I took the first photo at the Scottish Games in Pleasanton, CA. This Screech-Owl is in total awe of Julie’s amazingly cute sock pattern. I LOVE these socks!!!

Knitting these for the second time for gifting, though I’m modeling in the photos. These are in a larger size and have a longer leg. Please read all of my important notes here:

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/kimmyz/owlie-socks/edit

The owl pattern doesn’t stand out quite as much in this darker color. However, their little eyes really pop with the metallic silver beads which were purchased at Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts. 80 beads are required for the sock with the longer leg, regardless of the size you knit.

I made the heel flap slightly longer this time. This enabled me to pick up 17 sts on each side for the gusset, including the extra stitch at the bottom. Followed Julie’s “Large Heel Flap” chart and then added 5 more rows, keeping the cable pattern in tact. It’s important to start and end the heel flap with a WRONG side row.

The toe on this larger size is slightly different than the way I knitted the toe on the medium size sock. This is due to the different cable detail on the outside edges of the instep. However, I ended the toe in the same manner - extending the center 12-stitch pattern all the way to the tip of the toe. I made some notes to myself about how I did the toe decreases (below).

Although the medium size fit my narrow foot just fine, I think I like the way this larger size fits me even better. The Owlie stitch pattern has the same effect as ribbing, so it hugs the foot very well. Others who have knitted this pattern, say that their socks turned out too tight. This is probably caused by the fact that the owls are created with cables which tend to draw the fabric in. Therefore, some people are choosing to knit a size larger than they normally would. I would recommend it - especially if you’re planning on throwing your socks in the dryer. These are definitely “cold weather socks” if using this wonderfully soft Knit Picks Stroll Tonal yarn.

Toe decreasing over 23 rounds (differs from medium size):

Used TWO circular needles. I started and ended the toe portion with decrease rounds.

The beginning/end of each round will be at the center of Needle 1 which holds the bottom-of-foot sts. Place a marker here at back of heel. Needle 2 holds the other half of the sts which are the top of the foot.

Rnd 1 (decrease round):

Needle 1 (bottom of foot starting from center marker): Knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1
Needle 2 (top of foot): P1, SKP, K1, P1, K7, Pattern center 12 sts, K7, P1, K1, K2tog, P1
Needle 1: K1, SKP, Knit to center marker (34 sts on each needle)

Rnd 2 (no decreasing):

Needle 1: Knit all sts
Needle 2: P1, C2F, P1, K7, Pattern center 12 sts, K7, P1, C2F, P1
Needle 1: Knit all sts

Rnd 3 (decrease round):

Needle 1: Knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1
Needle 2: P1, SKP, K1, P1, K6, Pattern center 12 sts, K6, P1, K1, K2tog, P1
Needle 1: K1, SKP, Knit to center marker (32 sts on each needle)

Rnd 4 (no decreasing):

Needle 1: Knit all sts
Needle 2: P1, C2B, P1, 67, Pattern center 12 sts, K6, P1, C2B, P1
Needle 1: Knit all sts

Continue in this manner (alternating with decrease rounds) until you have 12 sts on each needle. Cut yarn, leaving 16 inches. Graft toe closed with Kitchener stitch using tapestry needle.

Since I knit the large size (with 36 sts on each needle), the toe decrease portion was an additional 23 rounds - about 2.5 inches. I did not have to do any “toe transition” before starting the decreasing. However, if your foot is longer than size 9 (woman shoe), then you might have to do a few rounds of transition before starting the toe decrease section.