Magic Heel Socks DK Vanilla

INTRODUCTION: Greetings from the Woods of New Hampshire! I’m on a mission to fill every sock drawer in the world with beautiful, hand-knit socks. I felt the only way to achieve this mission was to design socks that EVERYONE could feel successful at knitting. I do realize that turning a heel and knitting a gusset aren’t the worst things in the world (in fact, some knitters really enjoy that step) but I’ve always dreaded it and it was the one thing that prevented me from knitting all the socks. CHOOSING YOUR SOCK SIZE: It’s very important to have negative ease and a snug-fitting sock when knitting your Magic Heel Socks. *If you want to get really accurate, measure your foot circumference around the ball of your foot (the padded area just under your toes) and measure the area around your heel and ankle (round to the nearest ¼”/.5 cm). Use the larger of these 2 numbers and multiply by .95; this should be the finished circumference of your socks. What exactly are the BENEFITS of knitting Magic Heel Socks? I’m so glad you asked! 1. No finicky heel means these socks are a complete joy to knit, especially for beginner or nervous sock knitters! 2. Knit cuff-down (but easily adjustable to be knit toe-up). 3. They’re ideal if you’re using self-striping yarn because your stripes will be uninterrupted. 4. They’re perfect for fast-growing children’s feet because they’re quick to knit and the heel can accommodate multiple sizes. 5. They make the best gift knits, especially when you’re not exactly sure what size feet your recipient has. The perfect way to keep them a surprise! MATERIALS: Each pair of socks will take approx.: 100 g / 240 yds / 219 m of DK wt sock yarn (MC) 20 g / 48 yds / 44 m of DK wt sock yarn (CC) *You can also substitute this yarn by holding 2 strands of fingering wt yarn held together. NOTIONS: Stitch marker/progress keeper Darning/tapestry needle Scissors Sock blockers (optional, but give a nice, finished look) NEEDLES: US 3 (3.25 mm) dpns, 9” (23 cm) short circulars, or long circulars if using the magic loop method (or size needed to obtain gauge). GAUGE: 26 sts + 36 rnds = 4” (10 cm) on size US 3 (3.25 mm) needles in stockinette stitch in the rnd (blocked). *Socks should have 10% negative ease. SIZES: • C1: 4.75–6” (12–15 cm) • C2: 6.5–7.5” (16.5–19 cm) • C3: 7.75–8.5” (19.5–21.5 cm) • A1: 8.5–9.5” (21.5–24 cm) • A2: 9.5–10.5” (24–26.5 cm) • A3: 10.5–11.5” (26.5–29 cm)