2-needle baby socks

I loved making these cute 2-needle baby socks.



The original pattern was written out by hand by a friend, and given to me 25 years ago - in the days before photocopying, scanning, or cut and paste !!

I made several pairs of these for my beautiful babies and for loads more baby shower gifts for friends - they are easier to make than the length of the instructions suggests!

I can knit socks in the traditional way - on 4 double-pointed needles - or on a circular needle but I just don't enjoy it. For me knitting is about the process as well as the finished product. If the making does not make me happy then I will not make the item again.

To give them a more contemporary look I added stripes. The original pattern is in one colour only.
Go on - give them a go .......

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/2-needle-baby-socks

Cute Baby Socks

DK yarn

3 ¼ mm and 4mm needles

Foot  length : 9cms (3 ½ “)

Using 3 ¼ mm needles cast on 26 stitches and work 6 rows in k2, p2 rib.

Change to 4mm needles and work in garter stitch (every row knit)  for 30 rows.

Break off yarn.

Divide stitches for the heel

Slip first 7sts onto a holder, rejoin yarn and knit 12sts, slip these sts onto a holder for the instep, knit to end then continue knitting across the 7 sts on the holder from the beginning of the row.

Turn and work on these 14sts to make the heel –

Work 7 rows in stocking stitch beginning with a purl row.

Shape the heel

K8, slip 1, k1, psso, turn

Slip 1, p2, p2 tog, turn

Slip 1, k3, slip 1, k1, psso, turn

Slip 1, p4, p2 tog, turn

Slip 1, k5, slip 1, k1, psso, turn

Slip 1, p6, p2 tog

Break off yarn and slip remaining 8sts onto a holder.

With right side of work facing, pick up and knit 6sts along the side of the heel, knit across the 8sts on the holder and pick up and knit 6sts along the other side of the heel.  (20sts)

Knit 1 row.

Shape the sole

K1, slip 1, k1, psso, knit to last 3sts, k2 tog, k1.

Knit 1 row.

Repeat the last 2 rows until 12sts remain, then work straight until the sole measures 5cms ( 2”), ending after a wrong side row.

Shape the toe

K1, slip 1, k1, psso, knit to last 3sts, k2 tog, k1.

Purl 1 row.

Repeat these 2 rows until 6sts remain.

Slip these 6sts on to a holder or a safety pin.

Instep

With wrong side of work facing, knit across the 12sts left on a holder.

Work in garter stitch (every row knit) until instep measure the same as the sole to the start of the toe shaping,  ending after a wrong side row.

Shape the toe

K1, slip 1, k1, psso, knit to last 3sts, k2 tog, k1.

Purl 1 row.

Repeat these 2 rows until 6sts remain.

Slip the 6sts stitches from the holder or safety pin onto a needle, and with right sides together cast off the 2 sets of stitches together.

To finish

Join back and foot seams.

Make another sock to match.