Baby Backward Ribs

This sock has a very simple and basic stitch pattern, but works effectively with a stripy yarn.

Materials

-sock weight yarn; sample knit in Trekking XXL #132.
-set of 5 – 2.25 DPN
-darning needle

Size

Woman’s medium. This sock is very easy to alter bigger or smaller. The stitch pattern is a four stitch repeat, so you can add or subtract stitches in groups of four. If you do alter the number of cast on stitches, please keep in mind you will also have to alter the numbers in the heel.

Glossary

K – knit
P - purl
Tbl – through back loop
Wyib – with yarn in back
P2tog – purl 2 together
SSK – slip, slip, knit 2 together through back loops

Cuff

CO 64 sts.
Row 1: [P1, k1 tbl] to end.
Repeat this row until desired cuff length is reached.

Leg

Stitch pattern:

Row 1: [P3, k1 tbl] to end.

Repeat this row until desired leg length is reached.
On last row, end after p3.

Heel

Hold 32 stitches to be worked later for instep. Heel is worked back on the other 32 stitches.

Row 1 (ws): Sl 1, [p1, k1] to last stitch, p.
Row 2 (rs): Sl 1, [p1, sl 1 knitwise wyib] to last stitch, k.

Repeat these two rows 19 more times (40 rows).

Turn Heel

Row 1: Sl 1, p16, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 2: Sl 1, k3, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 3: Sl 1, p4, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 4: Sl 1, k5, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 5: Sl 1, p6, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 6: Sl 1, k7, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 7: Sl 1, p8, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 8: Sl 1, k9, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 9: Sl 1, p10, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 10: Sl 1, k11, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 11: Sl 1, p12, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 12: Sl 1, k13, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 13: Sl 1, p14, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 14: Sl 1, k15, ssk, k1. (18 stitches)

Gusset

Divide the 18 heel stitches onto 2 needles, which will be Needle 4 and Needle 1. The center of the heel is now the beginning of the round. With Needle 1, pick up 19 sts along side of heel flap, and 1 stitch between flap and held sts. With Needle 2 and 3, work in pattern. With another needle, pick up one st between instep and heel flap, and 19 sts along other side of heel flap; k9.

Move the first st of Needle 2 back onto Needle 1. This stitch should be a “k1 tbl”. The first st of Needle 4 should also be a “k1 tbl” stitch.
Your needles will now look like:

Needle 1: 30 sts
Needle 2: 15 sts
Needle 3: 16 sts
Needle 4: 29 sts

Round 1: Needle 1- K to last 2 sts, k2tog. Needle 2 and 3 - work in pattern. Needle 4 – SSK, k to end.

Round 2: Needle 1 and 4 – K. Needle 2 and 3 - work in pattern.

Repeat these 2 rounds until you have 64 sts total. Move the last st of Needle 1 back onto Needle 2.

Foot

Work Needle 1 and 4 in stockinette stitch, and Needle 2 and 3 in pattern, until foot reaches 1.5 inches less than desired length.

Toe

Round 1: Knit
Round 2: Needle 1 – K to 3 sts remaining, k2tog, k1. Needle 2 – K1, ssk, k to end. Needle 3 – K to 3 sts remaining, k2tog, k1. Needle 4 – K1, ssk, k to end.

Repeat these 2 rounds until 20 stitches remain. Knit Needle 1. Combine stitches on Needle 2 and 3. Combine stitches on Needle 1 and 4. Graft toe closed.