Hidden Stairways

Hidden Stairways Socks
by Erica Lueder

Materials

Yarn: Fingering Weight - approx 350-400yds. Sample sock knit with Bernat Baby Jacquards. Note: Sample sock and photographs appear courtesy of Valerie (Vallieskids on Ravelry).

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

Gauge: 36 sts per 4 inches (10cm)

Stairway Pattern

(Repeat from * to *)

Rows 1-2: *p2, k6*

Rows 3-4: *k1, p2, k5*

Rows 5-6: *k2, p2, k4*

Rows 7: *k3, p2, k3*

Row 8: purl

Row 9-10: *k6, p2*

Rows 11-12: K5, p2, k1*

Rows 13-14: *k4, p2, k2*

Row 15: *k3, p2, k3*

Row 16: purl

Slightly Modified Garter-Stitch Edged Eye of Partridge Heel

Row 1: k3, p to end

Row 2: p3, *k1, sl 1* to last 3 sts, k3

Row 3: k3, p to end

Row 4: p3, *sl 1, K1* to last 3 sts, k3

INSTRUCTIONS:

Cuff

CO 64 sts, divide evenly over 2 circular needles (32 sts each needle). Join for knitting in the round.

Work 20 rows of ribbing: *k1, p1*

Leg

Knit 1 row. Begin the Stairway Pattern for a total of 4 pattern repeats or until you have reached your desired length ending with row 8 or 16 of pattern.

Heel Flap

The heel flap is worked using ndl 2; ndl 1 is holding the instep sts. Knit the Slightly Modified Garter-Stitch Edged Eye of Partridge Heel Pattern for a total of 8 pattern repeats (32 total rows) ending with Row 4 of the pattern. This leaves 16 edge sts for pick up after the heel is turned.

Heel Turn

With WS facing you,

Sl 1, p 16, 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 18 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 16 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 (16 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 (16 sts) in pattern, pm, pu 1 extra st between instep and heel flap (to close gap), pu 16 heel flap sts, continue to knit across half of the heel sts (9 sts)

**at this point there should be 42 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 32 sts left on each needle (17 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 Stairways Pattern, ndl 2: St st) until you have reached your desired length ending with row 8 or 16 of the Stairways Pattern.

Toe

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

Row 1: decrease (30 sts per ndl)

Row 2 & 3: knit

Row 4: decrease (28 sts per ndl)

Row 5 & 6: knit

Row 7: decrease (26 sts per ndl)

Row 8 & 9: knit

Row 10: decrease (24 sts per ndl)

Row 11: knit

Row 12: decrease (22 sts per ndl)

Row 13: knit

Row 14: decrease (20 sts per ndl)

Row 15: knit

Row 16: decrease (18 sts per ndl)

Row 17: decrease (16 sts per ndl)

Row 18: decrease (14 sts per ndl)

Row 19: 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:

Hogwarts is such an incredible castle and I love reading all about the twisting and turning stairways and corridors in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter Series. These socks are a tribute to those who seek to learn the many secrets and secret places held within Hogwarts’ walls.