CAST-ON

On one needle, cast on 60(80) stitches loosely. If a loose cast-on is a challenge, try using two needles together. I have used a long-tail cast-on, but any cast on you are comfortable with will work.

Now divide the cast on stitches evenly between 3 needles.

CUFF & LEG

Join needles and Work in K3, P1 ribbing. Once you have done several rounds, add a fourth needle with (15)20 stitches on each needle until measurement from your cast-on edge is 9"(8").

Ending on Needle #3 to begin Heel.

HEEL

Once you have the desired length of leg....We will begin the heel on needle #4 or the needle to the right of the tail. On needle #4, Slip the first stitch, knit 1 stitch and repeat (Slip 1, K1) until the end.

Now continue in the same pattern of Slip 1, knit 1 from needle #1 onto the same needle. Resulting in 30(40) stitches on the needle, going from four needles to three needles.

Turn work,on wrong side, slip first stitch and purl the remaining of the stitches. While we are working on the heel it is IMPORTANT to always slip the first stitch of each row.....this will help us to form the gusset/ankle. Turn work, on right side, Slip, knit repeat to end. Continue for a total of 31(33) rows.

TURNING THE HEEL

The following instructions will seem quirky, this is where the ounce of trust comes in... but if followed carefully will be fun....just take one step at a time. Row 1: Wrong side row: Purl (no need to slip the first stitch) to two stitches beyond the center Average size 15 + 2 = 17 stitches Large size 20 + 2 = 22 stitches then p2tog (purl 2 stitches together as one)

Now TURN work to start next row.....and trust it will be OK.

Row 2: Slip 1, K5, k2tog, k1 TURN Row 3: Slip 1, P6, p2tog, pi TURN Continue in this pattern until you are left with 17(22) stitches on your needle for your turned heel. If you would like more detailed instructions click this link. How to Knit Socks (see Heel Turn)

Pick up 15(20) stitches evenly along heel. Put your needle under both sides of the slipped stitch. If you would like to see photos or more instruction click this link. How to Knit Socks (see Gusset/Ankle)

Knit across needle #2 and #3 in K3, P1 pattern.

Now pick up 15(20) stitches evenly along heel. I like to start this side in stitch between the leg and the heel to prevent a hole from forming and using the slipped stitches for the remainder of the picked up stitches. Now you have stitches on 4 needles again. But we need to position them slightly. Thats right....its trust time again.... From your short row heel, knit 8(11) stitches onto the same needle that you just picked up the 15(20) stitches or a total of 23(31) stitches on your needle. Next, slip purlwise the remaining stitches onto the first needle where you picked up stitches, which should also now have 24(31) stitches on it. Guess what....we are now back to our 4 needle positions

Needle #1 is once again lined up to the left of the tail and the bottom of the heel, Needle #4 is to the right of the heel and the bottom of the heel. Needles #2 & #3 are the top of the foot.

TIP Give the first stitch on needle #1 an extra tug to insure no gaps form along the bottom of the foot. Starting with needle #1 knit across all 4 needles one row. Now we will begin the decreases to form the gusset/ankle. We will decrease every other row, so you may want to use your counter to keep track. Decrease on odd number rows and work even on even number rows. Row 1 : on needle #1, knit until last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1, knit in pattern (K3, P1) across needles #2 & #3, on needle #4 k1, ssk, knit till end. Note: ssk is slip 2 stitches(one at a time) knitwise onto working needle, then insert left hand needle into stitches and knit together. this is a directional decrease that makes your sock look nicer.

Row 2: work even Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until needles #1 & #4 have 15(20) stitches remaining. Note: on the average size you will have one additional decrease on needle #1. You will begin to see the gusset/ankle take shape.

FOOT

Knit even until foot measures 7"(8") from heel.

TOE

Now we will begin to decrease the sides between the top and the bottom of the foot forming the toe.

Row 1 Needle #1: knit to last three stitches, k2tog, k1 Needle #2: knit 1, ssk, knit remaining stitches Needle #3: knit to last three stitches, k2tog, k1 Needle #4: knit 1, ssk, knit remaining stitches Row 2 Knit even across all 4 needles.

Continue until all needles have 6(8) stitches on each of them. Combine stitches on needle #4 and #1 by knitting across needle #1 leaving a total of 12(16) stitches on one needle. Slip purlwise the stitches from needle #2 to needle #3 leavin a total of 12(16) stitches on one needle. Now all stitches should be evenly on two needles

For a Seamless Toe, I recommend the kitchener stich to close the toe opening. For detailed instructions and pictures click this link and scroll to the bottom of the page.

How to Knit Socks (see Seamless Toe)

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