Waffle Socks Pattern

Here's the basics of the pattern I'm using for my waffle socks:

Materials:
1 skein Socks That Rock medium weight (from Blue Moon Fiber Arts)
1 set US 1.0 dpns or 2 circulars
markers as desired

NOTE: Directions are given for dpns (even though I worked mine on 2 circulars). If you want to see directions for working on 2 circulars, see the pattern for Dishcloth Socks.

Gauge/Tension: 8 sts = 1"

Pattern Stitch:
Rnds 1 - 3: K all sts
Rnds 4 - 6: *P2, K2*

NOTE: I prefer to work Rnds 4-6 as K1, *P2,K2* to the last 3 stitches, then end P2, K1. This makes sure that the first and last stitch on the needles is a knit stitch and therefore ensures the pattern will be balanced over the instep.


Cuff
CO 64 sts
Work 2 x 2 ribbing (K2, P2) for 12 rnds. (Make sure you work the ribbing the same way as you'll work rnds 4 - 6 of the pattern stitch.)

Leg
Rnd 13: Begin pattern stitch; work for 10 iterations (1 pattern with 9 repeats), then K all sts for 3 more rnds.

Heel Flap
With Right Side facing, work heel flap across first 32 sts as follows:

Row 1: Sl 1, *P2, Sl 2 (purlwise, with yarn in back)* to last 3 stitches, end with P2, K1. Turn work.
Row 2 (WS): Sl 1, P to the end. Turn work.

Work these 2 rows 16 times (32 rows total) so that there are 16 slipped stitches on each side of the heel flap.

Heel Turn
With Right Side facing, K 18, SSK, K1, turn work.
Next row: sl 1, P5, P2tog, P1, turn work.

Continue as follows:
Right side: sl 1, K to 1 st before the gap, SSK (one from each side of the gap), K1, turn work.
Wrong side: sl 1, P to 1 st before gap, P2tog (one from each side of the gap), P1, turn work.

NOTE: On the last two rows, you will end with SSK and P2tog (respectively). That's how it should be.

18 sts total remain of the heel flap/turn sts.

Gussett

RS facing and using Needle 1, K across the heel flap sts. Pick up 16 sts on the right side of the heel flap (one in each of the slipped stitches along the side).

Change to Needle 2 and work pattern across the 32 instep sts (K1, *P2, K2* across, end K1).

Change to Needle 3 and pick up 16 sts on the left side of the heel flap. K the first 9 of the heel flap sts.

Work Gusset as follows:

Rnd 1 (decrease round)
Needle 1 — K to 3 sts before the end, K2tog, K1
Needle 2 — work pattern as established
Needle 3 — K1, SSK, the K to end

Rnd 2 (regular round)
Needle 1 — K all sts
Needle 2 — work pattern as established
Needle 3 — K all sts

Continue working rounds 1 and 2 until there are 64 sts on all needles.

Foot
Work all as Rnd 2 (above) until sock measures 1.5" from end of your foot. If you're working rounds 4-6, end after rnd 6.

Toe Decreases:
Decrease Round (4 sts decr):
Needle 1 — K to last 3 sts, K2 tog, K1
Needle 2 — K1, SSK, K to last 3 sts, K2 tog, K1
Needle 3 — K1, SSK, K to end

Non-Decrease Round:
K all sts

Work alternating Decrease and Non-Decrease rounds until 32 sts rem, work one more Non-Decrease round, then work only Decrease rounds until 8 - 12 sts remain. Graft toe closed. Work in ends.