These enchanting colorwork socks glow with the colors of autumn foliage

Size: EU 38/39

Calf circumference: 35–40 cm

Syysmetsä socks: supplies

Gauge

21 sts = 10 cm, 24 rows = 10 cm.

How to knit the Syysmetsä socks

1. Cast on 66 sts with the main color (dark brown) and distribute them 17-16-16-17. Work ribbing according to the chart for rounds 1–13, then work stockinette for round 14.

2. Begin colorwork at round 15 of chart A. Work the leg following the chart. On the rounds listed below, decrease at the start of needle 1 and end of needle 4 in a suitable place:

Decreases:

Round 35: decrease 2 sts -> 64 sts remain

Round 47: decrease 2 sts -> 62 sts remain

Round 54: decrease 2 sts -> 60 sts remain

Round 65: decrease 2 sts -> 58 sts remain

Note: Rearrange sts on round 69 as follows: 17-12-12-17

Round 70: decrease 2 sts -> 56 sts remain

Round 75: decrease 2 sts -> 54 sts remain

Round 81: decrease 2 sts -> 52 sts remain

Round 87: decrease 2 sts -> 50 sts remain

Round 91: decrease 2 sts -> 48 sts remain

3. After you have finished 99 rounds for the leg, check that you have 12-12-12-12 sts.

The heel flap will be worked in reversed reinforced stitch and in the main color. Begin by knitting the sts on needle 1 onto needle 4 for a total of 24 sts. Leave the other sts on hold. Turn work, slip the first st purlwise, purl the rest.

1. (right side) Turn the work and slip 1 st knitwise, k1, *slip 1 st purlwise with yarn in front, k1*, repeat *–* for the rest of the row.

2. (wrong side) Turn, slip 1 purlwise, purl the rest.

4. Repeat these two rows until the heel flap measures 24 rows and you have ended on a WS row. Begin the heel turn decreases: Continue working the reinforced stitch pattern. Work the RS row until 9 sts remain on the needle. Work an skp decrease (slip 1, k1, and pass slipped st over knit st) and turn work. There are 7 sts left on the other needle. Sl 1 purlwise, purl until 9 sts remain, p2tog, then turn. Sl 1 knitwise, work until 8 sts remain, skp, turn. Sl 1 purlwise, purl until 8 sts remain, p2tog, turn.

5. Continue in this manner, decreasing the side sts on each row while maintaining the 8 center sts. When no side sts remain, divide the heel flap sts onto two needles (4-4). Knit the 4 sts on needle 4 so the yarn ends up at the middle of the needles.

6. Pick up 14 sts along each side of the heel flap on needles 1 and 4. You now have 60 sts total.

7. Continue the colorwork from round 1 of chart B. Knit the picked-up sts through the back loop. Begin the gusset decreases: at the end of needle 1, k2tog, and at the beginning of needle 4, skp. Make these decreases on rounds 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 (indicated in chart B). The gray squares in the chart indicate that there are no sts at those spots. When you finish the gusset decreases, you’ll have 48 sts remaining (12 on each needle). Continue the colorwork following the chart.

8. After finishing the 37 rounds of the chart, knit the rest of the sock with the main color and work a wide wedge toe:

At the end of needles 1 and 3: k2tog, k1.

At the beginning of needles 2 and 4: k1, skp.

Decrease every other round. When 8 sts remain on each needle, decrease every round. With 8 sts left total, break the yarn and pull it through remaining sts. Weave in ends and steam the socks lightly.