Training Sock
by Kate Atherley
Tangy
A mini-sized sock, built using standard sock creation techniques.  Designed 
specifically to teach the principles of knitting without requiring a commitment 
to lace-weight yarn on 2mm needles.  

This is one of the only patterns you will ever knit that won't require swatching 
for gauge.  Gauge is not critical.  

SIZE
one size: small and cute (decoration, anyone?)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Cuff to sole: approx 3.5 inches
Toe to heel: approx 4.25 inches

MATERIALS
scrap (less than 1 ounce/25gm) worsted weight yarn

1 set US 7/4.5mm double-point needles 

GAUGE
approx 20 sts/28 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch

PATTERN
Cuff 
Cast 24 stitches on a single needle.  Distribute stitches evenly across 3 needles.  
Join, being careful not to twist stitches.
Work 6 rounds in k 1, p1 ribbing.
Work 6 rounds in stockinette stitch (knitting every round).

Divide for Heel
Slide the first twelve stitches onto one needle, the remaining twelve onto 
another.   You will work the heel on the first twelve stitches.

Knit 1 row on 12 heel stitches.  This is the right side.

Work 7 more row in stockinette stitch (starting with a wrong side/purl row 
first), slipping first stitch of every row.  

Turn Heel
Next row is right side facing.  

Foundation row: Knit 8 stitches, SKP (sl1, k1, psso), turn.
Row 1: Sl 1, p4, p2tog, turn.
Row 2: Sl 1, k4, SKP, turn.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until all the stitches are worked.  You l have 6 stitches, 
and the right side will be facing.

Shape the Gusset
Knit the 6 heel stitches.
Using a new needle, pick up 6 stitches along the first side of the flap, using the loops 
created by the slipping of the first stitch of each row that you did in step 2.
With another new needle, knit across the 12 instep stitches.
With another needle, pick up 6 stitches across the other side of the flap, again using the 
loops created by slipping the stitches in step 2.  With that same needle, knit the first 3 heel stitches.

Decrease the Gusset
The start of the round is the centre of the heel.  Slide the last three stitches 
of the heel onto the first needle (that is, the one you would work with next), 
so that you have 9 stitches each on Needles 1 and 3, and 12 stitches on Needle 2.

Knit 1 round even, knitting into the back loops of all the picked-up stitches.

Work a decrease round:  Needle 1: knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1.  Needle 2: 
knit all 12 stitches.  Needle 3: K1, SSK (slip 1 knitwise, slip 1 knitwise, insert 
left needle into the fronts of these two slipped stitches, and knit them 
together), knit to the end of the round.
Work an even round.

Alternate decrease round and even rounds until 6 stitches remain on each of 
Needle 1 and 3.  24 stitches total.  

Foot
Knit 6 rounds even.  

Toe
Work a decrease round:  Needle 1: knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1.  Needle 2: 
k1, ssk, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1.  Needle 3: K1, ssk, knit to end of 
needle.
Work an even round. 
Alternate decrease rounds and even rounds until 8 stitches remain.
Leaving a 12 inch tail, cut yarn.  Finish by pulling yarn through remaining 
stitches.

FINISHING
Sew in loose ends.  Or not.  If you want to turn it into a decoration, attach a 
chain of crochet to the cuff to form a hook.