Navigation: home \ fiber arts \ knitting projects \ shadow box socks
Shadow Box Socks
Pattern from the book "Knit Socks!" by Betsy Lee McCarthy
Completed August 2006

Yarn: Patons Classic Wool Merino in "New Denim", a dark blue (the original pattern calls for Cascade 220)
100% wool, medium weight yarn.  One skein 3.5oz/100g/223 yds/204 metres
I ran out of yarn, so I substituted the toes with heathered gray yarn recycled from a J. Crew sweater.  Joined with felting method.

Needles: US 3 bamboo DPNs

Other tools: row markers and knit counter

Gauge: 24 sts = 4" in stockinette stitch

Directions:
I modified the directions, so I will be knitting 20 rows of k1p1 ribbing instead of the rolled top.

Shaped, slanted toes (my own design!):
Right sock Left Sock Stitch Count
Divide stitches so there are 12 st per needle
Note: For right sock: Start of round is on right edge.  First decrease is on the top of the sock, second decrease is on the bottom part, so they stay symmetrical.
Round 1: K K 48
Round 2-5: K2tog, K until last 2 st, SSK K until 2 st from left edge, then SSK, K2tog, K until end 40
Round 6-7: K K 40
Round 8-10: K2tog, K until last 2 st, SSK K until 2 st from left edge, then SSK, K2tog, K until end 34
Round 11-13: (same for both, since decreases are symmetrical)
K2tog, K until 2 sts until end of needle 2, SSK, K2tog, K until 2 st from end of needle 4, SSK		 22
Transfer stitches to two needles.
Divide stitches so there are 11 st per needle.
Close toe with Kitchener graft
Comments:
This yarn is just a touch scratchy (I think it's a merino blend, not 100% merino), but it also wears pretty well.  If I did this again, I'd probably use ArtYarn's Supermerino instead, since I do have very sensitive skin.  They are warm and the nubby feeling of the stitch pattern is nice.
Next time, I can make the cuffs shorter, so I won't run out of yarn.  I was only about 5 rounds away from the end of the second sock!  Argh!
Although it doesn't look bad with the alternate colored toes. ^_^  The modified toes are great for people with stubby toes like myself.

Back to the Knitted Projects Page