 14 sts on needle 1, 28 sts on needle 2, 14 sts on needle 3.
Foot:
* K 16, k tbl, Saxon braid pattern, k tbl, k 16. *
Repeat between * until 2 in. before end of toe.
Toe:
* K until 3 sts from end of needle 1, k2tog, k2, ssk, k until 3 sts from end of needle 2, k2tog, k2, ssk, k to end.
K around. *
Repeat between * until 28 sts are left.
(K until 3 sts from end of needle 1, k2tog, k2, ssk, k until 3 sts from end of needle 2, k2tog, k2, ssk, k to end) twice.
K5. Graft sts. Weave in ends.
