Sneaker-socklets
These socks were born because I liked the shape of some sports anklets I bought and decided to make ones myself. Short, higher on the back - that is.
The socks are knitted toe-up and with shaping so that each leg has its own sock. And to avoid the boredom of plain stockinette there's a simple lace motif on the instep.
Yarn:
Shoeller+Stahl Fortissima Socka (colour 1012) 50 g (75% wool, 25% nylon, 210 m/50 g) or other suitable yarn
Gauge
32 s and 48 rows = 10 cm
Needles
2 mm or the size to get the gauge
Size
Female, about size EUR39, circumference of the foot about 22 cm
Pattern
Cast on 28 stitches with a suitable method (figure 8 method used here). Knit two rounds on the stitches and divide them on four needles (7 s/needle). Increases are on every other row on each needle one stitch away from the edge so that on 1st and 3rd needle you increase before the last stitch and on 2nd and 4th after the first stitch. This way the increases are on both sides of the tip.
Right sock
On left side of the tip add 5x1 stitches on both needles and on the right side add 15x1 stitches on both needles = 68 stitches. Note: add only one stitch/needle on increase row. After the increases divide the stitches evenly on the needles = 17 s/needle.
Knit two rows and start the lace motif (chart, note that the chart shows only the center of the pattern). Note that the chart shows every other row. In this sock the center of the motif sets in the highest point of the instep if you do the following: knit 3 stitches, start the pattern.
Continue knitting and the lace pattern until the sock measures about 18 cm from the tip. Turn the heel. In this sock it was done using hourglass heel (make decreases until there is 7s / needle and continue on to increases without making any additional rows) but you can choose whatever heel suits you. Knit one row after the heel (the lace motif has ended by now).
After which start the heel heightening. Continue the work on only 1st and 4th needles (the heel needles) and leave the rest waiting. The heightening of the heel is done by short rows, ie. do not knit the last stitch on the needle but turn and continue back (use wraps or other suitable technique to avoid holes). Leave the last stitch of the row on the needle every row. Continue until you have 9 s/needle left to work with. Now you should be between the 1st and 4th needle. Begin 1x1 rib. Knit rib for four rows and then bind off. Do the binding off tightly around the curved places and loosely elsewhere. That way you will get a stretchy edge without it being too loose around the higher part on the back.
Left sock
Make a mirror image of the right sock.
Tips
The socklets are easily fitted to your feet because you can try them on as you go. If the amount of stitches is too big you can stop the increases when the tip reaches the base of the toes. But remember to adjust the lace motif placement. If you do a shorter sock you can start the motif on a later row (fewer stitches between the yarn overs).
Note: This pattern is not meant for beginners. Not all techniques mentioned are explained so you might need to find information elsewhere.
Chart
The chart shows stitches for every other row (knit every other row) and the center of the pattern only.