Koigu Mill End Ankle Socks

Koigu Mill Ends...ummmmm...they’re like candy; small,
addictive and so sweet to knit with.
There are so many things you can make with the ends
we’re selling here at Rosie’s:
hats, mittens, scarves, socks... the list goes on.

The other day while savagely rummaging through the mill
ends, I found a lovely little vintage pink end along
with a bigger one that has a cotton candy dreamscape-like
colorway. Inspired, I quickly cast on for these very
cute ankle socks.

I wanted a particularly “ankle-sock-looking” heel and
to try something different. I finally found the Welsh
heel in Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush. The heel flap is
worked on 31 stitches to include a “seam stitch,”
which streams down, giving the heel more character
than your average slip stitch heel flap. Turning the
heel is by far the most exciting part for me. The Welsh
heel includes yarn overs, decreases on either side of
the “seam stitch,”and short row shaping, creating a
very accommodating heel.

The 2x2 rib pattern I use for the instep makes up for it though.
Often ankle socks have a bad reputation for slipping off while en route.
Although the ribbing may seem run of the mill(ha! ha!)
it provides for a nice, snug fit, making it less likely
to slip down your ankle and bunch up in your shoe.
Don’t you just hate that?

I had a good time knitting these footies; it was quick
and only used 50 grams of Koigu, which is how much is
in a regular skein. Come by Rosie's, summer sock knitting awaits you...




Koigu Mill End Ankle Socks
SIZE: Women’s medium

MATERIALS:
50 grams (175 yards) of Koigu Mill Ends:
MC: dreamscape
CC: vintage pink

Needles:
Size US 2 (3.0mm) double pointed needles (or size to obtain gauge)
Size US 0 (2.0mm) double pointed needles

GAUGE: 7 sts and 11 rows = 1 inch over st st on larger needles. It is imperative you knit a gauge swatch.

ABBREVIATIONS:
SS= seam stitch
SSK= Slip next two sts, one at a time, as if to purl,
then knit together through back loop.
MC= main color
CC= contrast color

Cuff:
With CC and size 2 needle, CO 60 sts.
Divide onto 3 dpns, 20 sts on each needle.
Join for working in the round, being careful not to twist sts.
Switch to size 0 needles.

Work 6 rows of K1,P1 rib.
Switch to US 2 needles.
Divide for heel flap:
(Heel flap is worked back and forth on 31 stitches)
Row 1: Sl 1, k14, p1(ss), k15, turn,
Row 2: Sl 1, p14, k1(ss), p15, turn,
Rep these 2 rows fourteen more times. (30 heel flap rows worked)

Turn heel:
Row 1: (RS) Sl 1, k4, yo, k2tog, k5, k2tog, k1, p1(ss), k1, k2tog, k5, k2tog, turn.
Row 2: (WS) yo, p to ss, k1(ss), p to 10 sts beyond ss, turn.
Row 3: (RS) yo, k2tog, k5, k2tog, k1, p1(ss), k1, k2tog, k5, k2tog, turn.

Repeat Rows 2 & 3 four more times– 18 sts

Next Row: (WS) sl 1, p to ss, k1, p7, p2tog– 17 sts; 8 sts on either side of ss.

Gusset:
With RS facing and MC, k8, pick up and k 15 sts along right side of heel flap, k3, *p2, k2* across instep, pick up and k 15 sts along left side of heel flap, k remaining 9 sole sts. (76 sts)

Note: Row will now begin and end at center of sole of foot. Place markers if knitting magic loop or using 2 circular needles-- 29 instep sts, pm, 23 right side, pm, 24 left side.

Next Row: k to last 2 sts of gusset, k2tog, k3 *p2, k2* across instep, ssk, k to end of row.
Row 2: work even as established
Rep these 2 rows until you have 59 sts total.

Foot:
Work even until foot measures 6 3/4" (or 2" less than total desired foot length)

Toe:
Row 1: With CC, k to last 3 st, k2tog, k1, pm, k1, ssk, k to last 3
sts on instep, k2tog, k1,pm, k1, ssk, k to end.
Row 2: work even as established

Repeat these two rows until there 3 stitches on each needle. K1, k2tog--8 stitches.

Arrange 8 sts so that are 4 sts on two needles, graft using Kitchener Stitch. Weave in ends.

Make second sock to match.