Shetland Lace Rib Sock Pattern

Size: Women’s medium

Yarn: 100g sock/fingering weight.

Needles: 2-24” circulars US 1, 2.5mm.

Note: You can easily switch to double points or Magic Loop if desired. This pattern is written with the instep stitches on one needle and the heel side stitches on the second needle. To knit on double points, simply substitute two double points for the instep and/or two double points for the heel.

Gauge: 8 stitches/inch, 10 rows/inch in stockinette stitch

The socks in the picture are knit with Opal UNI-Solid.

This stitch pattern shows best with a solid or almost solid yarn.


Note on Sizing
Because of the openness of the lace, the 60 stitches around results in approximately the same size sock as a standard 64 stitch sock. If you're concerned about the sock being too tight, you may want to do the top ribbing on #2 needles.


Abbreviations:
k = knit
p = purl
m1 = make a new stitch by lifting loop between stitches with left needle and knitting into back of loop
slip = slip purlwise unless pattern specifies knitwise
ssk = slip knitwise, slip knitwise, knit two slipped stitches together
k2tog = knit two stitches together
p2tog - purl two stitches together
p2sso = pass two slipped stitches over the knit stitch

Shetland Lace Rib Stitch Pattern close up
(multiple of 10 stitches)
Round 1: k9,p
Round 2: k2,k2tog,yo,k,yo,ssk,k2,p
Round 3: k9,p
Round 4: k,k2tog,yo,k3,yo,ssk,k,p
Round 5: k9,p
Round 6: k,yo,ssk,yo,slip knitwise,slip knitwise,k,p2sso,yo,k2tog,yo,k,p
Round 7: k9,p
Round 8: k3,yo,slip knitwise,slip knitwise,k,p2sso,yo,k3,p

Cuff:
Cast on 60 stitches.
Split stitches between two circular needles, 30 stitches per needle.
Join.
Join is the beginning of a round and the left side of sock.

Ribbing:
k1,p1 ribbing for 1.5 inches.

Knit Shetland Lace Rib Stitch until cuff measures desired length (usually 7-8 inches), ending after Round 1.

With the heel side facing you, move the left purl stitch onto the instep needle.
You now have 31 stitches on the instep needle and 29 stitches on the heel needle.

Heel:
Set up Row: (slip 1, knit 1) 7 times, slip 1, m1, (slip 1, Knit 1) 7 times. 30 stitches on needle. Turn.

Row 1: slip 1, purl to end of row. Turn.
Row 2: (slip 1, knit 1) 15 times. Turn.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 17 times. (18 slip rows)

Turn Heel:
Row 1: slip 1, p 16, p2tog, p. Turn.
Row 2: slip 1, k5, ssk, k. Turn.
Row 3: slip 1, p6, p2tog, p. Turn.
Row 4: slip 1, k7, ssk, k. Turn.
Row 5: slip 1, p8, p2tog, p. Turn.
Row 6: slip 1, k9, ssk, k. Turn.
Row 7: slip 1, p10, p2tog, p. Turn.
Row 8: slip 1, k11, ssk, k. Turn.
Row 9: slip 1, p12, p2tog, p. Turn.
Row 10: slip 1, k13, ssk, k. Turn.
Row 11: slip 1, p14, p2tog, p. Turn.
Row 12: slip 1, k15, ssk, k.

18 stitches left on needle.

Pick up Gusset Stitches:
Pick up 18 stitches along right edge of heel.

Knit across instep using Row 2 of Shetland Lace Rib after reading note below.

Note: There is now an extra purl stitch at the beginning of the instep stitchs. Purl it on each round before knitting the Shetland Lace Stitch pattern.

Pick up 18 stitches along left edge of heel.

Knit a round, ending at center back of heel.

Gusset Decreases:
For gusset decreases, round starts at center of heel needle.

Round 1: knit to last 3 stitches before instep, k2tog, k1, knit Shetland Lace Rib across instep, k, ssk, knit to center of heel needle.
Round 2: knit to instep needle, knit Shetland Lace Rib across instep, knit to center of heel needle.

Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until 31 stitches remain on heel needle.

Continue knitting around keeping the 31 instep stitches in the Instep Rib Pattern.

Toe Decreases:
Start on instep needle 2 inches before desired length of sock.

Round 1: (k, ssk, k to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k) twice, once on instep needle, once on sole needle.
Round 2: knit

Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until 15 stitches remain on instep needle and 15 stitches remain on sole needle.

Repeat round 1 until 7 stitches remain on each needle.
Kitchener toe and weave in ends.

Copyright Marguerite Byrne, 2006. To be used for private, non-profit use only.
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