Lace socks Novita 7 Veljestä

Using the off-white yarn, cast on 42(42)48(48) sts and distribute them onto four double-pointed needles. The beginning of the round is between needles I and IV. Purl 1 round.

Using the Freesia or Aubergine yarn, knit a stripe of flowers following the instructions.

Using the off-white, knit 1 round and decrease 2 sts (sizes 30 and 32) or increase 2 sts (sizes 36 and 38) = 40(40)50(50) sts.

Begin the lace pattern from row 1 of chart I. Work the 5 st pattern repeat 8(8)10(10) times. Repeat rows 1-4 a total of 5(5)9(9) times. After the last cable turn, knit the yarn overs through the back loop. Using the off-white, knit 2 more rounds and increase 2 sts (sizes 30 and 32) or decrease 2 sts (sizes 36 and 38) = 42(42)48(48) sts.

Knit another stripe of flowers as before using the Aubergine or Freesia yarn.

Using the off-white yarn, knit 1 round. Sizes 30 and 32: evenly decrease 2 sts. 40(40)48(48) sts on the needles. Redistribute the sts evenly, 10(10)12(12) sts per needle.

Begin the heel flap: move the sts on needle I onto needle IV = 20(20)24(24) sts. Begin the lace pattern on the heel flap on row 1 of chart I. Working flat, knit the heel flap: k1(1)3(3), work the 5 st pattern repeat 3 times, work the first 3 sts of the pattern repeat again (the lace cable), k1(1)3(3). Work rows 1-4 a total of 5(5)6(6) times, then work rows 5-6 = 22(22)26(26) rows.

Begin the French heel:

Row 1: k12(12)14(14) (half the heel flap sts + 2 sts), knit the next 2 sts together through the back loop, k1. Turn work.

Row 2: slip 1 st, p5, p2tog, p1. Turn work.

Row 3: slip 1 st, k6, k2tog tbl, k1. Turn work.

Row 4: slip 1 st, p7, p2tog, p1. Turn work.

Continue in this manner until the decreases reach the edges on both sides of the work. Distribute the remaining sts onto two needles, 6(6)7(7) sts each.

Using a free needle, pick up 11(11)13(13) 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 left-hand sole needle.

Begin the lace pattern on needles II and III: k1 at the beginning of needle II, work 5 st pattern repeat from chart II, k4(4)6(6). K4(4)6(6) at the beginning of needle III, work the 5 st pattern repeat from chart II, k1.

Using the right-hand sole needle, pick up 11(11)13(13) 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 heel flap sts. Continue working stockinette st on needles I and IV and stockinette st and the lace pattern on the instep. Keep repeating rows 1-4 of the chart.

Continue working these 56(56)66(66) sts and work the gusset decreases: k2tog at the end of needle I, work the skp decrease at the beginning of needle IV (= slip 1, knit 1, pass the slipped st over). Repeat the decreases on every 2nd round until 10(10)12(12) sts remain on each needle.

Continue as established until the sole measures 15(17)18(19) cm or until the sock covers your fifth toe.

Then begin the toe decreases, continuing the lace pattern as established.

At the end of needle I, k2tog, k1. Work 6 sts from the beginning of needle II, skp, knit to end of needle. Knit the sts on needle III until 8 sts remain, k2tog, follow the lace pattern to end of needle. At the beginning of needle IV, k1, skp. Repeat the decreases on every 2nd round 2(2)4(4) more times.

Continue decreasing as established on needles I and IV. Work the skp decrease at the beginning of needle II and k2tog at the end of needle III. Keep working the lace pattern as long as possible. Work the decreases as before on every 2nd round until 5(5)6(6) sts remain on each needle. Then work the decreases on every round. When 8 sts remain, break the yarn, pass it through the sts and pull tightly. Securely weave in.

Knit the other sock to match.

Finishing

Steam the finished socks.

Pass the satin ribbons through the flower stripes and tie them into bows in the front.