Lion Brand^® Wool-Ease^®

GAUGE:

20 sts + 26 rows = 4" [10 cm] in St st (k on RS, p on WS) on larger needles. BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE. When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make a 4 in. [10 cm] square, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.

STITCH EXPLANATION:

ssk (slip, slip, knit) Slip next 2 sts as if to knit, one at a time, to right needle; insert left needle into fronts of these 2 sts and k them tog.

LEG
With larger needles and A, cast on 58 sts.
Row 1 (WS) P 1, *k 1, p 2; repeat from *.
Row 2 (RS) K 1, *p 1, k 2; repeat from *.
Repeat these 2 rows until 23 rows are completed, ending with a WS row. Change to St st and work even until piece measures 6" [15 cm].
Dec Row (RS) K 1, k2tog, k to end of row – 57 sts.
Work even for 5 rows.
Dec Row (RS) K to last 3 sts, ssk, k 1 – 56 sts.
Work even for 5 rows.
Repeat last 12 rows 2 more times – 52 sts.
Work even until piece measures 12" [30.5 cm], ending with a WS row.
Divide for Heel (RS) K 13, slip next 26 sts to stitch holder (for instep), slip remaining 13 sts to second st holder (for second half of heel).

FIRST HALF OF HEEL
Row 1 (WS) Slip 1, p 12. Row 2 Knit. Repeat these 2 rows 6 more times, then work Row 1 once more.

Turn Heel
Row 1 (RS) K 2, ssk, k 1; turn. Row 2 Slip 1, p 3; turn. Row 3 K 3, ssk, k 1; turn.
Row 4 Slip 1, p 4; turn. Row 5 K 4, ssk, k 1; turn. Row 6 Slip 1, p 5; turn.
Row 7 K 5, ssk, k 1; turn. Row 8 Slip 1, p 6; turn. Row 9 K 6, ssk, k 1.
Break yarn. Place remaining 8 sts on holder.

SECOND HALF OF HEEL
With RS facing, place 13 held sts for second half of heel on larger needle. Join A.
Row 1 (WS) Purl. Row 2 (RS) Slip 1, k 12. Repeat these 2 rows 7 more times.

Turn Heel
Row 1 (WS) P 2, p2tog, p 1; turn. Row 2 Slip 1, k 3; turn. Row 3 P 3, p2tog, p 1; turn. Row 4 Slip 1, k 4; turn. Row 5 P 4, p2tog, p 1; turn. Row 6 Slip 1, k 5; turn.
Row 7 P 5, p2tog, p 1; turn. Row 8 Slip 1, k 6; turn. Row 9 P 6, p2tog, p 1.
Break yarn. Place remaining 8 sts on holder.

GUSSET
With RS facing, larger needles, and A, k 8 sts of first half of heel from holder, pick up and knit 6 sts along edge of first half of heel, k 26 sts of instep from holder, pick up and knit 6 sts along edge of second half of heel, k 8 sts of second half of heel from holder – 54 sts. Next Row Purl.
Shape Gusset
Row 1 (RS) K 12, k2tog, place marker, k 26, place marker, ssk, k 12 – 52 sts.
Row 2 and all WS rows Purl.
Rows 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 Knit to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, k to next marker, ssk, k to end of row – 42 sts remain after Row 11.
Remove markers. Work even in St st for 15 rows (approximately 7” [18 cm] from tip of heel), ending with a WS row.

SHAPE TOE
Row 1 K 8, k2tog, place marker, k 2, place marker, ssk, k 14, k2tog, place marker, k 2, place marker, ssk, k 8 – 38 sts.
Row 2 and all WS rows Purl.
Row 3 *Knit to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, slip marker, knit to next marker, ssk; repeat from * once, knit to end – 34 sts.
Repeat last 2 rows 4 more times, then work Row 2 once more – 18 sts. Bind off.
Seam toe.

TINY BALLS – Make 18, 9 with B and 9 with C

With smaller needles, cast on 13 sts. Knit 5 rows. Fasten off, leaving a 10” [25.5 cm] tail. With large-eyed blunt needle, thread tail through 13 sts, pull tight to gather. Seam sides to form a circle. Stuff tail from cast on into circle. Slip yarn through each cast on st and pull to gather. Secure yarn end, leaving tail attached.

FINISHING

Sew stocking seam. Sew Tiny Balls in place as pictured. Weave in ends.

  Learn to Knit instructions:  http://learnToKnit.LionBrand.com