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# Nordic Star Cuff-Down Socks
**Difficulty:** Intermediate  
**Technique:** Stranded Colourwork (Fair Isle), Cuff-Down Construction

These socks feature a classic geometric Nordic star motif on the leg, a durable slipped-stitch heel, and a comfortable plain foot. The pattern is designed with an 8-stitch repeat to fit all sizes perfectly.

### MATERIALS
*   **Yarn:** Fingering weight / 4-ply sock yarn (approx. 400m/100g).
    *   **Main Colour (MC):** Approx. 60g-80g (e.g., Navy Blue)
    *   **Contrast Colour (CC):** Approx. 20g-30g (e.g., Cream/White)
*   **Needles:** 
    *   2.25mm double-pointed needles (DPNs) or circular needle for Magic Loop (or size needed to obtain tension).
    *   *Optional:* 2.5mm needles for the colourwork section if you are a tight knitter.
*   **Notions:** Tapestry needle, stitch marker, tape measure.

### TENSION (GAUGE)
32 stitches and 44 rounds = 10 cm x 10 cm in stockinette stitch.
*Critical Note:* Swatch in the round. If your colourwork is tighter than your plain knitting, use the larger needle size for the Chart section.

### SIZES
*   **Small (Child/Small Adult):** 56 sts (approx. 18-19 cm foot circumference)
*   **Medium (Adult Woman):** 64 sts (approx. 20-21.5 cm foot circumference)
*   **Large (Adult Man):** 72 sts (approx. 23-24 cm foot circumference)

---

### CHARTS
**Important:** Read charts from right to left, bottom to top. 
The chart uses an 8-stitch repeat.

**Key:**
`□` = Main Colour (MC)
`■` = Contrast Colour (CC)

**CHART A: Nordic Star (Leg)**
*Repeat the 8-stitch width across the round.*
```
Row 9:  □□□■■□□□
Row 8:  □□■■■■□□
Row 7:  □■■□□■■□
Row 6:  ■■□□□□■■
Row 5:  ■□□□□□□■
Row 4:  ■■□□□□■■
Row 3:  □■■□□■■□
Row 2:  □□■■■■□□
Row 1:  □□□■■□□□
```

---

### INSTRUCTIONS

#### 1. CUFF
Using MC and smaller needles, cast on **56 (64, 72)** sts using a stretchy cast-on (like the German Twisted or Long Tail). 
Divide stitches evenly across needles (e.g., 4 DPNs or Magic Loop). Join in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker for beginning of round.

Work in k2, p2 ribbing for 2.5 cm - 4 cm depending on preference.

#### 2. LEG (Colourwork)
Switch to larger needles (if using) for the colourwork section to maintain elasticity.
Join CC.

**Setup Round:** Knit one round plain in MC.
**Begin Chart:** Work Rows 1–9 of **CHART A** repeatedly until the leg measures approx. 15 cm (6 inches) from the cast-on edge. 
*Stitch Count Check:*
*   Small: 7 repeats of Chart A
*   Medium: 8 repeats of Chart A
*   Large: 9 repeats of Chart A

Break CC leaving a 15 cm tail to weave in later. Continue in MC only. Switch back to smaller needles (if changed).
Knit plain in MC for 1.5 cm.

#### 3. HEEL FLAP
You will now work back and forth in rows on half the stitches. The other half (instep stitches) remain on hold.
**Heel Stitches:** 28 (32, 36) sts.
**Instep Stitches:** 28 (32, 36) sts.

**Row 1 (RS):** *Sl1, k1*, repeat from * to * to end of heel needles. Turn.
**Row 2 (WS):** Sl1, purl to end. Turn.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until the heel flap is square (approx. same length as width):
*   **Small:** 28 rows
*   **Medium:** 32 rows
*   **Large:** 36 rows

#### 4. HEEL TURN
This shapes the cup of the heel. Work only on the heel stitches.

**Row 1 (RS):** Sl1, k15 (17, 19), ssk, k1, turn.
**Row 2 (WS):** Sl1, p5, p2tog, p1, turn.
**Row 3 (RS):** Sl1, knit to 1 stitch before the gap made on previous row, ssk (closing the gap), k1, turn.
**Row 4 (WS):** Sl1, purl to 1 stitch before the gap, p2tog, p1, turn.

Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until all side stitches have been worked.
*[Math Check: You should now have 18 (20, 22) heel stitches remaining.]*

#### 5. GUSSET
You will now join back in the round.

1.  **Pick up:** Knit across the remaining heel stitches. Pick up and knit **15 (17, 19)** sts along the left side of the heel flap (1 st per chain edge + 1 extra to close hole).
2.  **Instep:** Knit across the held **28 (32, 36)** instep stitches.
3.  **Pick up:** Pick up and knit **15 (17, 19)** sts along the right side of the heel flap. Knit to centre of heel. This is the new Beginning of Round (BOR).

**Total Stitch Count Check:**
*   Small: 18 (heel) + 15 + 15 (picked up) + 28 (instep) = **76 sts**
*   Medium: 20 (heel) + 17 + 17 (picked up) + 32 (instep) = **86 sts**
*   Large: 22 (heel) + 19 + 19 (picked up) + 36 (instep) = **96 sts**

**Gusset Decreases:**
**Round 1:** Knit to last 3 sts of Needle 1 (Heel/Gusset side), k2tog, k1. Knit all Instep stitches (Needle 2). On Needle 3 (Gusset/Heel side), k1, ssk, knit to end.
**Round 2:** Knit all stitches.

Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until you return to your original stitch count of **56 (64, 72)** sts.

#### 6. FOOT
Continue in plain stockinette stitch (knit every round) in MC until the foot measures 5 cm (2 inches) less than the desired total length.

*Length Guidelines (approximate):*
*   Small (EU 35-37): Work until foot is 17 cm.
*   Medium (EU 38-40): Work until foot is 19 cm.
*   Large (EU 41-43): Work until foot is 21 cm.

*(Optional: For a matching detail, you may work Rows 1-3 of Chart A once just before starting the toe decreases).*

#### 7. TOE
**Round 1:**
*   Needle 1 (Sole): Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
*   Needle 2 (Instep): K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
*   Needle 3 (Sole): K1, ssk, knit to end.
*   *(If using Magic Loop: Decrease at start and end of both needles: K1, ssk... k2tog, k1)*

**Round 2:** Knit all stitches.

Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until **28 (32, 36)** stitches remain.
Then, repeat **Round 1 only** (decrease every round) until **16 (16, 20)** stitches remain.

#### 8. FINISHING
Cut yarn leaving a 25 cm tail.
Divide the remaining stitches equally onto two needles (Sole vs Instep).
Use the **Kitchener Stitch** (grafting) to close the toe seamlessly:
1.  **Setup:** Front needle Purlwise (leave on), Back needle Knitwise (leave on).
2.  **Front:** Knitwise (slip off), Purlwise (leave on).
3.  **Back:** Purlwise (slip off), Knitwise (leave on).
4.  Repeat steps 2-3 until all stitches are grafted.

Weave in all ends on the inside. Block the socks—this is crucial for colourwork to smooth out the stitches and make the pattern "bloom".

---
**Abbreviations (UK Terms)**
*   **k:** knit
*   **p:** purl
*   **st(s):** stitch(es)
*   **MC/CC:** Main Colour / Contrast Colour
*   **Sl1:** Slip 1 stitch purlwise (yarn at back)
*   **k2tog:** knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
*   **ssk:** slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
*   **RS/WS:** Right Side / Wrong Side