Snape's Stockings

Snape’s Stockings

By Erica Lueder

Materials:

Yarn: Fingering Weight - approx 350-400yds. Sample socks knit with Garnstudio DROPS Fabel 905 Colorway and Sunshine Yarn’s Twist Sock Yarn in the Snape Colorway.

Needles: US 1 (2.25mm) – set of 2 Circular Needles, or size needed to obtain gauge.

Gauge: 40 sts per 4 inches (10cm)

Garter and Slip Stitch Heel

Row 1 (and all odd rows): k3, p to end

Rows 2,4,6,8,10,12: p3, *k1, sl 1* to last 3 sts, k3

Rows 14,16,18,20,22,24: p3, *sl 1, k1* to last

3 sts, k3

Rows 26,28,30,32,34,36: p3, *k1, sl 1* to last

3 sts, k3

INSTRUCTIONS:

Cuff

CO 72 sts, divide evenly over 2 circular needles (36 sts each needle). Join for knitting in the round.

Work 20 rows of ribbing: *k1,p1*

Leg

Knit 1 row. Begin the main leg pattern (see chart below) for a total of 3 pattern repeats or until you have reache d your desired length ending with row 11 or 23 of pattern.

Heel Flap

The heel flap is worked using ndl 2; ndl 1 is hold

ing the instep sts. Knit the Garter and Slip

Stitch Heel Pattern for a total of 9 pattern repeats (36

total rows). This lea

ves 18 edge sts for pick up after the heel is turned.

Heel Turn

Instructions for substituting a Dutch heel/gusset (if one so chooses) appears immediately after the following heel turn/gusset instructions.

With WS facing you,

Sl 1, p 18, p2tog, p1, turn

Next row: sl 1, k3, ssk, k1, turn

Next row: sl 1, p4, p2tog, p1,

turn

Next row: sl 1, k5, ssk, k1, turn

Next row: sl 1, p6, p2tog, p1, turn

Next row: sl 1, k7, ssk, k1, turn

**continue in this manner until all sts are have been knit – there should be 20 heel sts left on the needle at this point.**

Pick up (pu) the heel flap sts.

Using the ndl holding the heel sts (now referred to as ndl 1): pu 18 sts

along the heel flap, pu 1 extra st between the heel flap and the instep (to close the gap), pm, k across half of the instep sts (18 sts) in

pattern. Switch to the other needle (now referred to as ndl 2).

Using ndl 2: continue across second half of the instep sts (18 sts) in pattern, pm, pu 1 extra st

between instep and heel flap (to close gap), pu 18 heel flap sts, continue to knit across half of the heel sts (10 sts)

**at this point there should be 47 sts on each needle**

Gusset

Set up row:

Ndl 1: k across the heel and heel flap sts until you reach 2 sts before the marker, ssk, sm,

continue to knit across the instep sts in pattern.

Ndl 2: k across the instep sts in pattern, sm, k2tog, k to end

Now we’re ready to get going on the gusset.

Row 1: Ndl 1: k to 3 sts before marker, k2tog,

k1, sm, knit instep sts in pattern. Ndl 2: k across instep sts in pattern, sm, k1, ssk, k to end

Row 2: Ndl 1: K to marker, sm, continue across instep sts in

pattern. Ndl 2: k across instep sts in pattern, sm, k to end

**Repeat these 2 rows until there are 36 sts left on each

needle (21 gusset rows total, not including the set-up row)**

Redistribute the sts so ndl 1 carries the instep sts and ndl 2

carries the sole sts.

Heel Turn – Dutch Heel Instructions

With WS facing you,

Sl 1, p 22, p2tog, turn

Next row: sl 1, k10, ssk, turn

Next row: sl 1, purl to 1 st before gap, p2tog, turn

Next row: sl 1, knit to 1 st before gap ssk, turn

**continue in this manner until all sts are have been knit – there should be 12 heel sts left on the needle at this point.**

Pick up (pu) the heel flap sts.

Using the ndl holding the heel sts (now referred to as ndl 1): pu 18 sts along the heel flap, pu 1 extra st between the heel flap and the instep (to close the gap), pm, k across half of the instep sts (18 sts) in pattern. Switch to the other needle (now referred to as ndl 2).

Using ndl 2: continue across second half of the instep sts (18 sts) in pattern, pm, pu 1 extra st between instep and heel flap (to close gap), pu 18 heel flap sts, continue to knit across half of the heel sts (6 sts)

**at this point there should be 43 sts on each needle**

Gusset

Set up row:

Ndl 1: k across the heel and heel flap sts until you reach 2 sts before the marker, ssk, sm, continue to knit across the instep sts in pattern.

Ndl 2: k across the instep sts in pattern, sm, k2tog, k to end

Now we’re ready to get going on the gusset.

Row 1: Ndl 1: k to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, k1, sm, knit instep sts in pattern. Ndl 2: k across instep sts in pattern, sm, k1, ssk, k to end

Row 2: Ndl 1: K to marker, sm, continue across instep sts in pattern. Ndl 2: k across instep sts in pattern, sm, k to end

**Repeat these 2 rows until there are 36 sts left on each needle (11 gusset rows total, not including the set-up row)**

Redistribute the sts so ndl 1 carries the instep sts and ndl 2 carries the sole sts.

Instep

Continue knitting in pattern (ndl 1: the main leg pattern, ndl 2: St st) until you

have reached your desired length ending with row 12 or 24 of the main leg pattern.

Toe

Decrease rounds are knit as follows: *k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1*

Row 1: decrease (34 sts per ndl)

Row 2 & 3: knit

Row 4: decrease (32 sts per ndl)

Row 5 & 6: knit

Row 7: decrease (30 sts per ndl)

Row 8 & 9: knit

Row 10: decrease (28 sts per ndl)

Row 11: knit

Row 12: decrease (26 sts per ndl)

Row 13: knit

Row 14: decrease (24 sts per ndl)

Row 15: knit

Row 16: decrease (22 sts per ndl)

Row 17: knit

Row 18: decrease (20 sts per ndl)

Row 19: knit

Row 20: decrease (18 sts per ndl)

Row 21: decrease (16 sts per ndl)

Row 22: decrease (14 sts per ndl)

Row 23: decrease (12 sts per ndl)

Finishing

Cut yarn leaving

a 10 inch tail and weave

through remaining sts using the Kitchener technique. Weave in all ends and congratulate

yourself on

knitting a beautiful

sock. Now knit the other one if you haven’t already.

Abbreviations:

CO: cast on

k: knit

k2tog: knit 2 stitches together

ndl: needle

p: purl

p2tog: purl 2 stitches together

pm: place marker

pu: pick up

sl 1: slip one stitch as if to purl

ssk: slip, slip, knit

St st: Stockinette Stitch

sts: stitches

Inspiration:

Severus Snape is an often disliked and more often misunderstood character from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter Series. Snape, as he is often simply referred to, is a very complex character that is woven into every facet of the story – both the good and the bad. This particular stitch pattern reminded me of the competing sides that Snape glides through effortlessly while at the same time, complimenting each other and creating a depth of fabric.

Note: Above photo was taken by Anna (Absinthia on Ravelry).