Special Socks for Ukraine

Special socks are needed for the wounded in Ukraine. It is not possible to buy them but they are easy to knit – the heel is not required but they need to have buttons with the opening starting right after the toes area (the example on the photo below is a bit wrong as the buttons are starting too high, needs to be lower).

EDIT – Velco can be used instead of buttons

This information below is from the request for the socks. It has not been tested by Brockenhurst WI, but if you have some pure wool and are willing to have a go, please let us know how you get on. Thank you

Please note, that they have to be made of wool for breathability – coarse wool is even better as it stimulates blood flow.

Width (when buttoned) 14-16 cm, length 45-55 cm.

Please help if you can, single socks are ok as well.

There is no exact pattern for this sock – you can improvise depending on your skills level, but this can be used as an instruction – this is what I am doing (I am not an advanced knitter so keeping it simple! I do not do the heel, but you can if you are more skilled):

1. Make a sample in stocking stitch from the yarn you have on hand or purchased using most fitting needles size. Cast on 11 stitches, do few rows (10-15) and measure the width of the sample. Calculated how many stitches you will need to cast on for a ‘body’ of the sock which should be 28-32 cm wide.

2. Cast on respective number of stitches (even number) as calculated plus a bit more for the overlapping border for the buttons of ca 3 cm (depending on the yarn can be 6 stitches for chunky wool and 8-9 for aran weight and 10-12 for finer yarns).

3. Knit 5-7 cm in rib. RS: (K1P1) repeat till the for the overlapping border stitches. Knit the boarder in K. WS: (P1K1) repeat till the for the overlapping border stitches. Knit the border in K.

4. Carry on for 35-40 cm as described in point 3; every 3-4 cm make a hole for the button in the middle of overlap boarder:  ywfd, k2tog.

5. Bind off the stitches which you casted for the overlap border.

6. Redistribute the stitches left on either 2 DPNs or round needles with equal number of stiches on each needle – but ensure the opening of the sock is in the middle of one of the needles – this will be the front.

7. Knit the toe of the sock for about 4 cm:

Rnd 1: *K2, SSK, knit to last 4 sts before mrk, K2tog, K2; rep from * to end of rnd.

Rnd 2: Knit.

(or use other technique you prefer)

8. Close the remaining stitches in kitchener stitch or your preferred method.

9. Stitch on the buttons on the other side.

Please bring completed socks to the WI Meetings or pass on to Julie and she will post them.

Thank you.