Warm and Worsted Socks

This take on the Fisherman's Boot Socks combines the ease and durability of worsted yarn with a simple textured pattern that creates elasticity on the leg and foot and thickens the fabric slightly. 

At this point, many of you have also knit piles and piles of Fisherman's Boot socks! Here's your chance to mix it up while still enjoying everything we love about the simplicity and practicality of old-fashioned worsted socks. 

 Materials: 1-3 Skeins Briggs and Little Tuffy available at www.maritimefamilyfiber.com

Size US 6 double pointed needles

Sizes: women's small (women's medium) (men's medium)(men's large)

Texture pattern: Multiple of 7 stitches.

Round 1: purl 4, knit 3 to end

Round 2 and all even rounds: repeat prior row

Round 3: Purl 2, Knit 3, Purl 2 to end

Round 5: Knit 3, Purl 4 to end

Round 7: Knit 1, Purl 4, Knit 2 to end

Round 9: Purl 3, Knit 3, Purl 1 to end

Round 11: Purl 1, Knit 3, Purl 3 to end

Round 13: Knit 2, Purl 4, Knit 1 to end

In main color, loosely cast on 42(42)(48)(50) stitches using the long-tail cast on method, distributing them evenly across your needles by 2s.

Cuff: Begin working in the round in knit 1, purl 1 rib for 5 rounds, or desired length.

Begin leg texture:Starting at the beginning of the round (note, working with DPN, traditional stitch markers are tricky. Try a locking stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round, or memorize which needle begins the round.)

For sizes Men's Medium and Men's Large, decrease one stitch. (Remember you need a multiple of 7 stitches)

Work Texture pattern around until leg is desired length.

Begin Heel: If you haven't already gotten the pattern in your head, note where you are on the chart in the texture pattern. It will differ based on the size and how long you made your leg.

Row 1: *Knit 1, Slip 1 knitwise* repeat between ** 8(9)(9)(10) times, knit 1. 19(21)(21)(23)  heel flap stitches.

TURN your work, these 19(21)(21)(23) stitches will be worked flat as your heel flap.

Row 2: Purl on the wrong side.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 9 (10)(10)(11) times, ending with a wrong side row.

Dutch Heel Turn: Row 1: Knit 12 (13)(13)(14) Slip 1, Knit 1, pass slipped stitch over. TURN work

Row 2: Slip 1 purlwise, purl 6, purl 2 together, TURN work*

Row 3: Slip 1 knitwise, knit 6, slip1, knit1, pass slipped stitch over, TURN work.

Continue in this manner until only the 6 center stitches remain, ending with a right side row.

Dutch Heel Instep: Pick up 9(10)(10)(12) stitches along the side of the heel flap. Work the top of foot stitches in the texture pattern, again starting on whatever row you left off.

Pick up 9(10)(10)(12) more stitches up the other side of the heel flap. Knit a few stitches from the first needle to make it more comfortable for knitting, as pictured.

Instep Decrease Row 1: Beginning on needle one (the right 'arm' of the triangle in the picture below), knit to the last three stitches on the needle, knit two together, knit 1. Knit the stitches across the top of the foot in pattern. Beginning on the third needle, knit 1, slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over, knit to end.

Row 2: Knit

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until you have 42(44)(49)(56) stitches total.

Note, the bottom/sides of the foot are worked in stockinette stitch while the top is worked in the texture pattern. 

On the biggest size foot, the texture stitch is quite stretchy, so unless you are making socks for enormous feet, I would drop down to 49 stitches on the foot.

Work the foot in pattern for 7(8)(9)(12, or more for larger feet) inches, measuring from the back of the heel when the sock is laid flat. 

Instep Toe: Arrange stitches so that you have 20(20)(25)(28) across the top of the foot, and 11(12)(12)(14) on each side.

Row 1: Beginning with the first needle, knit to the last 3 stitches, knit 2 together, knit 1. On needle 2, knit 1, slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over, work in texture pattern to last three stitches on needle 2, knit 2 together, knit 1. On needle three, knit 1, slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over, knit to end.

Note: continue working in the texture pattern until the decreases eat into the pattern.

Row 2:Work even in pattern

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until you have around 12 stitches left. Thread yarn through the remaining stitches. Repeat for a second sock. Weave in ends, if desired block socks on sock blockers.

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