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Joan's Socks for Little Ones

Materials Approx. 100 yards of Wool-Ease Needles Size 3 (3.25 mm) and 5 (3.75 mm) double-pointed needles OR size needed to obtain gauge Gauge 6 sts. = 1" on larger needles

Instructions

With single strand of Wool-Ease and smaller needles, cast on 32 stitches. Arrange on three needles as follows: 10-12-10. Join, being careful not to twist stitches, and work in K1, P1 rib for 8 rounds.

Change to larger size needles and continue in stockinette stitch until piece measure 3" from beginning (or desired length to ankle).

Heel

K8, put rem sts on 2nd needle, turn.
Sl 1, Purl 7 sts plus 8 more from ndl #3. Divide instep sts evenly on 2 needles to be worked later.
Work heel flap in stockinette stitch for about 1-1/2", always slipping 1st st of each row.
You should have 7 loops along the sides (1 loop for every 2 rows).
End just having worked a right side row.

Turn Heel

Sl 1, p 8, p2tog, p1, turn
Sl 1, k3, ssk, k1, turn
Sl 1, p4, p2tog, p1, turn
Sl 1, k5, ssk, k1, turn
Sl 1, p6, p2tog, p1, turn
Sl 1, k7, ssk, k1 DO NOT TURN. 10 sts remain.

Pick up and knit 7 sts along side of heel plus 1 st at the intersection of the needles. Knit across instep sts onto one needle. Pick up and knit 1 st at intersection at other side plus 7 sts along edge PLUS knit 5 sts from heel onto same needle. Beginning of round should be at center of heel. Place the st on each side that you picked up at intersection on instep needle.

Knit sts on ndl #1. On ndl #2, ssk at beginning of needle and k2tog at end of needle to decrease away those 2 extra sts. This prevents a hole that is common at this place.

Gussets

Round 1 Knit to within 3 sts of ndl #1, k2tog, k1. Knit across ndl #2. On ndl #3, k1, ssk, knit to end.
Round 2 Knit even.
Repeat last 2 rounds until you have 32 sts left total.

Knit foot to desired length leaving about 1-1/4 to 1-1/2" for toe shaping. (For those who don't have a child's foot handy to measure, I would suggest knitting at least 4" from back of heel to where to toe decreases begin.)

Toe

Round 1 Knit to within 3 sts of ndl #1, k2tog, k1. On ndl #2, k1, ssk, knit to within 3 sts of end, k2tog, k1. On ndl #3, k1, ssk, knit to end.
Round 2 Knit even.

Repeat these 2 rounds until you have 16 sts left. Knit first 4 sts of last round with ndl #3 and wave these 8 sts on instep needle.

And as Joan so wisely advises: Cast on immediately for second sock!