purlJam

# Undyed Elegance Mock Cable Socks
**Design & Technical Editing by AI Assistant**

This pattern is designed specifically for an intermediate knitter looking for a classic top-down sock with a decorative "Mock Cable" leg and instep. This stitch pattern creates the look of cables and eyelets but is much easier to knit and requires no cable needle. It transitions perfectly from your requested 2x2 ribbing.

### Pattern Information

**Description:**
A classic cuff-down sock featuring a 4-round Mock Cable repeat that mimics twisted cables with eyelets. The pattern runs down the leg and across the top of the foot (instep), with a durable slip-stitch heel flap and smooth stockinette sole.

**Finished Measurements:**
*   **Foot Circumference:** Fits approx. 20.5–21.5 cm (8–8.5 inches).
*   **Foot Length:** Adjustable. (Pattern includes calculations for your 9.5" foot).

**Yarn:**
*   Knit Picks Hawthorne Fingering (80% Superwash Fine Highland Wool, 20% Polyamide).
*   Colour: Undyed.
*   Quantity: 100g skein (approx. 357 yards). This makes a full PAIR.

**Needles:**
*   2.5mm (US 1.5) – Double Pointed Needles (DPNs) OR circulars for Magic Loop.
*   *Note: Use the size needed to obtain gauge.*

**Tension (Gauge):**
*   32 sts & 40 rounds = 10 cm (4 inches) in Stockinette Stitch.
*   *Tech Editor Note:* Please check your tension. If you have fewer stitches per inch, go down a needle size.

**Notions:**
*   Stitch marker (to mark start of round).
*   Tapestry needle (for Kitchener stitch and weaving ends).
*   Tape measure.

**Abbreviations (UK/Standard):**
*   **K:** Knit
*   **P:** Purl
*   **Sl1:** Slip 1 stitch purlwise
*   **Yo:** Yarn over (creates an eyelet)
*   **K2tog:** Knit 2 together (decrease)
*   **SSK:** Slip, Slip, Knit (decrease)
*   **Psso:** Pass slipped stitch over
*   **RS/WS:** Right Side / Wrong Side
*   **Sts:** Stitches

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### Stitch Pattern: Mock Cable Rib
*Worked over a multiple of 4 stitches.*
*   **Rnds 1 & 2:** \*K2, P2; rep from \* to end.
*   **Rnd 3:** \*K1, yo, k1, P2; rep from \* to end. [Check: stitch count increases to 5 per repeat temporarily].
*   **Rnd 4:** \*Sl1 knitwise, K2, psso (pass the slipped stitch over the 2 just knitted), P2; rep from \* to end. [Check: stitch count returns to original].

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### Instructions

#### 1. Cuff
Cast on **64 sts** using a stretchy method (e.g., German Twisted or Long Tail).
Distribute stitches evenly (e.g., 16 sts per needle if using 4 DPNs, or 32/32 for Magic Loop). Join in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker for Start of Round (BOR).

Work in **K2, P2 Ribbing** for **4 cm (1.5 inches)**.
*   *Tech Check: 1.5 inches x 10 rows/inch = approx 15 rounds.*

#### 2. Leg
Begin **Mock Cable Rib** pattern (Rounds 1–4).
Work these 4 rounds until the leg measures approx 15–18 cm (6–7 inches) from the cast-on edge, or desired length. End after finishing **Rnd 4** of the pattern.

#### 3. Heel Flap
You will work the heel flap back and forth in rows on the first 32 stitches (Needles 1 & 2). The remaining 32 stitches (Needles 3 & 4) will be held for the instep.

**Setup:** Knit across the first 16 sts of the round. Turn work. You are now on the WS. Purl 32 sts. These 32 sts are your Heel Flap.

**Work Heel Flap Rows:**
*   **Row 1 (RS):** \*Sl1, K1; rep from \* to end.
*   **Row 2 (WS):** Sl1, Purl to end.

Repeat these 2 rows until the heel flap measures approx 6.5 cm (2.5 inches) long, or 32 rows total. End on a WS row.

#### 4. Heel Turn
(This shapes the cup of the heel).
*   **Row 1 (RS):** Sl1, K17, ssk, k1, turn. [Validation: 32 - 17 - 2 - 1 = 12 sts unworked].
*   **Row 2 (WS):** Sl1, P5, p2tog, p1, turn. [Validation: center gap established].
*   **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. You should have **18 sts** remaining on the heel needle.

#### 5. Gusset
*   **Pickup Round:** Knit across the 18 heel sts. Pick up and knit **16 sts** along the side of the heel flap. Knit across the 32 Instep stitches (resuming **Mock Cable Rnd 1** pattern on these sts). Pick up and knit **16 sts** along the other side of the heel flap. Knit to center back of heel. Place BOR marker here.
*   *Stitch Count Check:* 18 (heel) + 16 (side) + 32 (instep) + 16 (side) = **82 sts**.

**Decrease Rounds:**
*   **Rnd 1:** Knit to last 3 sts of first side section, k2tog, k1. Work Mock Cable pattern across 32 instep sts. K1, ssk, knit to end. [2 sts decreased].
*   **Rnd 2:** Knit all sole/side sts. Work Mock Cable pattern across instep sts.

Repeat Rnds 1 & 2 until you return to **64 sts** total (32 sole, 32 instep).

#### 6. Foot
Continue working straight:
*   **Sole (32 sts):** Stockinette (Knit every round).
*   **Instep (32 sts):** Mock Cable pattern.

**Length Calculation for your 9.5" foot:**
You need to stop knitting the foot when the sock is approx **5 cm (2 inches)** shorter than your total foot length to allow room for the toe.
*   Target Length: 9.5 inches (24 cm).
*   Stop Point: **7.5 inches (19 cm)** from back of heel.

#### 7. Toe
Change to Stockinette stitch for all needles (discontinue Mock Cable pattern).

*   **Rnd 1:** \*Knit to last 3 sts of needle/section, k2tog, k1; rep from \* for next needle/section (or twice if using magic loop). [4 sts dec].
*   **Rnd 2:** Knit all sts.

Repeat Rnds 1 & 2 until **32 sts** remain.
Then, repeat **Rnd 1 only** (decrease every round) until **16 sts** remain (8 on top, 8 on bottom).

#### 8. Finishing
*   Cut yarn leaving a 25 cm (10 inch) tail.
*   Use the **Kitchener Stitch** to graft the remaining stitches together seamlessly.
*   Weave in all ends on the inside.
*   Block the socks (soak in water, squeeze gently, lay flat to dry) to open up the eyelet pattern.

Make a second sock to match!

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**Why This Cuff-Down Method is Best for You:**
1.  **Fit Check:** You can try the sock on as soon as you finish the heel turn to ensure the instep pattern isn't too tight.
2.  **Measurements:** Since you know your exact length (9.5"), the math above ensures the toe lands perfectly at the end of your toes without bunching.
3.  **Heel:** The slip-stitch heel flap provided here is reinforced, which is ideal for fingering weight yarn to prevent wear.