John's Anniversox
This pattern is a variation on the aran braid pattern.
Gauge: 6 1/2 to 7 stitches per inch
First decide how much you love your DH and choose a luxury yarn accordingly ;). The socks featured above were knit using two skeins of Taj Mahal by Filatura CCervinia (Le Fibre Nobili). Details on yarn are 8% Cashmere, 22% silk and 70% extrafine merino--170M. Any fingering weight yarn would work, but get an extra skein for insurance if you want a long cuff or have a bigfooted mate!
Cast on 68 stitches (22/24/22) and K2P2 rib for 1 1/2 inches. Knit one round, and relocate stitches (23/22/23)
XOX cable down the sides of 68 stitch sock (23/22/23)--stitch pattern takes up 12 stitches at end of first needle, beginning of 3rd (Needle 1--K11, P2, K8, P2; Needle 2--K22; Needle 3--P2, K8, P2, K11).
modified XOXO cable:
Row 1-- P2, K8, P2 (and all odd numbered rows!)
Row 2--P2, 4 stitch front cable (2 on cable hook to front/knit 2/knit 2 from cable), 4 stitch back cable (2 on cable hook to back, knit two, then knit two from cable hook), P2
Row 3 -- P2, K8, P2
Row 4 -- P2, 4 stitch front cable (2 on cable hook to front/knit 2/knit 2 from cable), 4 stitch back cable (2 on cable hook to back, knit two, then knit two from cable hook), P2
Row 5 -- P2, K8, P2
Row 6 -- P2, K8, P2
Row 7 -- P2, K8, P2
Row 8 -- P2, 4 stitch back cable (2 on cable hook to back, knit two, then knit two from cable hook), 4 stitch front cable (2 on cable hook to front/knit 2/knit 2 from cable), P2
Row 9 -- P2, K8, P2
Row 10 -- P2, 4 stitch back cable (2 on cable hook to back, knit two, then knit two from cable hook), 4 stitch front cable (2 on cable hook to front/knit 2/knit 2 from cable), P2
Row 11 -- P2, K8, P2
Row 12-- P2, K8, P2
Repeat
You can also do the 16 row version in BW1, page 255--I thought there would be too few cables...
Here is the detail on the cabling as I did it.
XOXOXOXO Complete last O with two crosses or do cable until desired length; Start heel.
Divide for heel--34 stitches top and bottom; divide your stitches so you keep p2, single cable twist K4) on top on either side. You will have 6 stitches of the cable, then 22 stitches stockingnette, then six stitches of the cable (total=34) on the top. Favorite heel for 3" on the bottom 34 stitches.
Turn heel.
Purl 18 stitches, P2tog, p1, turn (13 stitches remaining behind)
Sl1, k3, SSK, K1, turn (13 stitches remaining behind)
Sl1, P4, P2tog, P1, turn
Sl1, K5, SSK, K1, turn
Sl1, P6,P2tog, P1, turn
Sl1, K7, SSK, K1, turn
Sl1, P8, P2tog, P1, turn
Sl1, K9, SSK, K1, turn
Sl1, p10, P2tog, P1, turn
Sl1, K11, SSK, K1, turn
Sl1, P12, P2tog, P1, turn
Sl1, K13, SSK, K1, turn
Sl1, P14, P2tog, P1, turn
Sl1, K15, SSK, K1, turn
Sl1, P16, P2tog, turn
Sl1, K17, K2tog--total of 18 stitches
Pick up stitches along the heel, including both the bottom stitch (twist if necessary to get tight stitch) and a careful stitch picked up where the cable from the cuff splits. In my case (3" heel) that comes to 22 stitches.
Knit Across top. Pick up same no, of stitches down the other side of the heel. Divide heel stitches across the two gussett needles--9 stitches each. For my socks 22 stitches plus 9 equalled 31 stitches on either heel needle. Now the fun begins again.
First, knit up to the last two stitches on needle 1, then move two stitches from the end of the first needle to the top of the foot, to complete the new cabling down the foot--p2, K4, p2, then K22, p2, K4, pick up and purl top two stitches from needle 3, Knit down the third needle.
Total of 38 stitches on top needle (go for 5 needles if that makes you more comfortable);
Now you are ready for the gusset decreases and the new cable--your choice of a twist stitch version of the XOXOXOX cable OR simple four stitch cable:
Twist stitch cable down gusset:
LT, RT
Knit
LT, RT
Knit
Knit
RT, LT
Knit
RT, LT
Knit
Knit
Repeat
I suspect that the simple four-stitch cable would be better looking and flow more obviously from the cable above, but I went for the one above.
For decreases on heel needles--K to last three stitches, k2tog, k1
Knit across top of foot in your chosen pattern,
K1, SSk, K to end of heel.
Second round--K all stitches on both heel needles, but maintain pattern of choice across the top.
Decrease till 15 stitches on each heel needle; then move the 8 cable stitch pattern to the heel needles...Now you have 23/22/23 again. Proceed merrily down the foot in question.
XOXOXOXOXOX end last X, Two rows of knit; start reducing with decreases (described below) followed by 3 knit rows, next decrease followed by 2 knit rows, next three decreases alternating with 1 row knit even. Then decrease every row to six stitches. Kitchener or close toe in your favorite manner.
Decrease as you normally would:
Needle #1--knit to last three stitches, K2tog, K1
Needle #2--K1, SSk, knit to last three stitches, K2tog, K1
Needle #3--K1, ssk, knit to end
Fits size 8 1/2-9 with 6 1/4 to 6 1/2 inch cuff.