Casting on

Cast on 52(64)68 sts and distribute them onto four double-pointed needles, 13(16)17 each. The beginning of the round is between needles I and IV. Then work ribbing in the round for 10(13)15 cm.

Heel flap

Begin the heel flap: work the sts on needle I onto needle IV as they appear = 20(22)24(26)28 sts. Leave the other sts on hold. Turn work and begin the reinforced st pattern:

Row 1: (WS) slip 1 (yarn in back), purl to end of row. Turn work.

Row 2: (RS) *slip 1 (yarn in back), k1*, repeat *-* to end of row. Turn work. Repeat rows 1-2 a total of 13(16)17 times = 26(32)34 rows.

Turning the heel

Work the WS row once more. Turning the heel: keep working the reinforced st pattern as before. On the heel flap, work the RS row until 9(11)12 sts remain. Work the skp decrease (=slip 1 knitwise, knit 1 and pass the slipped st over) and turn work. Slip 1, p8(10)10, p2tog. Turn work. Slip 1, keep working until 8(10)11 sts remain, skp. Continue in the same manner, decreasing sts on the sides while the middle group remains at 10(12)12 sts. When only the centre sts remain, distribute the heel flap sts onto two needles, 5(6)6 sts each.

Then using a free needle pick up 13(16)17 sts from the left edge of the heel flap + 1 st from between the heel flap and needle II. Knit the picked-up sts through the back loop using the left sole needle. Knit the sts on needles II and III. Using the needle with 5(6)6 sts, pick up 13(16)17 sts from the right edge of the heel flap + 1 st from between needle III and the heel flap. Knit the picked-up sts through the back loop, and knit the 4(6)6 heel flap sts.

Gusset decreases

Work these 64(78)82 sts in stockinette st and work the gusset decreases: at the end of needle I, k2tog, and at the beginning of needle IV, skp. Work 1 round without decreases, work the decrease round as before, 2 rounds without decreases, decrease round, 3 rounds, etc. Continue decreasing until 10(11)12(13)14 sts remain on all needles.

Continue working stockinette st until the foot measures 14,5(19)21 cm or the sock covers your fifth toe.

Then begin the toe decreases.

Toe decreases

Wedge toe: At the end of needles I and III: k2tog, k1, and at the beginning of needles II and IV, k1, skp. Repeat the decreases as before on every other round until 5(7)7 sts remain on each needle. Then work the decreases on every round.

When 8 sts remain, break the yarn, pull it through the sts and securely weave in the ends.

Star toe: At the midpoint and end of each needle, k2tog =44(56)60 sts. Work 3-4-5 rounds without decreases, then repeat the decreases = 36(48)52 sts. Work 2-3-4 rounds without decreases, then repeat the decreases = 28(40)44 sts. After each decrease round, work 1 less round without decreases.

When 8 sts remain, break the yarn, pull it through the sts, and securely weave in the ends.