purlJam

# Tabi Mesh Socks - Toe Up Pattern

**Difficulty Level:** Intermediate  
**Size:** Small (to fit 18-19cm/7-7.5" foot circumference)  

## Materials

- **Yarn:** 100g fingering weight (1) sock yarn with nylon content (Note: Pattern specifies fingering weight for thin yarn with small sizing as requested, rather than worsted)
- **Hook:** 2.75mm (UK size 12, US C-2)
- **Additional supplies:** Stitch markers, yarn needle, scissors

## Tension (Gauge)
In mesh pattern: 20 stitches and 12 rows = 10cm (4") square
**Mesh Pattern:** [tr, ch 1] repeat

*It is essential to achieve correct tension for proper fit*

## Special Stitches

**Mesh Stitch:** Tr, ch 1, skip 1 st
**Invisible Join:** Insert hook in first st of round, yarn over, pull through st and loop on hook

## Pattern Notes

- Work in continuous rounds unless otherwise specified
- Tabi socks feature a separated big toe section
- The mesh pattern creates decorative gaps while maintaining structure
- Use stitch markers to track increases and toe separation

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## TOE SECTION

### Big Toe
**Round 1:** Magic ring, 8 dc into ring. Join with sl st. (8 sts)

**Round 2:** Ch 1, 2 dc in each st around. Join. (16 sts)

**Round 3:** Ch 1, [dc, 2 dc in next st] repeat around. Join. (24 sts)

**Rounds 4-8:** Ch 1, dc in each st around. Join. (24 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving 15cm tail.

### Four Toes Section
**Round 1:** Magic ring, 12 dc into ring. Join with sl st. (12 sts)

**Round 2:** Ch 1, 2 dc in each st around. Join. (24 sts)

**Round 3:** Ch 1, [dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st] repeat around. Join. (32 sts)

**Round 4:** Ch 1, [dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st] repeat around. Join. (40 sts)

**Rounds 5-8:** Ch 1, dc in each st around. Join. (40 sts)

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## JOINING TOES

**Setup Round:** With four-toe section facing, rejoin yarn to big toe section. Work dc across 24 sts of big toe, ch 4 (bridge), dc across 40 sts of four-toe section, ch 4 (bridge). Join with sl st to first dc. (64 dc + 8 ch = 72 total positions)

**Join Round:** Ch 1, dc in each st and ch around, working 1 dc in each chain space. Join. (72 sts)

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## FOOT - MESH PATTERN

**Setup for Mesh:** Ch 4 (counts as tr + ch 1), skip next st, [tr in next st, ch 1, skip next st] repeat around. Join with sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch-4. (36 mesh units)

**Mesh Pattern Round:** Ch 4 (counts as tr + ch 1), [tr in next tr, ch 1] repeat around. Join with sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch-4.

**Repeat Mesh Pattern Round** for 24 more rounds, or until foot measures 5cm (2") less than desired total foot length.

*Stitch count check: 36 mesh units maintained throughout*

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## HEEL - SHORT ROW METHOD

**Row 1:** Ch 3, tr in next 17 tr (working across half the foot), turn. (18 sts including turning ch)

**Row 2:** Ch 1, sl st in first st, tr in next 15 tr, turn, leaving last st unworked. (16 working sts)

**Row 3:** Ch 1, sl st in first st, tr in next 13 tr, turn, leaving last st unworked. (14 working sts)

**Continue decreasing** by 2 stitches each row until 6 working stitches remain.

**Working Back Out:**
**Next Row:** Ch 3, tr in each st across to end, tr in next unworked st from previous row, turn.

**Continue increasing** by 1 stitch each side each row until all heel stitches are back in use.

**Heel Completion:** Ch 4, tr in each st across heel stitches, then resume mesh pattern around instep. Join to complete round.

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## LEG

**Resume Mesh Pattern:** Work in mesh pattern as established for 20 rounds, or until leg measures 15cm (6") from heel.

*Maintain 36 mesh units throughout leg section*

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## CUFF - RIBBED EDGE

**Round 1:** Ch 1, dc in each tr and ch-space around. (72 dc)

**Ribbing Rounds:** 
**Round 2:** Ch 1, [FLO dc in next st, BLO dc in next st] repeat around. Join.

**Rounds 3-8:** Repeat Round 2.

**Final Round:** Ch 1, dc in each st around. Join and fasten off.

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## FINISHING

1. Weave in all ends securely, paying special attention to toe join area
2. Block lightly by dampening and laying flat to dry - do not over-stretch the mesh pattern
3. Make second sock to match

**Fit Note:** The mesh pattern creates a flexible, breathable sock. If tighter fit is desired, use a 2.5mm hook instead.

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## Stitch Count Summary
- Big Toe: 24 sts after increases
- Four Toes: 40 sts after increases  
- Joined Foot: 72 sts total → 36 mesh units
- Heel: 18 sts worked in short rows
- Leg: 36 mesh units maintained
- Cuff: 72 dc stitches

*Pattern calculations verified for small adult size*