Designed as the weapon for the original Sock Wars, The International Sock of Doom has been designed for sheer, simple efficiency. An easy weapon to craft and customise. The rib heavy design has been engineered for adaptability to all manner of lower appendages (i.e. legs and feet).
Arsenal
- 100g DK yarn any kind/any colour ( I used 100% wool)
- 3.75mm/US5 double pointed needles (set of 4 or 5) or circular
- 1 darning needle
Tension
10 cm2 /4 inches2 = 22 stitches and 30 rows
Technicalities
- K Knit
- P Purl
- RS Right side
- SSK Slip one stitch, knit the next stitch, pass the slipped stitch over the knit stitch
- St(s) Stitch(es)
- Tog Together
Rib of Doom Instructions
- [K3, P3] work to end of round
- [K1,P1] work to end of round
THE PATTERN
Cuff
Loosely cast on 48 sts (alternate cable method is good for elasticity and neatness)
Work in K1, P1 rib for 2 cms/1 inch (7 rows)
Leg
Work in the Rib of Doom as described for 9cm/3.5 inches (28 rows) finishing with round 2
Heel Flap
Work over 24 sts (half total number) as described below for 6 cm/2.5 inches (18 rows) finishing with row 2
- (RS) Sl1, K to end
- Sl1, P to end
Turn Heel
- (RS) Sl1, K13, SSK, K1
- Sl1, P5, P2tog, P1
- Sl1, K6, SSK, K1
- Sl1, P7, P2tog, P1
- Sl1, K8, SSK, K1
- Sl1, P9, P2tog, P1
- Sl1, K10, SSK, K1
- Sl1, P11, P2tog, P1
- Sl1, K12, SSK
- Sl1, P12, P2tog = Total 14 sts left on needle
Gusset
- Knit 14 sts just worked on heel
- Pickup and knit 10 sts on the side of the heel flap
- Knit 24 sts on the other needles in the rib of doom pattern
- Pickup and knit 10 sts along the other side of the heel flap
You now have 58 sts on your needles. To make life easy for yourself shuffle them around so you have stitches arranged on your needles as below:
- Needle A 17 sts (these continue in stockinette)
- Needle B 24 sts (these continue in rib of doom)
- Needle C 17 sts (these continue in stockinette)
- Knit to last 3 sts on needle A, (K 2 tog, K1). Work 24 sts on B. Knit 1, ssk, k to end
- Knit all on needle A, work needle B in pattern, knit all on needle C
Continue working these two previous rounds 4 more times, until 48 sts remain on the needles.
Foot
Continue straight in pattern as established for the length of your victim's shoe size.
E.g. If your opponent's shoe size is US 8 Women's find it on the chart here http://www.i18nguy.com/l10n/shoes.html and read down the columns to find the length (in this example 25.7cms /10 1/8 inches). You need to account for the toe decrease, so subtract 5cm/2 inches from this measurement (in our example 20.7cm/8 1/8 inches). I'd also subtract a little more to allow for stretch.
Toe Decrease
Toes are worked in plain stockinette all the way round. Arrange your stitches evenly on 2 needles, with top of foot's 24 on one needle (needle A), and sole's 24 on the other (needle B).
- K1, ssk, k to final 3 on needle A, K2tog, k1. repeat on needle B (4 stitches decreased)
- K all stitches
Repeat these last two rounds 7 more times until there are 20 stitches left on the needles. Cast off and sew together on the reverse side, or work your grafting magic if you are so inclined.
Repeat for sock 2, and mail, mail, mail!
© Julie Gardner MMVI
