The name speaks for itself. These mimic the iconic red and white track limits found on the edge of famous racetracks. The colours were originally part of a Marlboro sponsorship but it soon became synonymous with F1.
This is a two-in-one pattern as each sock is different. The sample is knit with two colours of recycled DK weight yarn. Though you can adapt this to as many colours as you like.
Gauge: 21-23 sts in 4 inches in Chart 1 when blocked. The variation in gauge will determine the circumference of the sock. If you have narrow feet, aim for 23 sts. If you have larger feet, aim for 21sts. You may struggle to get gauge if your floats are too tight - this will also make it hard to fit the sock over your ankle so it's very important to make sure the swatch has enough stretch.
You will need:
Approx 60g of DK yarn (35g MC, 25g CC)
3.25mm DPNs / short circulars (or magic loop)
Tapestry needle
Techniques:
Colourwork - This is done by carrying floats (Fair Isle). Make sure the floats are not too tight. It will warp the design and make the sock difficult to put on.
Trapping floats - You may find it useful to twist your floats when carrying a colour over more than four stitches. This stops the floats from getting in the way when putting on the sock and stops the design getting warped if a long float catches on something. I recommend checking out Ladder Back Jacquard though it is not necessary.
Reading charts - Info on the charts can be found at the bottom of the pattern.
Abbreviations:
MC - main colour (in the sample it's white)
CC - contrast colour (in the sample it's red)
R - round/row
st(s) - stitch(es)
k - knit
p - purl
s - slip purlwise
ssk - slip slip knit
k2tog - knit 2 together
p2tog - purl 2 together
pm - place stitch marker
sm - slip stitch marker
*Pattern starts here*
Sock 1: (Left image)
In MC cast on 56 sts, join in the round, and work 10 rounds of 1x1 rib.
Knit one round.
R1: k2, Chart 1 x3, k4, Chart 1 x3, k2.
(You may find it useful to place markers between the charts and the k4.)
Repeat R1 following the chart for a total of 16 rows. Break CC yarn.
Heel: (in MC)
R1: [sl1, k1] 14 times (28 sts)
R2: [sl, p1] 14 times (28 sts)
Repeat R1&R2 14 more times
Turn: (in MC)
R1: s1, k14, ssk, k1, turn
R2: s1, p3, p2tog, p1, turn
R3: s1, k to one sts before gap in sts, ssk, k1, turn
R4: s1, p to one sts before gap in sts, p2tog, p1, turn
Repeat R3 & R4 until 16 sts remain (Ending on wrong side row)
Knit across 8 sts. Place stm. This marks the start of the round.
Gusset: (in pattern)
In pattern, k8 starting from column 5 of Chart 1 (1st red stitch). This is extremely important otherwise the charts won't line up!
Pick up 16 sts up the side of the heel flap (this is the first row of Chart 2).
Knit across the top of the foot, following Chart 1.
Pick up 16 sts down the side of the heel flap (this is the first row of Chart 3).
Knit the final 8 sts of the round following Chart 1, starting with column 4 (1st red stitch).
Continue to work foot following charts.
Once Charts 2 & 3 are complete, this is the end of the decreases. Keep working in pattern for 19 rows or until 1 1/2 inches before desired length.
Toe: (in MC)
R1: k14, pm, k28, pm, k14 (56 sts)
R2: [knit to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, k1, sm, k1, ssk] repeat twice, knit to end (4 sts decrease)
R3: knit all stitches
Repeat R2 & R3 until 40 stitches remain.
Repeat R2 until 20 stitches remain.
Knit 5 stitches then Kitchener the sock closed. Weave in ends.
Sock 2: (Right Image)
In MC cast on 56 sts, join in the round, and work 10 rounds of 1x1 rib.
Knit one round.
R1-8: Chart 1 x7
R9-12: knit all stitches in MC
R13-16: Chart 1 x7 (this is only the first 4 rows of Chart 1)
Break CC yarn.
Heel: (in MC)
R1: [sl1, k1] 14 times (28 sts)
R2: [sl, p1] 14 times (28 sts)
Repeat R1&R2 14 more times
Turn: (in MC)
R1: s1, k14, ssk, k1, turn
R2: s1, p3, p2tog, p1, turn
R3: s1, k to one sts before gap in sts, ssk, k1, turn
R4: s1, p to one sts before gap in sts, p2tog, p1, turn
Repeat R3 & R4 until 16 sts remain. (Ending on wrong side row)
Knit across the 8 sts. Place stm. This marks the start of the round.
Gusset: (in pattern)
First 8 sts: Begin Chart 4
Pick up 16 sts up the side of the heel flap in pattern. This is the rest of the first row of Chart 4.
Knit across the top of the foot in Chart 1 (3.5 repeats)
Pick up 16 sts down the side of the heel flap. This is the first row of Chart 5.
Final 8 sts: Continue Chart 5
Continue to work the foot following these charts.
Once Charts 4 & 5 are complete, this is the end of the decreases. Keep working in pattern for 16 rows or until 1 1/2 inches before desired length.
Toe: (in MC)
R1: k15, pm, k30, pm, k15 (60sts)
R2: [knit to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, k1, sm, k1, ssk] repeat twice, knit to end (4 sts decrease)
R3: knit all stitches
Repeat R2 & R3 until 40 stitches remain.
Repeat R2 until 20 stitches remain.
Knit 5 stitches then Kitchener the sock closed. Weave in ends.
Charts:
Knit CC
Chart 1:
Chart 2:
Chart 3:
