I love the effects of hand painted yarn and wanted a design which would show off the colours - Lichen is the result. The decorative border requires a bit of concentration but the rest is easy: you can replace the border with an inch of rib if you prefer. Ideal to knit with Silkwood 4 ply or Silkwood sock yarn.

I’ve given 2 options for the border – knitting on 2 needles or 4 dpns. 2 needles is easier – simply join the gap with a couple of mattress stitches when you weave in the cast on end. Fits women’s medium foot. Tension 8sts to 2.5cm (inch).

Materials: 100g sock wool (original uses Silkwood). Set of 4 x 2.5mm dpns, optional 2.5mm (or 2.75mm) straight needles.

Shell border – straight needles.
Cast on 62st. 1st row: k1, yo *(k5, sl first 4 of these over the last one, yo)* repeat from * to last st, k1 (27st).
2nd row: p1 *(p1, yo, k1tbl, p1) in next st, p1* to end (66st).
3rd row: k3, k1tbl, *(k4, k1tbl)* repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2.
4th row: k to end.
5th row: change to dpns, k to last 2sts, k2tog (65sts).
6th row: p to end. This completes the border.


Shell border – dpns Cast on 62 sts arranging them as follows: 21/20/21 sts. Join work ensuring the right side is facing - stitches should look like a row of garter stitch, not stretched. Work 1st row as above, taking care not to lose yos at the end of needles.
2nd row: k1, (k1,yo,p1tbl,k1 in next st, k1)* to end. (Note that each yo becomes 4sts – make sure yos at the end of needles don’t get lost). (66st).
3rd and 5th row: as above.
4th and 6th row: p to end.

Cuff pattern
1st row: k to end. 2nd row: k4, p1 to end. Repeat these 2 rows till cuff measures 14cm (5.5in), ending with 2nd row.

Heel flap
K16 and turn: slip 16sts from the end of this row to this same needle: slip 1st st and purl back so you’re ready to begin heel flap. Leave remaining 33st on two needles for instep and work heel flap on 2 needles. 1st row of heel flap: sl1, k1 to end. 2nd row (wrong side): sl first st, p to end. Continue with these 2 rows till heel flap measures 6.5cm (2.5in)

Turn heel
1st row (rt side facing): sl 1, k17, SSK, k1, turn. 2nd row: sl 1, p5, p2tog, p1, turn. 3rd row: sl 1, k6, ssk k1, turn. 4th row: sl 1, p7, p2tog, p1, turn. 5th row: sl 1, k8, ssk, k1, turn. Continue as set, working one more st on each row before decreasing and turning, until all sts have been worked. End with p row

Gusset With right side facing, sl 1 and k across heel stitches. Pick up and knit 20sts from the side of the gusset, including 1 from the gap just before the instep stitches. Pick up one extra st at beginning of needle 2 from loop before 1st st, so that instep pattern is the same on both sides. Keeping cuff pattern correct work across instep sts, knitting them all onto the same needle. Using the 3rd needle pick up and k 20st along remaining gusset including one from gap, then knit 9 sts from heel flap onto same needle. Stitches should now be arranged as follows: 29/34/29 (92st).

Reduce for gusset.
1st row: Needle 1: k to last 3st, k2tog, k1. Needle 2: pattern across. Needle 3: k1, ssk, k to end. 2nd row: k to end. Repeat these 2 rows until 64sts remain. Continue straight until foot measures 5cm (2in) less than required length.

Decrease for toe.
Rearrange sts from needle 2, adding 1 from each end to needles 1 and 3, so that the number on needles 1 and 3 equals that on needle 2. Continue in st st. Needle 1: k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. Needle 2: k1, ssk to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. Needle 3: k1, ssk, k to end. Next row: k to end. Repeat these 2 rows until 20st remain, ending with k row and knitting the stitches from needle 3 onto the end of needle 1. Graft (kitchener st) toe sts together. Weave in ends and wear with pride!

copyright: Vanessa Davis, 2006. This pattern is made available for the benefit of customers of cnyttanpatterns.co.uk and should not be reproduced in any printed or electronic form without permission