Pattern: Clover Fields Toe Up Socks

Size:
Pattern is written for a size 8 (US) women's foot.

Materials:
Size 1 double pointed needles
1 skein Patons Kroy Socks in Clover Colors (CC)
1 skein Patons Kroy Socks in Flax (MC)
Scrap yarn

Abbreviations:
K - knit
P - purl
Sl - slip unworked stitch from left needle to right needle
SSK - slip unworked stitch from left needle to right needle knitwise. Slip a second unworked stitch from the left needle to the right needle knitwise. Slip those two unworked stitches separately back to the left needle purlwise. Knit those two stitches together in the back of the  stitches (decrease)
K2tog - knit two stitches together (decrease)
P2tog - purl two stitches together (decrease)
Inc - knit into the front and back of the same stitch (increase)
Yo - yarn over

Clover Fields Pattern:
The pattern is written to begin during the toe shaping, then once the toe shaping ends at the first arrow, repeat the pattern between the two arrows. Each square represents one stitch. The MC is in white on the chart and the CC is in black on the chart.

Instructions:
Using the provisional cast on method, cast on 13 stitches
Row 1: P across
Row 2: K across
Row 3: P across

Remove live stitches from scrap yarn and place them on a double pointed needle. You should have 26 sts distributed evenly between four needles, though the first and third needle should have one more stitch each than the second and fourth needle. Begin knitting in the round.

Round 4: *K2, Inc, K until the end of the needle, K across next needle until last 3 sts, Inc, K2.* Repeat from * to * end.

Round 5: Needle 1 - K2, Inc, K across needle
          Needle 2 - K across needle to last 3 sts, Inc, K2
          Needle 3 - K2, Inc, K across needle
          Needle 4 - K across needle to last 3 sts, Inc, K2

Repeat Round 5 until you have 46 sts total.

Round 6: K across
Round 7: Needle 1 - K2, Inc, K across needle
        Needle 2 - K across needle to last 3 sts, Inc, K2
        Needle 3 - K2, Inc, K across needle
        Needle 4 - K across needle to last 3 sts, Inc, K2

Repeat Rounds 6 and Round 7 until you have 74 sts total

Foot: 
Work the Clover Fields Pattern across all needles. Work until the sock is the length from the toe to the bend of your ankle at the top of your foot.

Heel Flap:

Turn so WS is facing and work across Needles 3 & 4 only (leave Needles 1 & 2 unworked and to the side). Work using the MC only. 

Row 1: Sl 1, P across

Row 2: Sl 1, K across

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 ten more times (11 repeats total, or 22 rows).

Row 3: P19, P2tog, P1, turn (leave rem sts unworked) 

Row 4: Sl 1, K3, K2tog, K1, turn (leave rem sts unworked) 

Row 5: Sl 1, P4, P2tog, P1, turn (leave rem sts unworked) 

Row 6: Sl1, K5, K2tog, K1, turn (leave rem sts unworked)  

Row 7: Sl1, P6, P2tog, P1, turn (leave rem sts unworked) 

Row 8: Sl1, K7, K2tog, K1, turn (leave rem sts unworked) 

Row 9: Sl1, P8, P2tog, P1, turn (leave rem sts unworked) 

Row 10: Sl1, K9, K2tog, K1, turn (leave rem sts unworked) 

Row 11: Sl1, P10, P2tog, P1, turn (leave rem sts unworked) 

Row 12: Sl1, K11, K2tog, K1, turn (leave rem sts unworked) 

Row 13: Sl1, P12, P2tog, P1, turn (leave rem sts unworked) 

Row 14: Sl1, K13, K2tog, K1, turn (leave rem sts unworked) 

Row 15: Sl1, P14, P2tog, P1, turn (leave rem sts unworked) 
Row 16: Sl1, K15, K2tog, K1, turn (leave rem sts unworked) 
Row 17: Sl1, P16, P2tog, P1, turn (leave rem sts unworked) 
Row 18: Sl1, K17, K2tog, K1, turn (leave rem sts unworked) 
Row 19: Sl1, P18, P2tog, turn 

Row 20: K across. Split the remaining heel flap sts so there's 10 sts per needle (now Needle 3 and 4). Begin working in the round again.

Round 8: Continue working in Clover Fields Pattern again until the Ribbing at the end. Pick up and K11 sts along heel flap edge on Needle 4; K across Needles 1 & 2; pick up and K11 sts along the other heel flap edge with Needle 3 and K remaining sts on Needle 3. K across Needle 4 to get to the end of the round.

Gusset Shaping: (decrease)

Round 9: Needles 1-2 - K across.
       Needle 3 - K1, SSK, K across.
       Needle 4 - K across until last 3 sts, K2tog, K1.

Round 10: K across.

Repeat Round 9 and Round 10 until there are 74 sts total. 

Continue working in the Clover Fields Pattern until you reach 1/2 inch less than your desired length.

Ribbing:

Rounds 11-14: K1, P1 across.

Bind off loosely.

Find me on Instagram and tag me in your photos! I'd love to see your work. @knitabitcrochetaway

Read More

Lotus Moon Crochet Along

I published my first Crochet Along (CAL) project in 2011 after encouragement to do so from my friend knitwear designer Debbie Abrahams who has herself run a Knit Along blanket club for the last 10 years. I have always loved designing CAL projects as I tend to get a bit bored with repeated blocks and love the challenge of adding lots of different elements and techniques to a design.

Crochet Along 2011

Since my first Crochet Club in 2011 crochet along projects have become incredibly popular - indeed my 2 most recent CAL projects, Lily Pond Blanket and Frida's Flowers Blanket have had thousands of participants world wide and my designs are just a drop in the ocean in the world of Crochet Along projects as there are so many fabulous CALs to choose from. My current favourites include Sophie's Universe, which, more than a year on from the launch of the the CAL, has me totally in awe of Dedri Uys's expert stitch construction and the Last Dance on the Beach CAL from Scheepjes.

Despite the fact that I love these designs, there are very few CAL projects that I have the time to work on even though I would love to spend my days working through other designers projects! However in the last few weeks I have fallen head over heels in love with 2 current Crochet Alongs - one is Sue Pinner's Carousel CAL which you can find a link for yarn packs for by following this link. The CAL starts in September (I am planning to follow it using the Batik yarn) and it has a really fun theme of circuses and travelling fun fairs. there are 2 colour ways to choose from, or, as the patterns will be free via the Stylecraft web site you could choose to use up yarns from your stash.

The other project that I am really keen to have a go at is the Lotus Moon Tiles CAL by Polly Plum from Every Trick on the Hook. To join the CAL you need to purchase the wonderfully in depth pattern via Polly Plum's Ravelry page (the link is here). Then you can join the Facebook group, which already has almost 2000 members, to see other people's interpretations of the design and especially really great ideas for yarn colour combinations.

The pattern is written for a Worsted Weight yarn, but I am going to do mine using Stylecraft Special DK and part of the reason I want to work through the whole project is so that we can work out yarn amounts and have dedicated kits on the web site - with the kind permission of Polly Plum of course! The CAL runs until the 19th October with weekly updates on the Facebook page.

I have already worked through one complete main motif using shades from the Stylecraft Special DK range, but to be honest the colours are not totally doing it for me and so I am going to do the blanket in a slightly different choice of shades. Below is an image of the original colour way which I want to emulate. I am happy with my first 2 colour choices - cream and yellow - as I don't think I can go too wrong with these!

The first stage of the CAL and therefore this week's task before the next stage on Monday is to make the first 3 rounds. The original pattern (for Worsted weight yarn) is for 12 main motif, but as my pieces are going to come up smaller because I am using DK weight I am going to make 20. I am also using a smaller hook.

I have sat this evening and worked through a couple of motifs. I need to work through about 3 or 4 a day to keep up with the pace of the CAL so hopefully I will get a little more spare time tomorrow - I am doing a workshop all day so perhaps a can squeeze a few sneaky rounds in during my lunch break? Anyway, I will let you know how I am getting on and will post again about the CAL next week.

Read More