purlJam

# Pattern: The "Vintage Vine" Lace Socks
**Designer:** [System Persona]
**Difficulty:** Intermediate (due to lace work)
**Construction:** Cuff-Down with Heel Flap

## Description
This pattern combines the beginner-friendly reliability of a traditional cuff-down construction with an elegant "Vintage Vine" lace motif (Little Arrowhead). While the construction follows a standard recipe, the lace panel adds an intermediate-level texture that looks intricate but is created with a memorable 4-round repeat. The lace provides excellent elasticity, ensuring a snug fit.

**Note:** This pattern is written for a pair of socks.

## Sizes
*   **Small (Child/Teen):** 56 sts | Fits approx. 18–19 cm (7–7.5") foot circumference.
*   **Medium (Average Woman):** 64 sts | Fits approx. 20–21.5 cm (8–8.5") foot circumference.
*   **Large (Men/Wide Woman):** 72 sts | Fits approx. 23–24 cm (9–9.5") foot circumference.

## Materials
*   **Yarn:** Approx. 100g (380–420m) of Fingering weight (4-ply) sock yarn. Wool/Nylon blend recommended for durability.
*   **Needles:** 2.25mm (US 1) Double Pointed Needles (DPNs) OR circular needles for Magic Loop.
    *   *Note: Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain correct tension.*
*   **Notions:** Tapestry needle, stitch marker, tape measure.

## Tension (Gauge)
32 stitches and 44 rounds = 10 cm (4") in Stocking Stitch.

## Abbreviations (UK Terminology)
*   **k:** knit
*   **p:** purl
*   **st(s):** stitch(es)
*   **sl1:** slip 1 stitch purlwise (unless otherwise noted)
*   **yo:** yarn over (create a stitch)
*   **k2tog:** knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
*   **ssk:** slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
*   **RS:** right side
*   **WS:** wrong side

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## Stitch Guide: Vintage Vine Lace
*(Worked over a multiple of 8 stitches)*
*   **Round 1:** K1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k2. `[Net change: 0 sts]`
*   **Round 2:** Knit all stitches.
*   **Round 3:** K2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k1. `[Net change: 0 sts]`
*   **Round 4:** Knit all stitches.

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## Instructions

### 1. The Cuff
Cast on **56 (64, 72)** sts using a stretchy cast-on method (e.g., Long Tail or German Twisted).
Distribute stitches evenly across needles and join in the round, being careful not to twist. Place a marker for the beginning of the round.

*   **Ribbing Round:** *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.
*   Work Ribbing for 4–5 cm (1.5–2").

### 2. The Leg
Work the **Vintage Vine Lace** pattern (Rounds 1–4) across all stitches.
*   **Small:** 7 repeats per round.
*   **Medium:** 8 repeats per round.
*   **Large:** 9 repeats per round.

Continue working the 4-round repeat until the leg measures approx. 15–18 cm (6–7") or desired length, ending on Round 4.

### 3. The Heel Flap
*Technical Note: You will now work back and forth in rows on only half the stitches. The other half (instep stitches) will be held on the cable or spare needles.*

Set aside the **Instep Stitches**: 28 (32, 36) sts.
Work the **Heel Flitches**: 28 (32, 36) sts.

**Setup Row (RS):** K28 (32, 36), turn work.
**Row 1 (WS):** Sl1, p to end.
**Row 2 (RS):** *Sl1, k1; repeat from * to end.

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.
End after a WS row.

### 4. The Heel Turn (French Heel)
This shapes the cup of the heel.

**Row 1 (RS):** Sl1, k15 (17, 19), ssk, k1, turn.
`[Rem sts on left needle: 10 (12, 14)]`
**Row 2 (WS):** Sl1, p5, p2tog, p1, turn.
**Row 3:** Sl1, knit to 1 st before gap, ssk (closing the gap), k1, turn.
**Row 4:** Sl1, purl to 1 st before gap, p2tog (closing the gap), p1, turn.

Repeat Rows 3 & 4 until all side stitches have been worked.
**Stitch Count Check:** You should have 16 (18, 20) heel stitches remaining.

### 5. The Gusset
You will now join back in the round.

*   **Setup Round:**
    1.  Knit across the 16 (18, 20) heel stitches.
    2.  Pick up and knit **15 (17, 19)** stitches along the side of the heel flap. *(Tip: Pick up 1 extra st in the corner gap and knit it together with the next st on the next round to prevent holes).*
    3.  Work **Vintage Vine Lace Round 1** across the 28 (32, 36) Instep stitches.
    4.  Pick up and knit **15 (17, 19)** stitches along the other side of the heel flap.
    5.  Knit half of the heel stitches to reach the new Beginning of Round (centre of heel).

**Current Stitch Count:**
*   **Small:** 8 + 15 + 28 + 15 + 8 = **74 sts** (Need to decrease to 56)
*   **Medium:** 9 + 17 + 32 + 17 + 9 = **84 sts** (Need to decrease to 64)
*   **Large:** 10 + 19 + 36 + 19 + 10 = **94 sts** (Need to decrease to 72)

**Gusset Decrease Rounds:**
*   **Round 1 (Decrease):** Knit to last 3 sts of needle 1 (heel/gusset), k2tog, k1. Work Pattern Round 2 across Instep sts. On needle 3 (gusset/heel), k1, ssk, knit to end. `[2 sts decreased]`
*   **Round 2 (Plain):** Knit all sole sts; Work Pattern Round 3 across Instep sts.

Repeat these two rounds (maintaining the 4-round lace repeat on the Instep only, and Stocking Stitch on the sole) until you return to your original stitch count: **56 (64, 72) sts**.

### 6. The Foot
Continue working straight:
*   **Sole:** Stocking Stitch (knit every round).
*   **Instep:** Vintage Vine Lace pattern.

Continue until the foot measures approx. 5 cm (2") less than total desired foot length.
*   *Small (EU 38-39 approx): Work to 18 cm.*
*   *Medium (EU 40-41 approx): Work to 20 cm.*

### 7. The Toe
Discontinue lace pattern; work entirely in Stocking Stitch (knit all sts).

*   **Round 1:** Knit.
*   **Round 2 (Decrease):**
    *   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. `[4 sts decreased]`

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

### 8. Finishing
1.  Cut yarn leaving a 25 cm (10") tail.
2.  Use the **Kitchener Stitch** (grafting) to close the remaining stitches seamlessly.
    *   *Setup:* Front needle (knit off, purl on). Back needle (purl off, knit on).
3.  Weave in all ends on the inside.
4.  Block the socks (wet or steam) to open up the lace pattern—this is crucial for the "Vintage Vine" pattern to show correctly.