purlJam

# Pink Shadow Wrap Socks (Cuff-Down)
**Technique:** Knitting | **Difficulty:** Intermediate

This is an intermediate knitted sock pattern worked cuff-down. Unlike the template reference, this pattern utilizes knitting needles to create a fine, elastic fabric suitable for the specified dimensions. The pattern features a "Broken Rib Column" design on the leg and instep to highlight the pink yarn, a durable Shadow Wrap heel, and a classic Wedge toe.

### Customization Notes:
1.  **Yarn weight:** Fingering/4-ply (sock weight) is required to meet the specific gauge.
2.  **Needle size:** 2.25mm (US 1) recommended. Adjust needle size to meet tension requirements.
3.  **Essential materials:**
    *   ~100g Sock yarn (75% Wool, 25% Nylon) in Pink.
    *   Set of 4 or 5 Double Pointed Needles (dpns) or 80cm circular needle for Magic Loop.
    *   Stitch markers.
    *   Tapestry needle.

### Construction Method (Cuff-Down):
*   **CUFF & LEG:** Worked in the round from the top down.
*   **HEEL (Shadow Wrap):** Worked back and forth over half the stitches using short rows. No gusset stitches are picked up; the heel is self-contained.
*   **FOOT:** Resumes working in the round. Instep continues in pattern; sole is worked in stocking stitch.
*   **TOE:** Wedge toe decreases to the tip, finished with Kitchener stitch.

### Size Guidance:
*   **Target Dimensions:** Foot circumference 21 cm (8.25"); Foot length 24 cm (9.5").
*   **Cast On:** 64 stitches. (Provides ~0.6 cm negative ease for a secure fit).

### Stitch Patterns:
*   **Ribbing:** K2, P2.
*   **Broken Rib Columns (Pattern Stitch):**
    *   *Rounds 1-3:* [K3, P1] repeat to end.
    *   *Round 4:* Knit all stitches.
*   **Stocking Stitch:** Knit every round (in the round) or Knit right side, Purl wrong side (flat).

### Key Techniques:
*   **Shadow Wrap Short Row:** A method of creating short rows where you knit into the stitch below the next stitch on the needle and pull it up, creating a "twin" stitch. This avoids wrapping and turning and closes gaps effectively.
*   **Kitchener Stitch:** Grafting live stitches for a seamless toe.

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### PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

**TENSION (GAUGE):**
32 stitches and 40 rows = 10 cm (4") in Stocking Stitch.
*Strict adherence to tension is required for fit.*

#### 1. CUFF
Using 2.25mm needles, cast on **64 stitches** using a stretchy cast-on (e.g., Twisted German or Old Norwegian).
Distribute stitches evenly across needles and join in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker for beginning of round (BOR).

*   **Round 1-15:** Work in K2, P2 ribbing for 4 cm (1.5").

#### 2. LEG
Begin **Broken Rib Columns** pattern.
*   **Rounds 1-3:** *K3, P1; repeat from * to end.
*   **Round 4:** Knit all stitches.

Repeat these 4 rounds until the leg measures 15 cm (6") or desired length from cast-on edge, ending with Round 4.

#### 3. HEEL (Shadow Wrap)
The heel is worked flat over the first 32 stitches (Heel Stitches). The remaining 32 stitches (Instep) are held unworked.

**Setup:** Knit across the first 16 sts of the round. Turn work. You are now positioned to start the Wrong Side (WS) row of the heel centered on the back of the leg.

**PART 1: Making Twins (Short Rows In)**
*   **Row 1 (WS):** Purl to last stitch, **Make Shadow Wrap (Purlwise)**: *Insert right needle into the loop of the stitch BELOW the next stitch on the left needle from back to front. Purl this loop and place it on the left needle. You now have a "twin" stitch.* Turn work.
    *   [Math: 32 active sts start]
*   **Row 2 (RS):** Knit to last stitch, **Make Shadow Wrap (Knitwise)**: *Insert right needle into the stitch BELOW the next stitch on the left needle. Knit it and place on left needle.* Turn work.
*   **Row 3 (WS):** Purl to the stitch *before* the twin stitch created in previous WS row. Make Shadow Wrap (Purlwise). Turn.
*   **Row 4 (RS):** Knit to the stitch *before* the twin stitch created in previous RS row. Make Shadow Wrap (Knitwise). Turn.

Continue working back and forth, making a new twin stitch at each turn, leaving one less single stitch in the centre each time, until you have **10 single stitches** remaining in the centre.
*   [Math check: 11 twin pairs left side + 10 single centre + 11 twin pairs right side = 32 sts base count].

**PART 2: Resolving Twins (Short Rows Out)**
*   **Row 1 (RS):** Knit across the 10 centre stitches. Knit the next twin-stitch (knit the two loops together as one). Make Shadow Wrap on the *next* stitch (this will create a triple-stitch). Turn.
*   **Row 2 (WS):** Purl to the twin-stitch. Purl the twin-stitch (purl two loops together). Make Shadow Wrap on the *next* stitch (triple-stitch). Turn.
*   **Row 3 (RS):** Knit to the triple-stitch. Knit the triple-stitch as one. Make Shadow Wrap on next st. Turn.
*   **Row 4 (WS):** Purl to the triple-stitch. Purl triple-stitch as one. Make Shadow Wrap on next st. Turn.

Continue until all side stitches have been processed. On the final RS row, knit across all heel stitches, knitting the final triple-stitches together as one.

**Resume in the round:** Knit across the 32 Heel stitches. Resume working the 32 Instep stitches in the **Broken Rib Columns** pattern.

#### 4. FOOT
*   **Needle 1 (Sole - 32 sts):** Knit all stitches.
*   **Needle 2 (Instep - 32 sts):** Continue Broken Rib Columns pattern (Start with Round 1).

Work even until the foot measures **19 cm (7.5")** from the back of the heel.
*   [Math: Total length 24 cm - 5 cm Toe allowance = 19 cm Stop point].

#### 5. TOE (Wedge)
Transition to Stocking Stitch for all stitches (Knit all rounds).

*   **Round 1 (Decrease):**
    *   Sole: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
    *   Instep: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
    *   [Math: 64 sts - 4 sts dec = 60 sts].
*   **Round 2:** Knit all stitches.

Repeat Rounds 1 & 2 until **32 stitches** remain.
*   [Math check: 64 start -> 32 target = 32 decreased. 32/4 per round = 8 dec rounds. 8 dec + 8 plain = 16 rounds. 16 rows / 10 rows/inch = 1.6"].

Then, repeat **Round 1 only** (decrease every round) until **16 stitches** remain (8 on sole, 8 on instep).
*   [Math check: 32 start -> 16 target = 16 decreased. 16/4 per round = 4 rounds. 0.4". Total toe length = 2.0"].

#### 6. FINISHING
1.  Cut yarn leaving a 30 cm (12") tail.
2.  Use the Kitchener Stitch to graft the remaining 16 stitches together seamlessly.
3.  Weave in all ends securely on the wrong side.
4.  Wash and block lightly to open up the fancy pattern on the leg.

**Pattern Modifications for the user:**
*   *Stripes:* Not applied (Solid pink requested).
*   *Fit:* Specific circumference 8.25" addressed via 64 stitch cast-on.
*   *Texture:* Broken Rib Columns applied to Leg and Instep only.