Hen House Socks

The Henhouse socks are inspired by my love of, well, chickens. We have a small backyard flock and they bring us much entertainment (and eggs!).

These socks are worked from the top down and feature a stranded colorwork motif of chickens on the leg. A contrast color heel and toe add a fun touch.

Size

S (M, L), to fit finished foot circumference 7 (8, 9)” or 17.8 (20.3, 22.9) cm

Yarn

Miss Babs Hot Shot (80% superwash Merino wool, 20% nylon; 400 yards [365 meters]/ 115 grams): Oregon Mist (MC), 1 ball;

Miss Babs Hot Shot Toes (80% superwash Merino wool, 20% nylon; 133 yards [121 meters]/ 38 grams) Obsidian (CC), 1 ball

Needles

Size US 1 (2.25 mm) & US 2 (2.75 mm) dpns

Notions

removable markers; tapestry needle

Gauge

28 sts and 40 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st after wet blocking.

Abbreviations

Please see out standard abbreviations.

Pattern Notes

When more than one number is given, the 1st applies to size Small, the 2nd to Medium, and the 3rd to Large.

Colors are referred to as MC (main color) and CC (contrasting color)

The sock begins at the cuff. Stitches are cast on and distributed between 3 double pointed needles.

Needles 1&2 hold stitches for the back of leg, heel and sole. The third needle holds stitches used for the front of leg and instep. After the leg is worked, the heel is shaped with short rows; gusset stitches are picked up and the remainder of the foot and toe are worked.

Charts

Chart A – Sizes S and L

Chart B – Size M

Sock Instructions

Cuff

With MC and smaller needles, CO 48 (56, 64) sts using a stretchy CO method. Divide between 3 dpns as follows: (12, 12, 24) [(14, 14, 28), (16, 16, 32)]. Join for working in the round, being careful not to twist sts. A locking stitch marker can be used to denote the beginning of the round.

Work in k2, p2 ribbing until piece measures 1”/2.5 cm.

Leg

With MC, k 1 rnd.

Switch to larger needles. Join CC, do not break MC.

Begin Colorwork.

Work Rnds 1-23 of chart A (B, A) one time, repeating 3 (4, 4) times around the leg.

Break CC. With MC, knit 8 rnds.

Heel Flap

The heel flap is worked flat. Break MC. Join CC.

Set up Row: K across 24 (28, 32) sts. Turn work so WS is facing.

Row 1 (WS): K1, p to last st of heel flap, sl1 pwise wyif.

Row 2 (RS): K1, *sl1, K1; rep from * to last st, sl1 wyif.

Work Rows 1&2 11 (13, 15) more times.

Heel Turn

Row 1 (WS): Sl1, p12 (14, 16), p2tog, p1, turn.

Row 2 (RS): Sl1, k3, ssk, k1, turn.

Row 3 (WS): Sl1, p to within 1 st of gap, p2tog, p1, turn.

Row 4 (RS): Sl1, k to within 1 st of gap, ssk k1, turn.

Rep Rows 3&4 until all heel sts have been worked; 14 (16, 18) sts rem.

Break CC. Join MC.

Gusset

Knit across heel sts. With same needle, pick up and knit 12 (14, 16) sts along selvedge of heel flap. With 2^nd dpn, work across instep sts. With 3^rd dpn, pick up and knit 12 (14, 16) sts along other side of heel. Knit 7 (8, 9) heel sts onto this needle. Total sts: 62 (72, 82): 19 (22, 25) sts on needle 1, 24 (28, 32) sts on needle 2, 19 (22, 25) sts on needle 3.

Round now begins at center heel.

Rnd 1: Knit to last 3 sts on needle 1, k2tog, k1, work across instep sts on needle 2, at beginning of needle 3, k1, ssk, k to end. 2 sts decreased.

Rnd 2: K sts on needle 1, work instep sts in pattern on needle 2, k sts on needle 3.

Rep Rnds 1&2 until there are 48 (56,64) sts.

Foot

Work even in established patterns until foot measure 7.5-8″ (19-20.5 cm) from back of heel or about 2″ [5 cm] less than desired foot length.

Toe

Break MC. Join CC.

Rnd 1: On needle 1, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1; on needle 2, k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1; on needle 3, k1,ssk, k to end. 4 sts decreased; 44 (52,60) sts rem.

Rnd 2: Knit.

Rep Rnds 1&2 until 24 (28,36) sts rem.

Rep Rnd 1 only until 12 (12,16) sts rem.

Finishing

Use Kitchener stitch to graft the remaining toe sts together. Knit the second sock.

Weave in all ends. Soak the socks gently in lukewarm water for 5 to 10 minutes. Dry flat, using sock blockers if desired.