Alma Mater Socks
Most of my sock knitting is for my husband. He likes them thick, a tightly knit gauge, and undeniably manly. This means worsted weight wool on 3.25mm (US 3) needles.
A few years ago, the only way I could convince him to wear two tones was if the second color was hidden in his shoe, preferably at the toe. He’s more flexible now.
Alma Mater Socks are great for using up odds and ends of wool. They also give you the chance to try out jogless joins where the stripes change on the upper part of the leg.
Materials
Worsted weight wool
3.5mm and 3.25mm needles
ravel cord to hold cast on stitches
This pattern fits an average width size 9 man’s foot.
Using 3.5mm (US 4), provisionally cast on 48 stitches with worsted weight wool main color (MC). The slightly larger needles give the rolled top a bit more give on the calf area.
Knit 10 rounds
Purl 1 round for top turning row
Knit 10 rounds
Bring the provisional cast on row up and knit together on the next round to close the top.
Once top hem finished, switch to 3.25mm (US3) needles and knit stockinette in the round until the piece measures 5 1/4 inches (13 cm)
Change to contrast color 1 (CC1) and knit 4 rounds. Change back to MC and knit 3 rounds.
Change to CC2 and knit 4 rounds. Change back to MC and knit 3 rounds.
With CC1, knit heel flap and heel turn.
When heel turn finished, change to MC to pick up gusset stitches and knit in 3 rounds.
Change to CC2 and knit 4 rounds.
Change to MC and knit 3 rounds
Change to CC1 and knit to toe.
I ran out of light blue so ended up with a two tone toe for one pair.
As mentioned at the top of the post, I decided to give the jogless join technique a try.
The first sock I didn’t do the jogless join and it shows.
Sock number two was my first attempt at the technique.
By the third sock, it’s looking pretty good.
The key seams to be how you weave in the ends. You want to cinch in the rows, rather than pull them apart.
I only did the jogless join on the stripes above the heel. I was concerned that after the gusset pick ups, it would rotate my foot stitches and twist the sock.
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November 16, 2010
2 comments
Hi, they are gorgeous, and the jogless join looks better each time! My hubby got used his “crazy socks”….now he loves them….a bit on the “wild side” LOL, Thanks for sharing! Cobi
how do you knit the heel flap. I did not see any instructions or did I over look it.