Little Feet

Sock knitting is at an all time high. They are one of the most portable projects and loved by all recipients. I just can't believe how long this phase has lasted, its great to hear the comments from knitters- "my family loves handknit socks and won't wear anything else", "everywhere I go, people compliment me on my colourful socks", "I am knitting for next Christmas, stashing all my completed socks in a basket until I have enough to wrap up and put under the tree."

From each and every ball of sock yarn, leftovers appear and start to pile up. If you get in the habit of dividing these bits into two equal size balls, eventually you will have enough to knit a full pair of socks, think of them as 'Joseph's Sock Of Many Colours'. The most mismatched and wildy patterned socks will be loved by all.

Don't forget Little Feet, they need all the warmth they can get too. Here is a simple pattern for baby sizes. It takes about 25 grams of sock weight yarn or use up those leftovers. They make great baby shower gifts as well.

BABY SOCKS

SIZE: 6 MON (adjust foot length for larger size)

NEEDLES: 2.75 MM NEEDLES DOUBLE POINT SET

YARN: 50G BALL OF KROY SOCKS

Cast on 36 sts. Divide sts evenly onto 3 needles. Join in round. Work in K2/P2 ribbing for 6 rounds. Cont in K rounds only, until work meas 4".

Make Heel- K9, turn, P18. Leave rem sts on spare needles and cont on these 18 sts only for heel as follows-

Next Row- *SL1, K1*, rep *to* across row, turn

Next Row- Slip 1st st, P to end, turn

Rep last 2 rows until heel meas 2.25" ending with 1st row.

Shape Heel-

SL1, P10, P2tog, P1, turn

SL1, K5, SL1, K1, PSSO, K1, turn

SL1, P6, P2tog, P1, turn

SL1, K7, SL1, K1, PSSO, K1, turn

SL1, P8, P2tog, P1, turn

SL1, K9, SL1, K1, PSSO, K1 = 12 sts

Instep-

Pick up and K 8 sts along side of heel, K across 18 sts from spare needle, pick up and K 8 sts along opposite side of heel, K 6 sts, slip rem 6 sts onto 1st needle and divide sts as follows- 14 sts on 1st needle, 18 sts on 2nd needle, 14 sts on 3rd needle = 46 sts. Dec as follows-

1st Rnd-(1st needle) K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1, (2nd needle) K across, (3rd needle) K1, SL1, K1, PSSO, K to end

2nd Rnd- K

Rep these 2 rnds until 36 sts remain. Cont even until foot meas 3" from picked up sts.

Shape Toe-

1st Rnd- (1st needle) K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1, (2nd needle) K1, SL1, PSSO, K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1, (3rd needle) K1, K1, SL1, PSSO, K to end

2nd Rnd- K

Rep these 2 rnds until 16 sts remain. Cut yarn and graft rem sts together.