Rugged Knits Pattern Highlight: Lily Toes
I'm back to highlighting Rugged Knits patterns and this week's project just makes me really happy. I wear boots all fall and winter and I tend to go for taller socks, so I knew I needed to include a pair of knee socks in the book.
CONSTRUCTION
- They're knit toe-up, which I like because it makes it easy to use up all your yarn - you can keep going on the first sock until you've just got half of your yarn left.
- I start them off with Jenny's Magic Cast-on, which is really fun and a great tool to have in your knitting knowledge toolbox.
- Gusset increases are worked in pattern for a clean look.
- Delicate cables adorn the outside of each sock leg, and form the counterpoint of the calf shaping.
- All-over broken rip pattern gives way to standard 1x1 ribbing at the top of the socks to make a stretchy cuff.
FIT
- I recommend knitting your socks with negative ease (meaning your actual foot is slightly larger than the size you pick to knit). A snug foot is more comfortable.
- These socks include helpful shaping in the foot and the calf for a good fit. If you need a different amount of shaping for your calves it's easy to work more or fewer increases along the leg.
YARN
I'm completely in love with this color, and the yarn is one I've been using for socks for years -Hazel Knits Artisan Sock in Midas. It's one of the happiest yellows ever. Artisan Sock is a slightly heavyweight sock yarn. It's a superwash Merino/Nylon blend that's really soft and comes in incredible colors.
TIPS FOR SUBSTITUTING
- Be sure to pick a sock yarn that's a bit on the heavy side. Superwash can be helpful for socks too. I really recommend using a worsted spun yarn (as opposed to a woolen spun one like Brooklyn Tweed Loft) because socks really need durability more than anything. A bunch of plies tightly twisted, and of course, majority wool content will also add toughness, stretchiness, and stitch definition to your socks.
- I'm not going to make any specific sub recommendations because I think we all have our favorite sock yarns. Go raid your stash!
MY FAVORITE DETAIL
The knee-high length and sweet cable make me really love these simple socks.
GENERAL TIPS
Be sure you're knitting at a firm gauge whatever yarn you use in order to keep your socks comfortable and durable.
Be sure to use the hashtags #RuggedKnits, #LilyToes, and #AndreaRangelKnits when you post pics of your Lily Toes projects!
PATTERN DETAILS
Finished Measurements
7 (8, 8.75, 9.75)” (18 20.5, 22, 25 cm) foot circumference and 15.5” (39.5 cm) long.
Shown in size 8” (20.5 cm).
Yarn
629 (679, 732, 782) yd (575 621, 669, 715 m) fingering weight (#1 Super Fine).
Shown here: Hazel Knits Artisan Sock (90% superwash merino wool, 10% nylon; 400 yd 366 m/120 g): color Midas, 2 (2, 2, 3) skeins
Needles
Size U.S. 2 (2.75 mm) set of 4 or 5 double- pointed (dpn), long circular (cir), two short circular needles, or other needles preferred for small-circumference circular knitting.
Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Notions
Markers (m); cable needle (cn); tapestry needle.
Gauge
34 sts and 51 rnds = 4” (10 cm) over St st.
33 sts and 52 rnds = 4” (10 cm) over Broken Rib.
Errata:
Page 100: Gusset
After Rnd 1, it should read:
Rnds 2 and 4: Knit
Rnd 3 (Increase): Knit to m, slm, k1, M1p, (k1, p1) to 2 sts before m, k1, M1p, k1; 2 sts increased
Rep last 4 rnds 4 more times—78 (86, 94, 102) sts; with 49 (53, 57, 61) for instep and 29 (33, 37, 41) for sole.
Page 101 Heel Turn, after Short-row 2, it should read:
Short-row 3: Knit to 2 sts before wrapped stitch, M1, k1, w&t.
Short-row 4: Purl to 2 sts before wrapped stitch, M1p, p1, w&t.
Rep last 2 rows 7 more times. The following stitch counts are correct.