Semaphore Socks

Summer camp is a fun rite of passage while growing up.  It has all the excitement of being away from home, making new friends, and having lots of new adventures.  Most camps teach interesting new skills to take home and remember for a lifetime…one of them could be learning to communicate via an old secret code: flag symbols, or semaphore!

An entire alphabet and numbers could be signaled depending on the positioning of these special flags.  Although the code is not so much used these days, these sporty socks recall to mind the thrill of learning new adventures, along with all the excitement of summer.   

LOOM:  Sock Loom EFG (shown at 64 pegs).

YARN:  Approx 300 yds of washable sock weight.  Lion Brand Sock-Ease Yarn in Marshmallow was used in sample for the MC, Patons Kroy Socks Yarn in Purple Haze was used for the CC. Both are 75% washable wool and 25% nylon.

NOTIONS:  Knitting tool, tapestry needle, 2 double pointed needles in size 1 or 2 (used to Kitchener the toe), row counter, measuring tape.

GAUGE: 15 sts x 22 rows= 2” in stockinette.

SIZE:  Shown in size 6-7 women. To create a larger, but still narrower size, simply work the foot section to 1.5 inches of desired length, then follow the toe instructions.  To create a larger and wider size (size 8-9 women), follow the instructions for using 72 pegs in parenthesis, along with making the foot section the desired length as described previously.  Of course, gauge will always be a consideration for a proper fit.

ABBREVIATIONS

MC: main color

CC: contrast color

CO: cast on

WY: working yarn

k: knit

KO: knit off

sts: stitches

rnd(s): round(s)

w&t: wrap and turn (remove loop from the peg and hold it. With working yarn, wrap the peg from the inside of the loom to the outside. You will then knit in the opposite direction.)

BO: bind off

Pattern Notes:

The sample was worked in a freeform colorway style to enhance the feel of the freedom of summertime.

To make the socks match as closely as possible, work one sock normally and then when beginning the second sock, locate the spot on the yarn that resembles the same colorway as where the first sock was started and begin at this point.

All knits were worked as the true knit stitch or U-stitch, not ewrap.

The colorwork sections of this pattern are worked by using the stranded method.  Simply carry the yarn not being used behind the pegs.  When picking up the next color to be used, bring it up and over the previous yarn.  If the yarn not being used will be trailed across more than 3 pegs, make sure to twist it up and over the yarn being used so that the strand will be prevented from trailing too long, thus having the tendency to catch on toes.

*Tip: keep your two yarns being used at an even tension, being careful not to pull too tightly.

Colorwork Chart for 64 Pegs:

Colorwork Chart for 72 Pegs:

INSTRUCTIONS 

Set knitting loom to 64 (72) pegs.  Using CC, CO in a clockwise direction to work in the round.

Cuff

Rnds 1-10: k.

Rnds 11-18(26): Using MC, k.

Continue to heel. (If you prefer a longer sock, repeat Rnds 11-18(26), until sock leg measures desired length, typically around 7-8 inches from cast on edge.)

Heel

The heel is worked using CC yarn and the short-row method over the first 33(36) stitches (takes place from peg 1 to peg 33(36).

The instructions for creating the short-row heel can be found at the end of pattern for both 64 and 72 peg versions.

If familiar with a short-row heel, simply follow the Heel and Toe Part I, decrease until there are 11(12) pegs unwrapped. Then follow Heel and Toe Part 2, increase back to a full 33(36) pegs.

Foot

Rnd 19(27): Skip peg 1 as it was just wrapped on the last short-row. Using MC yarn, k63(71).  (KO 3 over 1 on peg 33(36).

Rnds 20-28(28-36): k.  (KO 3 over 1 on peg 1 for first rnd.)

Rnds 29-36(37-44): Using both MC and CC, follow 8 rows of Colorwork Chart for the number of pegs being used.

Rnds 37-48(45-66): Using only MC, k. (Add additional rounds here if there will be additional length needed at the foot.)

Rnds 49-56(67-74): Using both MC and CC, follow 8 rows of Colorwork Chart for the number of pegs being used.

Rnds 57-66(75-84): Using only MC, k.

Toe

Repeat the same steps that you used to turn the heel, making sure to use the same pegs and side of the loom as before.

Remove the live stitches from pegs 1-32(36) and place them on one of the double pointed needles. Remove remaining 32(36) stitches (pegs 33-64(37-72) and place them on second double pointed needle.

Close the toe with the Kitchener stitch (see tutorial included in this post for instructions).

Weave in all ends. Block lightly.

Short-row heel (and toe) Instructions For 64 Pegs:

• Knit from peg 1 to peg 32, w&t peg 33.
• Knit from peg 32 to peg 2, w&t peg 1.
• Knit from peg 2 to peg 31, w&t peg 32.
• Knit from peg 31 to peg 3, w&t peg 2.
• Knit from peg 3 to peg 30, w&t peg 31.
• Knit from peg 30 to peg 4, w&t peg 3.
• Knit from peg 4 to peg 29, w&t peg 30.
• Knit from peg 29 to peg 5, w&t peg 4.
• Knit from peg 5 to peg 28, w&t peg 29.
• Knit from peg 28 to peg 6, w&t peg 5.
• Knit from peg 6 to peg 27, w&t peg 28.
• Knit from peg 27 to peg 7, w&t peg 6.
• Knit from peg 7 to peg 26, w&t peg 27.
• Knit from peg 26 to peg 8, w&t peg 7.
• Knit from peg 8 to peg 25, w&t peg 26.
• Knit from peg 25 to peg 9, w&t peg 8.
• Knit from peg 9 to peg 24, w&t peg 25.
• Knit from peg 24 to peg 10, w&t peg 9.
• Knit from peg 10 to peg 23, w&t peg 24.
• Knit from peg 23 to peg 11, w&t peg 10.
• Knit from peg 11 to peg 22, w&t peg 23.
• Knit from peg 22 to peg 12, w&t peg 11.

(Note: The following increase rows will require working all previous wraps and stitches together as one as the pegs are knit and w&t’d. This can be up to 2 wraps and a stitch worked as one.)

• Knit from peg 12 to peg 23, w&t peg 24 (two wraps and a stitch on this peg)
• Knit from peg 23 to peg 11, w&t peg 10 (two wraps and a stitch on this peg).
• Knit from peg 11 to peg 24, w&t peg 25.
• Knit from peg 24 to peg 10, w&t peg 9.
• Knit from peg 10 to peg 25, w&t peg 26.
• Knit from peg 25 to peg 9, w&t peg 8.
• Knit from peg 9 to peg 26, w&t peg 27.
• Knit from peg 26 to peg 8, w&t peg 7.
• Knit from peg 8 to peg 27, w&t peg 28.
• Knit from peg 27 to peg 7, w&t peg 6.
• Knit from peg 7 to peg 28, w&t peg 29.
• Knit from peg 28 to peg 6, w&t peg 5.
• Knit from peg 6 to peg 29, w&t peg 30 .
• Knit from peg 29 to peg 5, w&t peg 4.
• Knit from peg 5 to peg 30, w&t peg 31 .
• Knit from peg 30 to peg 4, w&t peg 3.
• Knit from peg 4 to peg 31, w&t peg 32.
• Knit from peg 31 to peg 3, w&t peg 2.
• Knit from peg 3 to peg 32, w&t peg 33.
• Knit from peg 32 to peg 2, w&t peg 1.

Peg 1 and Peg 33 still have wraps on them. Continue to the foot instructions. On the first round, pick up the wraps together with the stitch (3 over 1) as the next round is worked.

Short-row heel (and toe) Instructions For 72 Pegs:

• Knit from peg 1 to peg 35, w&t peg 36.
• Knit from peg 35 to peg 2, w&t peg 1.
• Knit from peg 2 to peg 34, w&t peg 35.
• Knit from peg 34 to peg 3, w&t peg 2.
• Knit from peg 3 to peg 33, w&t peg 34.
• Knit from peg 33 to peg 4, w&t peg 3.
• Knit from peg 4 to peg 32, w&t peg 33.
• Knit from peg 32 to peg 5, w&t peg 4.
• Knit from peg 5 to peg 31, w&t peg 32.
• Knit from peg 31 to peg 6, w&t peg 5.
• Knit from peg 6 to peg 30, w&t peg 31.
• Knit from peg 30 to peg 7, w&t peg 6.
• Knit from peg 7 to peg 29, w&t peg 30.
• Knit from peg 29 to peg 8, w&t peg 7.
• Knit from peg 8 to peg 28, w&t peg 29.
• Knit from peg 28 to peg 9, w&t peg 8.
• Knit from peg 9 to peg 27, w&t peg 28.
• Knit from peg 27 to peg 10, w&t peg 9.
• Knit from peg 10 to peg 26, w&t peg 27.
• Knit from peg 26 to peg 11, w&t peg 10.
• Knit from peg 11 to peg 25, w&t peg 26.
• Knit from peg 25 to peg 12, w&t peg 11.
• Knit from peg 12 to peg 24, w&t peg 25.
• Knit from peg 24 to peg 13, w&t peg 12.

(Note: The following increase rows will require working all previous wraps and stitches together as one as the pegs are knit and w&t’d. This can be up to 2 wraps and a stitch worked as one.)

• Knit from peg 13 to peg 25, w&t peg 26 (two wraps and a stitch on this peg)
• Knit from peg 25 to peg 12, w&t peg 11 (two wraps and a stitch on this peg).
• Knit from peg 12 to peg 26, w&t peg 27 .
• Knit from peg 26 to peg 11, w&t peg 10.
• Knit from peg 11 to peg 27, w&t peg 28.
• Knit from peg 27 to peg 10, w&t peg 9.
• Knit from peg 10 to peg 28, w&t peg 29.
• Knit from peg 28 to peg 9, w&t peg 8.
• Knit from peg 9 to peg 29, w&t peg 30.
• Knit from peg 29 to peg 8, w&t peg 7.
• Knit from peg 8 to peg 30, w&t peg 31.
• Knit from peg 30 to peg 7, w&t peg 6.
• Knit from peg 7 to peg 31, w&t peg 32.
• Knit from peg 31 to peg 6, w&t peg 5.
• Knit from peg 6 to peg 32, w&t peg 33.
• Knit from peg 32 to peg 5, w&t peg 4.
• Knit from peg 5 to peg 33, w&t peg 34.
• Knit from peg 33 to peg 4, w&t peg 3.
• Knit from peg 4 to peg 34, w&t peg 36.
• Knit from peg 34 to peg 3, w&t peg 2.
• Knit from peg 3 to peg 35, w&t peg 36.
• Knit from peg 35 to peg 2, w&t peg 1.

Peg 1 and Peg 36 still have wraps on them. Continue to the foot instructions.  On the first round, pick up the wraps together with the stitch (3 over 1) as the next round is worked.

To leave a question or comment for Bethany Dailey, simply add your comments to the section below! 🙂