Keep your toes toasty this winter with a new pair of stranded colorwork slipper socks. These socks are knit in the round from the toe up, with a slight positive ease in the width. An afterthought heel is used so that the colorwork remains uninterrupted. Non-slip fabric may be sewn to the sole for extra traction.
Click here to download the pdf version!
Finished Dimensions
One size is given to work for a woman’s size 8 shoe size. Adjust the circumference by adding or subtracting four sts (two sts at each side). Plan for your afterthought heel placement (I like to call it an aforethought heel) by subtracting 2.25” from the length of your foot. Note this number - it is the length of your work where you begin your heel.
Width at ball of foot: 9”Length: 10”
Supplies - Included in Box
- Yardage Estimates for socks with 4 colors
- MC: Crimson - 1 Ball (110 yds)
- CC1: Chartreuse - 1 Ball (80 yds)
- CC2: Hawthorn - 1 Ball (50 yds)
- CC3: Nighthawk - 10 yds
- Optional Contrast Yardage Estimates for socks with 7 colors
- CC4: Scotch Broom - 10 yds
- CC5: Sunset - 12 yds (Chart 2 Only)
- CC6: Foxglove - 8 yds (Chart 2 Only)
- CC7: Paprika - 12 yds (Chart 3 Only)
- CC8: Coral - 12 yds (Chart 3 Only)
- Non-slip fabric for soles
- Red carpet thread
- Stitch Markers
Supplies - Not Included
- Needles:
- 3mm (32” long) circular needles for magic loop or 3mm dpns
- Extra needles (3mm or smaller) for picking up heel sts
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- Sewing needle
Special techniques
Watch the tutorial videos below for the Figure 8 Cast On, Cat Bordhi’s Whirlpool Toe for toe-up socks, and Lori’s Twisty Bind Off.
An excellent step-by-step tutorial for an afterthought heel can be found on the Nimble Needles blog: https://nimble-needles.com/patterns/how-to-knit-an-afterthought-heel/. One note is that I prefer to shape the sides of the heel without any stitches between the ssk and k2tog.
Abbreviations
beg - begin(s/ning)Colorwork Charts
NOTE: Reading from right to left, the first 32 sts of chart make up the bottom of the foot (the sole), and the last 32 sts make up the top of the foot (the instep).
Chart 1 - Use this chart for socks with four colors. You have all of the colors needed in your November subscription box.
Download the pdf version to view numbers in focus - https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0550/7494/7331/files/Magic_Forest_Socks-4-color-chart.pdf?v=1731949787
Chart 2 - Use this chart for socks with seven colors. You will have all of the colors needed if you have both the October & November subscription boxes.
Download the pdf version to view numbers in focus -
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0550/7494/7331/files/Magic_Forest_Socks-Oct-chart.pdf?v=1731949787
Chart 3 - Use this chart for socks with seven colors. You will have all of the colors needed if you have the September, October & November subscription boxes. Sample is shown in this colorway.
Download the pdf version to view numbers in focus -
Directions
With MC and circular needle, CO 6 sts using the Figure 8 cast on. After casting on, three sts will be on one side of circular needles and three sts on the other. Beg working in the round.Rnd 1: *K1, LLI; rep from * around - 12 sts.
Construction Note: When using magic loop, whirlpool toe increases occur before markers, and on last st. of each side for a total of 6 increases per increase rnd. When using dpns, position needles so that 4 of the increases occur after the last stitch on a needle, and 2 occur between sts. Place markers for the between sts increases, and mark the first side with a distinctive marker.
Whirlpool Toe
Optional Gussets
When work measures 7” (or length of your foot - 3.25”) add gussets by increasing as follows:
Afterthought Heel - Part 1
Optional Extension
Cuff Ribbing
Afterthought Heel - Part 2
CONSTRUCTION NOTE: If using dpns, position gaps so that two of the gaps between sts occurs at either side. Decreases are made at the sides of the heel.
With background color (CC2 or CC1), beg working in the rnd.
Figure 8 Cast On Video
Whirlpool Toe - Part 1
Whirlpool Toe, Part 2
Lori's Twisty Bindoff
Enjoy!
©2024 Sweet Meadow Knits LLC. All rights reserved.