Panther socks Novita Venla

Using Charcoal cast on 64 sts and divide them over four needles, 16 sts each. The beginning of round is between needles I and IV. Work ribbing in the round for 2,5 cm.

Begin the colourwork pattern on row 1 of the chart. Work the 64 st pattern. Note: Work the Sandy Beach boxes in the chart using Tomato. Use Sandy Beach to embroider duplicate sts on the finished piece. Work rows 2-60 of the chart, then keep repeating rows 1-60. Make sure to loosen the floats as you work to avoid a too tight fabric.

When the leg measures approx. 15 cm begin the hourglass heel on needles III and IV.

Follow the chart to end of needle II. Make a note of the row you finished on, as you'll resume from there after the heel. Break off Tomato. Using Charcoal, knit all sts on needles III and IV until 1 st remains on needle IV. Begin short rows: turn work and yo. Slip 1 purlwise, purl all sts until 1 st remains on needle III, turn work and yo. *RS: knit all sts until 1 st remains before next yo, turn work and yo. WS: purl all sts until 1 st remains before next yo, turn work and yo.* Repeat *-* until 12 sts remain between the yarn overs and you have last worked the WS row.

Begin long rows: RS: work to next yo, knit together the yo and the st next to it, turn work and yo (there are now two yarn overs next to each other). WS: work to next yo, purl together the yo and the st next to it using ssp [= slip the yo and next st knitwise one at a time from the left needle to the right needle (insert the needle from left to right), then return them to the left needle keeping them twisted. Purl the sts together through the back loop.], turn work and yo (two yarn overs next to each other).

RS: work to next yo, knit together both yos and the st next to them, turn work and yo (two yarn overs next to each other). WS: work to next yo, purl together both yos and the st next to them using sssp (= work like ssp, slip all three sts and purl them together through the back loop), turn work and yo (two yarn overs next to each other).* Repeat *-* until 1 st and 2 yarn overs remain on both sides of the heel.

RS: work to next yo, knit together both yos and the st next to them. Join Tomato and resume the colourwork pattern on needles I and II. Note: To avoid a gap, you can pick up an extra st from between needles IV and I and knit it together with the first st on needle I. Also pick up a st from between needles II and III and knit it together with the last st on needle II. On needle III, knit the first st together with the two yarn overs following the chart. Follow the chart on needles III and IV.

Now follow the chart with all sts until the foot measures approx. 20 cm or the sock covers your fifth toe. Break off Tomato. Work stockinette st using Charcoal for the rest of the piece.

Knit 1 round and then begin toe decreases: at the beginning of needles I and III, k1, k2tog; at the end of needles II and IV, skp, k1. Decrease as established on every 2nd round 9 more times until 6 sts remain on each needle. Redistribute the sts onto two needles, 12 sts each on instep and sole. Graft the sts together.

Knit the other sock in the same manner. If you want to avoid a symmetrical pair of socks, work the heel on needles I and II.

Finishing

If you want, use Sandy Beach to embroider duplicate stitches following the chart. Securely weave in.

Lightly steam the socks.