Children's Cable Clock Socks

Sizes 2 to 3 years.

REQUIREMENTS
YARN: 2-ounces of sport yarn.
NEEDLES: 1-pair #2 single-pointed.
Two Stitch Holders
GAUGE: 7 ½ sts to an inch.

Starting at the cuff, cast on 40 sts and work in ribbing of k 1, p 1, for 1 ¼ inches. Now work in the following pattern:

1st row: K 7, p 1, k 4, p 1, k 14, p 1, k 4, p 1, k 7.

2nd row: P 7, k 1, p 4, k 1, p 14, k 1, p 4, k 1, p 7.

3rd row: K 7, p 1, slip the next 2 sts onto a dble pt needle and hold in back of work, knit the next 2 sts, knit the 2 sts off the dble pt needle (cable), p 1, k 14, p 1, cable again on the next 4 sts, p 1, k 7.

4th row: Repeat 2nd row. Repeat these 4 rows for the pattern. Work until the piece measures 4 ½ inches in all, ending with 4th row of the pattern.

HEEL: Knit 10 sts, leave on the needle; place the next 20 sts for instep onto a st holder; place the remaining 10 sts onto a 2nd st holder. On the 10 sts work in stockinette stitch for 14 rows, (always slipping the first st on a purl row), ending with a purl row.

SHAPING OF HEEL:

K 2, sl 1, k 1, psso, k 1, turn; sl 1, p 3, turn;
k 3, sl 1, k 1, psso, k 1, turn; sl 1, p 5, turn;
k 4, sl 1, k 1, psso, k 1, turn; sl 1, p 5, turn;
k 5, sl 1, k 1, psso, no k 1, (6 sts).

With the same needle, pick up and knit 8 sts along side of heel; knit 20 sts from st holder; place these 34 sts onto a free st holder. Knit 10 sts from st holder and work in stockinette stitch for 15 rows, (always slipping the first st on a knit row), ending with a knit row.

SHAPING OF HEEL:

P 2, p 2 tog, p 1, turn; sl 1, k 3, turn;
p 3, p 2 tog, p 1, turn; sl 1, k 4, turn;
p 4, p 2 tog, p 1, turn; sl 1, k 5, turn;
p 5, p 2 tog, no p 1, (6 sts).

With the same needle, pick up and purl 8 sts along side of heel; purl the sts off st holder. NEXT ROW: Knit 16 sts; place a marker on the needle; k 16 sts; place a marker on the needle; knit 16 sts. Purl across next row, keeping markers in place.

GUSSET DECREASES: Knit to within 3 sts of first marker, k 2, tog, k 1; slip marker; knit 16 sts; slip marker; k 1, sl 1, k 1, psso, knit to end of row. 2nd row: Purl across row, keeping markers in place. Repeat these last 2 rows until 36 sts remain on the needle. Drop off markers. Now work in stockinette stitch until the sock measures 5 inches from the back of the heel, ending with a knit row. Purl 9 sts; place a marker on the needle; purl 18 sts; place a marker on the needle; purl 9 sts.

TOE DECREASES: Knit to within 3 sts of first marker, k 2 tog, k 1, slip marker, k 1, sl 1, k 1, psso, knit to within 3 sts of 2nd marker, k 2 tog, k 1; slip marker; k 1, sl 1, k 1, psso, knit to end of row.

NEXT ROW: Purl across row, keeping markers in place. Repeat these last 2 rows until 12 sts remain on the needle, ending with a knit row. Purl 2 sts together across the next row. Break yarn, leaving 12 inches. Thread a darning needle and draw thru the sts and fasten tight on the wrong side. Sew sole and back seam. Make the other sock the same way.