Knee-High Lace Stockings Novita Nalle

Using larger needles cast on 64 s and distribute the sts onto four needles: 15, 17, 17, and 15 sts, respectively. Join to work in the round. The beginning of the round will be between needle IV and needle I.

Start following Chart I at row 1 in the following way: P6, work the 52 st lace pattern repeat once, p6. Work repeating rows 1-24 of Chart I and always working first 6 sts and last 6 sts in reverse stocking stitch.

When the leg measures 15 cm, start decreasing in the following way:

Next round: P2tog, work in pattern until 2 sts remain, p2tog = 62 s.

Repeat these decreases every 4 rows for 5 times more = 52 sts.

When the leg measures about 22 cm, switch to smaller needles.

When the leg measures about 33 cm and you have just worked row 12 of chart I, distribute the sts onto four needles in the following way: needle I: 11 sts; needle II: 15 sts; needle III; 15 sts; and needle IV: 11 sts.

Next, start working the heel flap: Knit the sts on needle I onto needle IV (= 22 sts). Leave the rest of the sts on hold for a while. Turn work and start following Chart II at row 1 (note that this is a WS row). Then, working back and forth work rows 2-17.

Next, start decreasing for heel turn:

Next alternate decrease row (RS): P2, k5, skp, k4, k2tog. Turn work.

Next alternate decrease row (WS): Sl1, p4, p2tog. Turn work.

Next alternate decrease row (RS): Sl1, k4, skp. Turn work.

Next alternate decrease row (WS): Sl1, p4, p2tog. Turn work.

Next alternate decrease row (RS): Sl1, k4, skp. Turn work.

Keep working these decreases on each side of the 6 centre sts until you have only the 6 centre sts left. Then, distribute the heel flap sts onto two needles, 3 sts on each.

Next, with the aid of needle 5 pick up 12 sts along the left edge of the heel flap + 1 st between the needles. Slip last 2 picked-up sts onto needle II (= 17 sts on needle II) and knit 11 sts onto needle I (14 sts on needle I). Work sts on needles II and III by following row 1 of Chart III and working 32 sts in lace pattern. Next, pick up 1 st between needles + 12 sts along the right edge of the heel flap and knit first 2 picked-up sts onto needle III (= 17 sts on needle III). Knit 11 sts onto needle IV (= 14 sts on needle IV).

Join to work in the round and work in the following way: Needle I: work in st st; needles II - III: work rows 2 - 24 of Chart III (34 st pattern repeat); needle IV: work in st st. At the same time decrease for the gusset:

Round 1: Work to last 2 sts on needle I, k2tog, work to needle IV, skp, work to end.

Round 2: Work in pattern to end.

Round 3: Work to last 2 sts on needle I, k2tog, work to needle IV, skp, work to end.

Rounds 4-5: Work in pattern to end.

Round 6: Work to last 2 sts on needle I, k2tog, work to needle IV, skp, work to end.

Rounds 7-9: Work in pattern to end.

Round 10: Work to last 2 sts on needle I, k2tog, work to needle IV, skp, work to end.

You have now 10 sts on needles I and IV and 17 sts on needs II and III (= 54 sts).

Keep working in lace stitch pattern on needles II & III and in st st on needles I & IV until the sole measures about 19 cm or the little toe is covered and you have just finished row 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, or 24 of Chart III.

Start decreasing for the toe working in the following way: Needle I: K to end; needles II & III: follow Chart IV at row 1; needle IV: k to end.

Keeping the overall pattern correct work rows 2-7 of Chart IV. You have now 10 sts on each needle and 40 sts in total.

Next, start working in st st on all needles and decreasing in the following way:

Decrease round: Needle I: K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1; needle II: k1, skp, k to end; needle III: k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1; needle IV: k1, skp, k to end.

Repeat this decrease round until you have 8 sts left.

Cut yarn, thread through the stitches and pull tight. Weave in ends.

Make another sock to match.

Finishing

Steam block gently.