While this week we’ve been exploring using Universal Yarn Bamboo Pop Sock yarn for everything but socks, I thought it would be amiss for me not to include a design for you to try. Yesterday, we looked at two stitches which imitate crochet, and I include them in this design at the ankle, just for a little je-ne-sais-quoi!
This is the Acid Wash colorway of Bamboo Pop Sock knit at a 8 stitches per inch gauge.
Bamboo Pop Sock is a great alternative to sheep’s wool sock yarn because the PBT strand in this yarn provides enough elasticity and memory that the non-elasticity of bamboo rayon or cotton is not a factor.
I knit these socks with size 2mm needles to get a gauge of 32 sts per 4” and these are women’s size 9-10 feet. Use the needle size that gives you this gauge.
Stitch Patterns
Stockinette Stitch in the round (any # of stitches)
Row 1 (RS): Knit all stitches
Rep Row 1
Bundle Stitch Lace (multiple of 2 stitches):
Row 1 (RS): *P2tog through back lps, ryo; rep from * across.
Row 2: *Bundle-st; rep from * across.
Rep Rows 1 & 2 for pattern.
Bundle-stitch (Bundle-st): Insert RH needle tip between first and 2nd stitches on LH needle and knit up a loop, knit next first and 2nd stitches together through back loops.
Reverse Yarn-over (ryo): Bring yarn from back of work to front over the RH needle and return to back of work between needle tips.
Re-knit stitch (rk): Knit 1, return st to LH needle, knit in the back loop to twist.
Knit-side shadow stitch (kshst): Insert RH needle tip into front leg of stitch below next stitch on LH needle and knit up a loop, place loop on LH needle. Turn work leaving these 2 loops emerging from the same stitch (called twin stitches) and remaining stitches unworked. Avoid tugging or stretching needles tips apart when turning.
Knit twin stitches together (ktwtog): Knit twin stitches together as one stitch.
Purl-side shadow stitch (pshst): Slip next stitch purlwise, insert tip of LH needle knitwise into purl bump below the stitch just slipped and lift onto LH needle, purl this loop, slip both stitches together (called twin stitches) knitwise back onto LH needle, turn work, leaving remaining stitches unworked. Avoid tugging or stretching needles tips apart when turning.
Purl twin stitches together (ptwtog): Purl twin stitches together as one stitch.
abbreviations
Est: established
K: knit
Kfb: knit in front then back loop of next stitch; an increase of 1 stitch.
Ktwtog: knit twin stitches together (see Special Stitches)
LH: left-hand
Lp(s): loop(s)
P: purl
Pm: Place marker
Pshst: purl shadow stitch (see Special Stitches)
Ptwtog: purl twin stitches together (see Special Stitches)
Rep: repeat(s/ing/ed)
Rm: remove marker
RH: right-hand
RS: right-side
Ryo: reverse yarn over (see Special Stitches)
kshst: knit shadow stitch (see Special Stitches)
Sl: slip
Sm: Slip marker
St(s): stitch(es)
Stst: stockinette stitch (see Stitch Patterns)
Tbl: through back loop(s)
Tog: together
WS: wrong-side
Knitter’s Pride Karbonz double-pointed needles in size 2mm were the perfect set to use for the tight gauge I wanted for this design.
Pattern begins
Toe
Using Judy’s Magic Cast On [link: https://knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/FEATmagiccaston.html] and size 2mm needles, cast on 20 stitches and knit the first round.
Rnd 2: K1, m1, 8, m1, k2, m1, k8, m1, k1. 24 sts
Rnd 3: Pm, k12, pm, k12.
Rnd 4: [K1, m1, knit to 1 st before next marker, m1, k1] twice. 28 sts
Rnd 5: Knit.
Rnds 6 – 21: Rep Rnds 4 and 5 until you have 60 stitches total.
Foot
Work even in Stst until foot measures 5”.
Gusset Shaping
Rnd 1: K1, m1, k28, m1, k31. 62 stitches.
Rnd 2: Knit.
Rnd 3: K1, m1, knit to 1 st before marker, m1, knit rem sts.
Rnd 4: Knit.
Rnds 5 – 24: Rep Rnds 3 and 4. 84 sts.
The beauty of a toe-up sock is that you don’t have to pick up stitches along the heel flap.
Heel Shaping
Now working in rows.
Row 1: K36, m1, k2, kshst, turn.
Row 2: P21, m1 purlwise, p2, pshst, turn.
The turning leaves a gap at either end of the 24 stitches just worked, and twin stitches just past these gaps. We will refer to these instead of using stitch markers as indicators.
Row 3: Knit to 4 stitches before next gap, m1, k2, kshst, turn.
Row 4: Purl to 4 stitches before next gap, m1 purlwise, p2, pshst, turn.
Rows 5-10: Rep Rows 3 & 4—94 stitches total.
Row 11: Knit across to next marker, working a ktwtog in each pair of twin sts, knit to next marker, k46 (working a ktwtog in each pair of twin sts you encounter), ssk, pm on LH needle, turn.
Row 12: [P1, yarn to back of work, sl 1, yfwd]x14, p1, p2tog, pm on LH needle, turn.
Row 13: Knit across to 1 st before marker, sl 1 knit wise, rm, return slipped st to LH needle, k2tog through back lps, pm on LH needle, turn.
Row 14: P1, [p1, yarn to back of work, sl 1, yfwd]x14, sl 1, rm, return slipped st to LH needle, p2tog, pm on LH needle, turn.
Row 15: Knit across to 1 st before marker, sl 1 knit wise, rm, return slipped st to LH needle, k2tog through back lps, pm on LH needle, turn.
Rep Rows 12-15 ending with a row 12 when there are 60 stitches total on the needles.
Ankle
Knit 10 rnds.
Knit 2 rnds of Bundle Stitch lace.
Knit 4 rnds.
Next Rnd: [P1, rk1] around.
Next Rnd: [rk1, k1] around.
Knit 6 rnds.
Cuff
Rnd 1: [K2, p2] around.
Rnds 2 – 10: Rep Rnd 1.
You can always make the cuff longer if desired.
Sock-knitting in summer is perfect because it’s portable. Here we are after a 14 km bike ride, having coffee, reading, and knitting…These socks will fit in those pink sports shoes worn by my lovely wife, for sure!
Tomorrow you’ll be able to see the Bundle Stitch Lace applied to a garment, knitted with Universal Yarn Bamboo Pop Sock yarn. I hope you come back for a peek. In the meantime, will you cast on for a pair of these summer socks?
