Bare Bones Sock Pattern: Striped Kelp

This pattern uses three mini skeins. The lace pattern looks a bit like a forest of giant kelp.

The pattern is written for you to use with your favorite sock components, and is just a guide. I have not included instructions for working heels and toes, so prior sock knitting knowledge is required. In the sample, I used a heel flap and gusset, but the design will work great with any heel.

The lace pattern includes k3tog, which can be difficult to work, but, I think it is worth it. You can substitute any pattern for the panel, if you’d prefer to avoid it. Grab a pattern with a 4 or 8 stitch repeat from a stitch dictionary or plop in a favorite texture from a previous sock you’ve made.

I used red for color A, white for B, and gray for C.

Cast on 64 stitches (or a multiple of 8)
Cuff: using color A, work k1, p1 rib for 14 rounds. Cut A.

Attach color B
Set up round 1: knit
Set up round 2: K7, p1 (work 8 times around)

Lace panel – (work 8 times around). 
Round 1: k3tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso, p1
Rd2: k1, yo, k3, yo, k1, p1
Rd 3: k7, p1
Rd 4: k7, p1
Repeat rounds 1-4 a total of five times

Keeping B attached, add color C
Using C, knit 4 rounds
Using B, knit 4 rounds
repeat a total of 3 times 

Cut yarn B.

Using yarn C, knit 18 rounds.

Work your favorite heel. I used a heel flap and gusset over 30 stitches.

Continue knitting with only color C on the foot. I knit 18 rounds after picking up the heel flap before I started the stripes on the foot. (this, conveniently, took me to the end of my gusset decreases)

Foot Stripes:
Attach B
Using B, knit 2 rounds
Using C, knit 2 rounds
repeat a total of 4 times

Stripe transition: Attach A (do not cut B or C)
Using B, knit 2 rounds
Using A, knit 2 rounds
Using B, knit 2 rounds
Using C, knit 2 rounds

Cut C

Using B, knit 2 rounds
Using A, knit 2 rounds
repeat a total of 4 times

Cut B

Using A, knit until you are ready to decrease for your toe. Work the toe in A. 

Enjoy!