Hello everyone! I am back to share the pattern for my Chain Reaction Socks with you! As I mentioned in my previous post these are the perfect socks for crashing in front of the TV with your latest Netflix binge, or for on the go. There are only two rows of actual pattern work and the rest is all just knit, knit, knit. This makes it a great project for beginner sock knitters who want to practice a bit of stitch work!
Don’t know how to knit socks?
Don’t worry, the Scheepjes Bloggers have your back!
This pattern assumes that you know the basics of toe up sock knitting already, but for those who don’t have previous experience but would still like to give it a go, my fellow blogger, Carmen from New Leaf Designs, has a fantastic toe up sock tutorial over here on her blog. The experienced sock knitters out there, like me, may choose to change to your own preferred toe / heel method and use the stitch pattern alone. That’s entirely up to you!
Did you know that the Chain Reaction Socks pattern is also available as a handy printable PDF?
For a small fee you get access to a lovely full colour PDF with photos as well as a printer friendly version with only the essential info. Buying the pattern makes it easier to take with you on the go and also supports me as a designer! Click here to purchase your PDF’s now!
Chain Reaction Socks Pattern
Materials
Scheepjes Metropolis (75% Merino extra fine / 25% Nylon) 2 x Marseilles (8122)
2.5mm needles
Gauge / Tension
30 sts x 44 rows over 10cm x 10cm in stockinette using 2.5mm (unblocked)
Measurements
Sizing can vary a lot from person to person. I am giving average sizing info with as much additional measurement details as possible to achieve the right fit for you.
Sizes: Women S(M, L, Men S, M, L)
Total sts (before/after increase): 56/57(60/61, 64/65, 64/65, 68/69, 72/73)
Cast-on: 20(20, 24, 24, 24, 28)
Adding one st pattern repeat of 4 sts increases sock width by 1.5cm.
Adding one Chain Pattern Repeat of 7 rows increases length of sock by a little less than 1.5cm.
Abbreviations
ds double st (see mds explanation)
k knit
mds make double st. After turning, slip last worked st from left to right needle, pull yarn up and over right needle and get in position to work following row. Creates a ‘double st’. This is a single st which has the appearance of being two sts. Double sts are always worked as one st when encountered later in the pattern. After knit side: After turning, yarn is already in front, pull up and over needle to the back and to the front again to begin to purl. After purl side: After turning, pull yarn to front, then pull up over the needle to the back to prepare to knit.
m1r make one right (1 st increased)
m1l make one left (1 st increased)
p purl
pm place marker
rs right side of work
sl wyif slip with yarn in front
sm slip marker
st(s) st(es)
Instructions
Cast-On and Toe
Using Judy’s Magic Cast-on cast on 20(20, 24, 24, 24, 28) sts with half on each needle.
Round 1 Knit all sts.
Round 2 K1, m1r, knit to 1 st before end of first half, m1l, k1. Turn to second needle and repeat for second half of sock.
Round 3 Knit all sts.
Repeat rounds 2 and 3 until you have reached 56(60, 64, 64, 68, 72) total sts.
Foot Chain Pattern Repeat
Round 1 (P1, sl wyif) across first needle, knit all sts on second needle.
Round 2 (Sl wyif, p1) across first needle, knit all sts on second needle.
Rounds 3 – 7 Knit all sts.
Repeat Rounds 1-7 of the Chain Pattern Repeat until desired length (see measurement notes), stopping after first half of Round 5 to begin heel.
Begin Heel
First Half of Heel
The heel is worked on the second needle only, turning to work each side. The sts for the top of the foot remain on the first needle.
Row 1 (RS) Knit to 1 st left, turn and mds.
Row 2 Purl to 1 st left, turn and mds.
Row 3 Knit all sts before ds, turn and mds.
Row 4 Purl all sts before ds, turn and mds.
Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until you have 10(10, 12, 12, 12, 14) single sts in between your double sts. For example, for a women’s small size you should have 10 single sts in the center, and 8 double sts plus 1 single st on each side.
Turning the Heel
Row 1 Knit to first ds, pm, knit to end knitting each ds as a single st. Turn and mds on last st.
Row 2 Purl to marker, sm, purl center sts to before first ds, pm, purl to end, purling each ds as a single st. Turn and mds on last st.
Row 3 Knit to second marker (slipping first marker), remove second marker, k1, turn and mds.
Row 4 Purl to marker, remove marker, p1, turn and mds.
Second half of Heel
Row 1 Knit to ds, knit ds as single st, k1, turn and mds.
Row 2 Purl to ds, purl ds as single st, p1, turn and mds.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until you have 2 ds at each end of your needle.
Knit across all heel sts, knitting each of the two double sts at the end as single sts.
Finishing Heel and Leg
Leg Setup
Round 1 M1(m1l or m1r, either will work) in beginning join. Knit all sts across first needle. On second needle, knit all sts, knitting the two double sts as single sts. 57(61, 65, 65, 69, 73) sts
Round 2 Knit all sts.
Leg Chain Pattern Repeat
Round 1 (P1, sl wiyf) to 1 st left before end of round, p1.
Round 2 (Sl wyif, p1) to 1 st left before end of round, sl1 wyif.
Rounds 3-7 Knit all sts.
Repeat Rounds 1-7 of the Leg Chain Pattern Repeat until the leg reaches 2.5cm before your desired length.
Cuff
Round 1 K2tog, k1, p2, (k2, p2) to end of round. 56(60, 64, 64, 68, 72) sts
Rounds 2 – 10 (K2, p2) to end of round.
Loosely bind off all sts.
Don’t forget to use the hashtag #ChainReactionSocks and tag me on Instagram or Facebook to be sure I don’t miss your updates! You can also click here to add the Chain Reaction Socks to your favourites or queue on Ravelry!
Below is a handy photo for if you want to save the pattern to your Pinterest boards or on other social media.
Where To Buy
UK and International buyers will find Metropolis at Woolwarehouse and Black Sheep Wools.
Canadian and International buyers have a great option with Knotty House.
Those of you in the Netherlands can find all you need at Caro’s Atelier.
You can also ask your preferred Scheepjes retailer or find a shop near you!
This post contains affiliate links. This is a way for you to support Canadutch and me as a designer. It is no extra cost to you, but if you shop via one of these links, I get a small percentage of the sale!
Copyright 2020, Tammy Canavan-Soldaat. This pattern and pictures are the property of Tammy Canavan-Soldaat. All rights reserved. Pattern is available for personal use only. No unauthorized reproduction, in whole or in part, or distribution of this pattern or content, including text or pictures is allowed. You may sell items made from this pattern.
