Pattern Description from A Gathering of Lace:

If you are timid about knitting something large for your first lace project, or if you are a lace knitter and would like a small travel project, this pair of socks will fit the bill. This sock pattern includes innovative techniques that are useful in many knit projects. The variation of the Eastern European cast-on is an ideal way to start a circular knit shawl. Knitting with two circulars is useful for very large circumferences where stitches are crowded on one circular, as well as for small circumferences such as socks or gloves.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Size: M (L)

Finished Measurements: 8 (9)“ circumference around instep

Yarn: Schoolhouse Press Satakieli (3½oz/100g; 360yds/325m; wool) 2 skeins Royal Purple #596 (MC) 1 skein Lavender #534 (CC)

Needles: Two 2” (60cm) circulars:

• MEDIUM SOCK: Size 0 (2mm)
• LARGE SOCK: Size 1 (2.25mm)
• or size to obtain gauge

Blocked Gauge:

• MEDIUM SOCK: 32 sts and 45 rnds to 4”/10cm in St st using size 0 (2mm) needle.
• LARGE SOCK: 36 sts and 50 rnds to 4”/10cm in St st using size 1 (2.25mm) needle

Notes:

1. The sock is started at the toe. Short rows are worked in the sole to eliminate bulk at the front of the ankle, and the heel is also shaped with short rows.
2. A yarn-over (yo) is my preferred method of doing short rows. If you prefer, you may use the more common method of wrapping a st. The yo and wrap are identical when knit together with adjoining st. Knitting back onto my left needle (ndl) is also my preferred method, but if desired you may turn your work and purl back.
3. A functional rib hides behind the lace cuff.
4. Instructions are given for 3 different toe shapes. Shape 1, shown on the purple sock, has its inc’s in a single line, similar to the toe found on commercial machine-knit socks (but without the seam across the top of the toe). Shape 2 is a common hand-knit toe shape with 2 sts between the inc’s at the sides. Shape 3 will give you right and left foot socks. if you knit this toe shape, you must knit an extra half round before working the sole short rows on the second sock; otherwise, you’ll find you have two socks for the same foot!
5. Only odd rnds are charted. All even rnds and knit.
6. See Techniques, p. 162, for EZ’s Sewn Cast-off, knitting backwards, lifted inc, M1L, M1R, and sssk.