Fibermania

Circus Striped Socks

Since I have been enthralled of late with garter stitch and finding the perfect picot edge, (Baktus Beret) the urge to make matching socks in multiple yarns had to finally erupt.

Yarn: Sock or fingering in multiple colors
Pattern: For the cuff/leg: Using a crochet or your favorite provisional cast-on, pick up 40 stitches on size #2 or #3US needles, either dpns, circular or straights, it really doesn't matter since the cuff is knit flat.
Row 1: K
Row 2: K
Row 3: K until the end and then cast on 2 stitches and then cast those two stitches off (I mean bind off). This makes the blob at the end, aka Picot.
Row4: K
Simple eh? Change yarn after each set of four rows, and make 24 stripes or sets of these four rows.
Unravel the crochet cast on edge and put those stitches on another needle and join with a three needle bind off. Weave in the ends. This finishes off the cuff. The foot is up to you.

I use a standard pattern from Ann Norling which is based on 48 stitches. You may have a favorite one that has 56, 60, or 72 stitches for the foot of the sock. Since I used 48 it was a simple thing to pick up 2 stitches for every stripe at the base of the cuff. If you knit tighter and use a smaller needle, you will pick up more stitches per stripe. I knit two rounds in stockinette before beginning the heel flap which evens out or controls the stretchy cuff.

With these socks I am ready to join the circus!

PS Here's a free pattern for 48 stitch socks.