4 ply socks

Materials : You will need one skein of 4 ply or fingering yarn and 4 double ended 2.25mm pins (or size to obtain correct tension)

Tension : 36 sts and 44 rows to 10cm in stocking stitch

Cast on 64 sts and spread between 3 pins. Join taking care not to twist sts and work 10 rows in k1, p1 rib.

Change to stocking stitch and work until sock measures 7.5cm from start of work.

Rearrange sts so there are 16 sts on first two pins and 32 sts on third pin, ensuring yarn is at end of third pin.

Heel : Row 1 (WS) sl 1 purlwise, p to end. Row 2 *with yarn in back sl 1 purl wise, k1* repeat to end Repeat these two rows 14 times more. Turn heel : Next row (WS) sl 1, p 18, p2tog, p1 turn Next row : s1, k7, ssk, k1, turn Next row : s1, p8, p2tog, p1, turn Next row : s1, k9, ssk, k1 turn Next row : sl, p10, p2tog, p1, turn Continue in this way increasing number of stitches before each decrease until 20 sts remain (last row will be knitted).

Gusset and foot: With same pin, pick up and knit 16 sts from the side edge of heel, with 2nd pin work across 32 sts, with 3rd pin pick up and knit 16 sts from side edge of heel and 10 sts from the first pin. Place marker for start of round (middle of sole). You should have 26 sts on pins 1 and 3 and 32 sts on pin 2. Knit one round. Shape gusset: Round 1: k to 3 sts from end of 1st pin, k2tog, k1, k all sts on pin 2, on pin 3 k1, ssk, k to end. Round 2 : k. Repeat these two rounds until 64 sts remain.

Foot : Continue to k all rounds until foot is 4.5cm less than desired final length. Shape toe : Round 1: On pin 1 k to last 3 sts, k 2 tog, k1, on pin 2 k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1, on pin 3 k 1 ssk, k to end. Round 2: k. Continue these two rounds until 16 sts remain. K 4 sts on pin 1 onto pin 3. Weave the toe sts together using kitcheners st,