Whit's Knits: Fishnet Anklets

Vintage knitting patterns are filled with mesh stockings, lace "evening gloves" and form fitting sweater sets. As life as gotten more and more hectic, knitting needles have gotten bigger and bigger, and hand knits have gotten, well, bulkier and bulkier. Occasional lumpiness has its charm, but do we really want to be less sassy than our Victorian ancestors? Here is a pattern that will never be accused of frumpiness, but which takes into account our very busy lives: quick to make but not at an unflattering two stitches to the inch!

It seemed like a pair of Fishnet Anklets called for something beyond traditional sock wool, so I made these with Koigu's very special Mori yarn. Spun and dyed like the Koigu Premium Merino that we all love, the Mori is 50% merino and 50% mulberry silk. The shine and luxury of the silk are just what these socks needed!

The Materials

• 1 skein of Koigu's Mori, 50% Merino Wool and 50% Mulberry Silk. I made one pair with pink #M1155 and one pair with orange #M1240.

• A set of US #1 1/2 double pointed needles.

• A set of US #4 double pointed needles.

The Pattern

Gauge

6 1/2 stitches = 1 inch with the larger needles in stockinette stitch

Finished Size

Variable, to fit most women's feet.

Cuff

With a set of US #1 1/2 double pointed needles, cast on 72 stitches.

Round 1: *K1, p1, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat Round 1 eight more times.

Leg

Changing to US #4 double pointed needles,

Round 1: K1, *[k2tog] 8 times, k2, repeat from * two more times, [k2tog] 8 times, k1. (40 stitches)

Round 2: *Yo, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat Round 2 thirty three more times or until piece measures 3 3/4 inches from the cast on edge (do not stretch to measure).

The Heel Flap

Knit 10 stitches and turn the work so the purl side of the fabric is facing you.

Purl 20 stitches. (The 20 stitches that you just purled are the beginning of the heel flap. For this section, you will be working back and forth on just these 20 stitches.)

Arrange the stitches so that the 20 heel flap stitches are on one needle. Put the remaining stitches on hold on two needles (10 stitches each). 

(Again, work the following rows back and forth, turning the work between each row.)

Row 1 (right side): *Slip 1 purlwise, k1, repeat from * to end of 20 stitches.

Row 2 (wrong side): Slip 1 purlwise, purl to end of 20 stitches.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 nine more times.

Turning the Heel

Still just working the heel flap stitches:

Row 1 (right side): Slip 1 purlwise, K10, ssk, k1, turn the work so the wrong side is facing you and there are 13 stitches on the left needle and 6 stitches on the right needle. 

Row 2 (wrong side): Slip 1 purlwise, p3, p2tog, p1, turn the work.

Row 3: Slip 1 purlwise, knit to 1 stitch before the gap, ssk (with the stitch before the gap and the stitch after the gap), k1, turn.

Row 4: Slip 1 purlwise, purl to 1 stitch before the gap, p2tog, p1, turn.

Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until all the heel stitches have been worked and 12 stitches remain on the needle.

The Gusset

Knit across the 12 heel stitches.

With the same needle (now called "needle #1"), pick up 11 stitches along the heel flap. (23 stitches)

With a new needle (needle #2), [yo, k2tog] 10 times across the 20 stitches that have been on hold.

With a new needle (needle #3), pick up 11 stitches along the other side of the heel flap.

Still with needle #3, knit 6 stitches from needle #1. 

Now there are 17 stitches on needle #1, 20 stitches on needle #2, and 17 stitches on needle #3. Needle #1 is the beginning of the round (at the middle of the heel).

Round 1: Needle #1 - knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1. Needle #2 - [yo, k2tog] 10 times. Needle #3 - k1, ssk, knit to end.

Round 2: Needle #1 - knit. Needle #2 - [yo, k2tog] 10 times. Needle #3 - knit.

Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until 40 total stitches remain.

The Foot

Round 1: *Yo, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat Round 1 the number of times needed to make the size you want:

   US size 6 shoe = 27 rounds

   US size 7 shoe = 29 rounds

   US size 8 shoe = 31 rounds

   US size 9 shoe = 33 rounds

   US size 10 shoe = 35 rounds

The Toe

Round 1: *K8, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (36 stitches)

Round 2: Knit.

Round 3: *K7, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (32 stitches)

Round 4: Knit.

Round 5: *K6, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (28 stitches)

Round 6: Knit.

Round 7: *K5, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (24 stitches)

Round 8: Knit.

Round 9: *K4, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (20 stitches)

Round 10: Knit.

Round 11: *K3, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (16 stitches)

Round 12: *K2, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (12 stitches)

Round 13: *K1, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (8 stitches)

Cut the yarn and sew the tail through the remaining stitches. Weave in the ends.

Make another sock to join the first!

Comments

[Karen G.]

You're right I've gotten too used to the instant gratification of bulky knitting. These are so sweet, they are just the project I needed to break the bulky mold! Thanks for sharing this.

[sushi pie]

Thanks for sharing! I absolutely love that you made them in bright colors. They're so modern! ♥

[Jane]

Wow, these are so adorable! I've been a little shy about socks since my last pair got a hole in them after only 3 months. But I love to knit socks in the summer - the perfect travel companion. I also love to have socks on my feet in the summer but always look dorky! These are hip!

Is it ok if I post a link with a picture on my blog? Too cute not to share!

[Dorothy]

How cute! But size 1 1/2 needles???
Thanks!

[karen]

Are the 1.5 absolutely necessary? Would #2 work? Just wondering because you do not have any 1.5 available through Purl Soho.com Thank you for the pattern. I can't wait to make these for my daughter.

[Julia]

These are very cute! They also look quite cool for summer wear!

[purlbee]

Hi Karen -

Yes, you can use either #1 or #2 double pointed needles. Here's how to decide which...

If you do your gauge swatch with the US #4's and find that you have to use a different needle size, then you should also change the size of the smaller needle. For example, if you have to use a US #5 for the body of the sock, then use a #2 for the ribbing.

If you're sticking with the size 4's, then I would consider who's going to wear the socks. If she has thin ankles I would go for the 1's, and if you think she might need a little more room, the 2's.

Good luck and thank you for asking!

-Whitney

[tante sophie]

whit' ... where are the number one and a half needles to be found ... what mm size are you referring to ... i know i know ... picky picky ... but itty bitty skinny double pointed needles do that to me ... gumby says hi paw to bear!!!

[Dawn]

Whitney,
Can these socks be made using "majic loop" instead os double points? Thanks for the online coteast I live in Louisiana and the chances of me getting to your shop are slim so i love the pictures and the commentary Dawn

[Lilly Higgins]

Tehse are so cute, I particularly love the pink! Very gorgeous and lovely photos.

[craftyactress]

Cute! And the colors are awesome. Going on the needles now! Thanks so much for sharing.

[florida mama]

I love the pattern

[cc]

Just finished! I chose to go for the traditional black but would love to make a few more in the bright colors. Super easy and fast.

[sunshinedive]

I think this pattern was intended for childrens feet instead of womens.. I was SO disappointed when I finished making the first one, since not only did I buy the suggested yarn in this fabulous pink color, but it was also my first forray into sock making. The finished product that I made did not fit my average size nine foot.
All in all I spent approximatly $50 dollars at Purl Soho for handmade socks that fit my 10 yeard niece instead of me.
Did anyone else have this problem?!
And yes, I made the gauge swatch, I hate doing it like every other knitter out there, but I do it to avoid these kinds of problems!
VERY disappointing!!

[purl bee]

Hi Sunshine Dive,
We are so sorry to hear that your sock doesn't fit you. If you are near the city can you come in with your socks so we can help you figure out what went wrong? The socks being worn on the models above are on size 9 and size 8 feet so they shouldn't be small for you. We'd really like to help you out .
The Purl Bee

[Andreia]

Beautiful & bright socks!

[Renna]

These look like such a fun summertime sock to wear. I read through the pattern and was really pleased with how explicit your instructions are. This would be simple enough for a beginning sock knitter. I wish I'd found a pattern as detailed when I first learned to knit socks!

[Elva]

LEG: Round 1: K1, *[k2tog] 8 times, k2, repeat from * two more times, [k2tog] 8 times, k1. (40 stitches)
Round 2: *Yo, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. Are these the same 40 stitches from round 1? And if I do a Yo and k2tog won't I have less stitches? Please help... and thank you.

Elva

[purlbee]

Hi Elva,

It sounds like you're doing too many steps when you yarn over. In this case, a yarn over is actually just bringing your yarn forward into the purl position. It does not include any knitting. So to yo, k2tog, you bring the yarn forward and then knit 2 stitches together, creating 1 stitch with the yo and eliminating 1 stitch with the k2tog.

Please let us know if this doesn't clear up the confusion and thanks for your question!

Whitney

[Abi]

Would it be okay if I were to substitute (for the yarn used) a yarn of 75% acrylic and 25% wool, would these socks come out the same?

[purl bee]

Hi Abi-

As long as you are getting the same gauge the pattern should work fine. They will have a different look and feel but they will fit the same.

Thank you so much for your question!

Molly