September 2, 2016

Cast on 30, inc -> 70

This is a really simple but highly effective mosaic pattern. The two yarns are rather different thicknesses but this doesn’t seem to be a problem. The sole pattern is a simple alternating slipped stitch - he always goes through socks on the ball of the foot and I wanted something simple to darn when the time comes. The only hiccup so far is the central spot row which, I have learned from experience, needs to be loosely stranded otherwise it (the spot) recedes into invisibility. B2 has slender feet so to mitigate the width I’ll try to make sure the length is extra snug.

September 3, 2016

Start increasing for gusset on spot row of 3rd full square (contrast colour) and use sole pattern across increased sts. Increase stitch on second, knit all, row of sole pattern. Increase to 16 gusset sts. Next round (CC) pattern foot and sole; next round (CC) increase 2 sts in each gusset to 18 sts; next round (MC) pattern foot, knit gusset sts and sole; next round (MC) pattern foot, knit first set of gusset sts, turn heel (increase 1 st at end of sole 36, work 13-10-13 before heel flap, knit all sts of last row of heel flap and dec 1 at end).

This ensures the sole pattern’s integrity, a row of MC knit sts in place for a smooth heel turn and heel flap and the CC in place for the next round after the heel is completed. It’s almost totally symmetrical other than one gusset has an extra row of MC. It also has the happy coincidence of having looser pattern rows across the foot at the point of maximum diameter (for most human lower appendages) at the top of the heel.

September 6, 2016

Reversing the colour sequence of the contrast for the second sock - it would have been difficult to make it an exact match and I wanted them to be obviously different.