Arithmophobia Socks, Top Down by Lara Neel

Arithmophobia Socks, Top Down

Knitting
August 2014
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
32 stitches and 44 rows = 4 inches
in stockinette stitch
US 1 - 2.25 mm
350 - 525 yards (320 - 480 m)
Women’s XS (Women’s S, Women’s M/ Men’s S, Women’s L/Men’s M, Men’s L, Adjustable Size)
Flag of English English

“Arithmophobia,” according to some people, is just a made-up word. Others say it means “fear of math.” Either way, I think it sounds cool.

This pair of socks, if you follow the sized instructions, has no math involved at all. The heel and toe are identical, so you can measure the length of the heel and start your toe at the correct length with no problems.
The heel/toe is worked entirely in short-rows, with no fuss, muss, stitch markers or wraps. Simple increases, followed by even-more-simple decreases, prevent any gaps. This makes a heel that fits a lot like a machine-made sock.

It’s a good first-sock technique, because you can use the same method for both the heel and the toe of your socks. There are no gusset stitches. These instructions are for narrow, medium and wide short-row heels and toes. The only change for each one is when the shorter short rows become the longer short rows, and how many stitches are involved at the turn.