Malbec Sock Pattern

Published by Shana | Filed under Free, Knitting, Patterns

These socks were born out of laziness. I started these years ago (2? 3?) and despite how fast they actually knit up, I’ve mostly spent the last few years moving them out of my way. This is only fair, since the whole concept behind these socks was “meh, whatever” – afterthought heel, 1×1 ribbing so fit doesn’t have to be right, design that is forgiving to an extra row here or there. They’re even made of yarn I was wanting to get rid of.

Frankly, I can’t believe I put that much effort into describing these socks.

They’ll keep their original name, though. My Malbec socks are the color of my favorite wine and have a cable that’s a little wobbly from having a bit too much.

These socks are knit toe up using the magic loop method.

Supplies

240 yards Plymouth Yarn Happy Feet, Colorway 5 – Fingering, 90% Merino, 10% Nylon – Just over a skein

~25 yards contrast color – I used Miss Babs Yummy Toes in Pewter

32″ size 1 (2.25 mm) circs

Cable needle

Notes

CL – Slip 3 sts to cable needle, hold to front, p1, k1, p1, k1 from left needle, k1, p1, k1 from cable needle

CR – Slip 4 sts to cable needle, hold to back, k1, p1, k1 from left needle, p1, k1, p1, k1 from cable needle

SSK – Slip slip knit

K2tog – Knit 2 sts together

1×1 ribbing – K1, p1

Toe

Figure 8 cast on 20 stitches (10 on needle, 10 on cable)

Alternate increase and even rounds until there are 26 sts on each needle, 52 total.

• Increase round: K1, m1, knit until one stitch before end of needle, m1, k1. Repeat on second needle.
• Even round: Knit all stitches

Slip one stitch from needle 2 to needle 1, so you have 27 on needle 1 and 25 on needle 2.

Body of Socks

On all rounds, knit all stitches on needle 2. When the sock measures 8″ or your desired heel placement, knit a piece of scrap yarn across the needle 2 stitches. Then knit over those scrap yarn stitches again with the working yarn and continue in pattern.

Needle 1: Right foot

• Work 8 rounds 1×1 ribbing
• Work 14 sts 1×1 ribbing, CL, work 1×1 ribbing to end of needle
• Work 10 rounds 1×1 ribbing
• Work 14 sts 1×1 ribbing, CL, work 1×1 ribbing to end of needle
• Work 10 rounds 1×1 ribbing
• Work 16 sts 1×1 ribbing, CL, work 1×1 ribbing to end of needle
• Work 10 rounds 1×1 ribbing
• Work 18 sts 1×1 ribbing, CL, work 1×1 ribbing to end of needle
• Work 10 rounds 1×1 ribbing
• Work 18 sts 1×1 ribbing, CR, work 1×1 ribbing to end of needle
• Work 10 rounds 1×1 ribbing
• Work 18 sts 1×1 ribbing, CR, work 1×1 ribbing to end of needle
• Work 10 rounds 1×1 ribbing
• Work 16 sts 1×1 ribbing, CR, work 1×1 ribbing to end of needle
• Work 10 rounds 1×1 ribbing
• Work 14 sts 1×1 ribbing, CR, work 1×1 ribbing to end of needle
• Work 10 rounds 1×1 ribbing
• Work 14 sts 1×1 ribbing, CL, work 1×1 ribbing to end of needle
• Work 10 rounds 1×1 ribbing
• Work 16 sts 1×1 ribbing, CL, work 1×1 ribbing to end of needle
• Work 10 rounds 1×1 ribbing
• Work 18 sts 1×1 ribbing, CL, work 1×1 ribbing to end of needle

Proceed to the cuff before starting the second sock.

Imagine these cables are a drunken french man weaving his way through the streets of Paris. Pfsst! As though a Frenchman would drink South American wine.

Needle 1: Left foot

• Work 8 rounds 1×1 ribbing
• Work 8 sts 1×1 ribbing, CR, work 1×1 ribbing to end of needle
• Work 10 rounds 1×1 ribbing
• Work 8 sts 1×1 ribbing, CR, work 1×1 ribbing to end of needle
• Work 10 rounds 1×1 ribbing
• Work 6 sts 1×1 ribbing, CR, work 1×1 ribbing to end of needle
• Work 10 rounds 1×1 ribbing
• Work 4 sts 1×1 ribbing, CR, work 1×1 ribbing to end of needle
• Work 10 rounds 1×1 ribbing
• Work 4 sts 1×1 ribbing, CL, work 1×1 ribbing to end of needle
• Work 10 rounds 1×1 ribbing
• Work 4 sts 1×1 ribbing, CL, work 1×1 ribbing to end of needle
• Work 10 rounds 1×1 ribbing
• Work 6 sts 1×1 ribbing, CL, work 1×1 ribbing to end of needle
• Work 10 rounds 1×1 ribbing
• Work 8 sts 1×1 ribbing, CL, work 1×1 ribbing to end of needle
• Work 10 rounds 1×1 ribbing
• Work 8 sts 1×1 ribbing, CR, work 1×1 ribbing to end of needle
• Work 10 rounds 1×1 ribbing
• Work 6 sts 1×1 ribbing, CR, work 1×1 ribbing to end of needle
• Work 10 rounds 1×1 ribbing
• Work 4 sts 1×1 ribbing, CR, work 1×1 ribbing to end of needle

Cuff for both socks

Work 10 rounds 1×1 ribbing on both needles.

Bind off using a stretchy bind off. I like this one.

Afterthought Heel

Using one of the tips on your circ, pick up the stitches along the bottom of the waste yarn. Flip the sock so that the top of the
waste yarn is facing you and repeat the process again with the other tip. You should now have 52 stitches on your needles, 26 on each.

Join heel yarn. Knit 1 round, when you get to the gap between the top half and bottom half, pick up 2 additional stitch on each
side.

Knit 3 rounds

Begin shaping by working the following on both needles-

• K1,ssk, k until 3 sts remain, k2tog, k1
• Knit all sts

Continue to work these two rounds until 24 sts remain (12 on each needle).

Use kitchener stitch to lose the heel. Complete another heel on the second sock.

Weave in all the ends, and pour yourself a glass of wine.

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