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Rachel's Cool Socks Pattern

Category:

Knitting

Type:

Clothing

Fit:

Men, Women

Item:

Socks

Skill Level:

Beginner

Basic Skills Necessary:

Twisted stitch (aka k tbl), M1, k2tog, ssk.
Judy's Magic Cast On, Jeny's Super Stretchy Bind Off, Rachel's Cool Increase, and Reverse Rachel's Cool Increase (Online tutorials are available for all of these).

Pattern Description:

These socks were designed collaboratively with Rachel Shorey in order to display uses of Rachel's Cool Increase (RCI). A phototutorial for RCI is posted at http://www.toroidalsnark.net/rci.html. RCI is used structurally in the mathematical heel (you can substitute a different heel if you want) and decoratively in the spiralling motif. Special thing about the heel: it's done in the round, not using short rows or flaps.

There are two versions of the socks, one with a plain foot and one with the spiralling motif flowing around the foot and across the tip of the toe.

Any springy DK/sport-weight yarn should do.

Gauge:

6 stitches to the inch in stockinette stitch.

Sizing / Finished Measurements:

6.9" finished circumference for size small
7.5" finished circumference for size medium
8.1" finished circumference for size large
This pattern is not easy to modify for other circumferences, but easy to modify for other foot lengths and calf heights.

Materials:

275 - 320 yards of DK weight yarn.
Suggested yarns: Valley Yarns Valley Superwash DK, Mirasol Yarn Chirapa
Use size #2-#2.5/2.75mm-3mm needles or whatever needle size is required to get obtain the correct gauge.
You will need one 16" (or longer) circular needle for JMCO and one set double-pointed needles, or one 7" or 9" circular needle, or two circular needles, or one 24" (or longer) circular needle for use with magic loop knitting.

You Will Also Need:

Two stitch markers (locking preferred but not required)
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends.