Regia is the best sock wool. I didn't love wool, but it makes the best-wearing socks. This is the best and fastest way to knit a pair. I knit it almost all in plain knit because I can knit much faster than I can purl and patterns really slow me down (although they look awesome). I love a snug-fitting sock and I have size 9 (wide) feet. Adjust as you see fit, so to speak.
M (make) as often as possible on the back loop to leave the smallest hole possible
100g yarn
5 size-1 Double-Pointed Needles (DPN)
9" size-1 circular needle (I like the Chiagoo)
stitch markers
ruler
CAST ON
Cast on 30 stitches on two of the DPN using the figure eight cast-on method. I leave a decent amount of tail so that I can knit it into the second half of the first round and then I don't have to worry about it unraveling and can simply cut it off after that first, but make sure not to pick up the two threads as two stitches. Make a slip knot on the right needle, then wind under around and down over the left needle (one stitch) down through the middle and under around and over the right needle (second stitch). Repeat to 30 stitches and be sure not to include the knot. Pull them snug. Knit the stiches on the left needle but don't count them as a round (or part of one). Drop the slip knot, pick up the tail and knit one round, all stitches on both needles.
TOE
Knit the toe in pairs of rounds, increasing twice at each edge for the first round and a plain knit the second, notated thus:
1--K1 M1 knit to the penultimate stich M1 K1 (first needle)
Repeat for second needle to finish the first round
2--Knit a round
Repeat to 25 stitches on each needle or 50 stitches total. Add a pair of needles as needed (pretty early, in my experience)
FOOT
Switch to the circular needle, marking the edges and continue knitting all rounds until the sock measures six inches.
GUSSETS
Increase at each edge to create the gussets until there are 70 stitches total, notated as pairs of rounds thus:
1--Sole(first needle)-K1 M1 knit to the penultimate stitch M1 K1 --- Arch(second needle)-Knit
2--Knit one round (both needles)
For the final round (once you've reached 70) taking off the markers: put 25 arch stitches on the Chiagoo, sole---14 on one DPN, 17 on the second DPN, and 14 on the third DPN.
HEEL
Working only on the second needle (for now) on a knit row:
K1 M1 knit to penultimate stitch wrap and turn
P1 M1 P to the 3rd-to-last-stitch wrap and turn
K1 M1 K to the 3rd-to-last-stitch wrap and turn
P1 M1 P to the 5th-to-last-stitch wrap and turn
K1 M1 K to the 5th-to-last-stitch wrap and turn
P1 M1 P to the 7th-to-last-stitch wrap and turn
K1 M1 K to the 7th-to-last-stitch wrap and turn
TURN HEEL
P1 M1 P to the last stitch, slip & purl tog with stitch from the first needle, turn. Repeat the following pattern until all stitches on needle one and three are used, splitting the work on the second needle as needed (Partridge stitch);
Slip1 (K1 S1) to penultimate stitch, knit together with stitch from other needle turn
Slip 1 P to penultimate stitch, purl together with stitch from other needle turn
Slip1 K1 (K1 S1) to penultimate stitch, knit together with stitch from other needle turn
Slip 1 P to penultimate stitch, purl together with stitch from other needle turn
LEG
Knit around all 50 stitches until the sock is as high as you desire, then K1 P1 for the final 1-1/2 inch. Secure your end and Boom, SOCK! Repeat for a pair :-)
