Bird of a Feather Socks (Free Pattern)

This week's inspiration was all about birds. So I had to design something reminiscent of birds. The pattern reminds me of colorful feathers, so I decided to call it Bird of a Feather. All the colorwork is actually done using slipped stitches, which makes the pattern easy to follow and memorize. I used 2 SockPixie colorways, and I recommend choosing a dark contrast yarn. Have fun with it!



Bird of a Feather Socks

Materials:

2 skeins SockPixie Merino Sock Yarn: 1 in Pynion Jay (referred to as B), and 1 in a colorful contrasting SockPixie yarn (referred to as C).

Gauge: 8 sts/inch in st st on US 1

Stitch Pattern:

R1: Knit with B.
R2: Knit with B
R3: With C, *SL1, K7* Repeat from *. Be sure not to pull to tight when changing needles.
R4: Same as R3
R5: Same as R3
R6: Same as R3
R7: Knit with B. Be sure not to pull to tight on the black yarn which you are just carrying up from the previous rows.
R8: Knit with B
R9: With C, K4, *SL1, K7* Repeat from *, ending with K3.
R10: Same as R9
R11: Same as R9
R12: Same as R9

R1 through R12 form the pattern. Repeat these rows for pattern.


CUFF and LEG:

Cast on 64 stitches. Divide stitches: Circular method 32 on each for circulars// 4 dpts 16, 16, 32 // 5 dpts //16 on each Join round. Knit in K2P2 rib for 1 1/2" Continue in stitch pattern over the desired length for the leg.

Finish a complete pattern repeat before starting the short row heel. Knit 1 round with B. Then follow the directions for the short row heel using B only.

SHORT ROW HEEL SHAPING:

You will be working on only half the stitches 32.

R1: Knit to the last 2 stitches, wyif slip next stitch, bring yarn to back, and slip wrapped stitch back to left needle. Turn.

R2: Purl to the last 2 stitches, wyinb slip next stitch, bring yarn back to the front, slip wrapped stitch back to left needle.

R3: knit to 1 stitch before the last wrapped stitch, wrap the stitch as above, turn.

R4: Purl to 1 stitch before las wrapped stitch, wrap stitch, turn. Repeat R3 and R4 until 14 stitches remain unwrapped at the center of your heel.

Continue shaping the heel as follows:

R1: Knit to the wrapped stitch, knit the wrap together with the stich, and wrap the next stitch by wyif slipping the next stitch, bringing the yarn to the back and returning the wrapped stitch back to the left needle, and turn.

R2: Purl to the wrapped stitch, purl stich an wrap together through the back loops, wrap next stitch by wyib slipping the next stich, bringing the yarn back to the front, and slipping the wrapped stitch back to the left needle.

R3: Knit to the wrapped stitch, slip wrapped stitch to right needle, with left needle pick up the 2 wraps, and place the on the right needle. Slip the 2 wraps and the stitch back to the left needle, and knit the 3 together. Wrap next stitch as above, and turn.

R4: Purl to the wrapped stitch, slip the wrapped stitch to the right needle. With left needle pick up the wraps and place them on the right needle. Transfer the wraps and the stitch one by one back to the left needle, and purl the 3 together through the back loop. Wrap the next stitch. Turn.

Repeat R3 and R4 until all stitches are consumed. The first and the last stitch on the needle will each have 1 wrap, which you will knit together on the first round of the rest of you sock. Knit the rest of the round with B picking up the remaining wraps. You are now ready to continue the sock in pattern.

FOOT:

Start knitting in the round again over the 64 stitches, keeping the pattern going. Continue Knitting in the round in pattern, until the foot is the appropriate length.
Be sure to finish with a completed pattern repeat.


TOE:

Circular Method:

Knit toe in st st.
R1: K1,SSK, knit to the last 3 stitches on needle, K2tog, K1. Repeat on next needle.
R2: Knit
Repeat R1 and R2 for 1 inch, then repeat R1 only until there are 8 stitches left on each eedle. Using the kitchener stitch, graft the toe closed.

4dpts:

Work stitches on needle 1. New beginining of round. Instep on needle 1, and sole on needles 2 and 3.
R1: Needle 1: K1, SSK, knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1/ Needle 2: K1, SSK, knit to end/ Needle 3: Knit to,last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1
R2: Knit
Repeat as for circular method until 8 stitces are left. Graft toe.

5dpts:

Work stitches on needle. New beginning of round.Instep on needle 1 and 2, sole on needle 3 and 4.
R1: Needle 1: K1, SSK , knit to end/ Needle 2: Knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1/ Needle 3: Same as needle 1 Needle 4: Same as needle 2 Repeat as for circular method until 8 stitches are left./
R2:Knit

Graft toe.

For personal use only. Copyright Caroline Dlugy-Hegwer, 2007.