Diabetic Friendly Free Sock Pattern updated 3/13

This is a diabetic friendly pattern for Stand-Up Knee-Hi socks. It features a special no-turn heel! The heel design allows for a smoother heel and less rubbing. the leg of the sock is designed to stay up, yet is very stretchy to allow for edema (swelling) in the calf area.
The keys to the comfort of this sock are according to my husband- the recipient:
1) the soft yarn choice- I used a new yarn I have not tried before by Universal Yarn Co. Called “Pace’- on the skein it says ‘Knit, relax, smile, repeat” as its slogan. It is a superfine yarn comprised of 75% Superwash wool and 25% Polymide. It is machine washable, 220 yards per 50gm skein, at a gauge of 6.75-8 sts. per inch, on size 1-3 needles. I used #1 needles for a tighter, smoother weave.
2) the different patterns sections in the leg of the sock make it stay in place without being too tight
3) the no-turn heel is smoother than traditional turned heel

STAND-UP KNEE-HI SOCKS WITH “NO-TURN” HEEL pattern:

(Especially nice for people with sensitive feet; less bulk and rubbing at the heel)

Materials:
Superfine/fingering weight yarn
Size 1 (U.S.) dpns or circular needles

Cast on 72 stitches for Men’s sizes M/L (approx. shoe sizes 10-13)
Cast on 66 stitches for Women’s sizes M/L (approx. shoe sizes 8-10)

The cuff/leg of the knee-hi is worked in sections.

Section 1:
Rounds 1-2 P around
Rounds 3-5 * K5, p1 * around

Section 2:
Beginning with next round,
Work in Pyramid pattern for approx. 3-4 inches, ending with a row 4.

PYRAMID PATTERN:

Round 1: P across
Round 2: K1, P5, across to last st. K1
Round 3: K2, P3, * K3, P3 * across to last 2 sts. K2
Round 4: K3, P1, * K5, P1 * across to last 3 sts. K3

Section 3: * K3, P3 * around
repeat this row for 3-4 inches.

Section 4:
Knit all rounds for 4-5 inches.

Divide for heel:
Divide from 3 needles to 2. End having just worked across needle 2 (instep) then slip stitches from needles 1 & 3 together onto needle 1 (this is the heel needle)
Now there are the same # of stitches on two needles.

With right side facing, work heel stitches only:

Row 1: slip1 PW, K1, repeat across row
Row 2: slip 1 PW, purl across

Repeat rows 1&2 until heel measures 3-3.5” ending having worked a knit row.
Don’t worry about turning the heel. The heel flap is longer than in standard sock patterns and allows for enough ease to move on directly to the gusset. Trust me it works and forms a very smooth and comfortable heel according to my dear husband!


Heel gusset:
Back to 3 needles, with right side facing and using heel needle (this will be needle 1) pick up and knit (approx. 14) stitches along left edge of heel flap (side w/yarn attached)
Then use an empty needle to knit across needle 2.
With another empty needle, (this will be needle 3) pick up and knit (approx. 14) stitches down right side of heel flap, then knit (approx. 10) stitches from needle 1 onto this same needle.


Gusset decreases:
On next round, starting with needle 1, begin heel gusset decreases as follows: (decreases are on needles 1&3 only)

Round 1: needle 1- K across to last 3 sts, k2 tog, K1 needle 2- knit across all stitches
needle 3- K1, K2tog TBL, K to end

Round 2: Knit across all needles

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until the same number of stitches remain on the needles as you originally cast on-66(72). Then begin foot.

Foot:
knit plain rounds to desired length (approx. 2 inches short of total foot length desired to allow for toe rounds.)

Toe:
Round 1:
Needle 1-k across to last 3 sts, k2tog, K1
Needle 2-k1, K2tog then knit to last 3 sts, K2 tog TBL
Needle 3-K1, K2 tog TBL, knit to end

Round 2:
Knit across each needle. Repeat.

Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until about 20sts remain on needles. Divide sts. evenly on 2 needles and use kitchener stitch to bind off.




Diabetics and folks with sensitive feet may like this pattern!

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

STAND-UP KNEE-HI WITH NO-TURN HEEL P.S. Of course knitters may use a standard heel if they choose and don't bother with the tally sheets if they are confusing. I just use them as a way to keep track of my rows and decreases. Thanks and feel free to email or message me on Ravelry if there are any other questions! :)