This is a Cuff-down or Toe-up sock that uses many of my favorite parts about knitting socks – this is more of a recipe for knitting a sock and you can use some or all of these features to create YOUR perfect sock! The beauty of this pattern is that it can be used in just about any Cuff-down OR Toe-up sock with great pattern details, simple vanilla socks, and everything in between. I have always looked for a heel that would be simple to work without having to pick up extra stitches or short rows that left a gap at the corners. This Diamond heel pattern is wonderfully simple and can be adapted for larger/wider feet but will also fit a narrow heel very nicely. You can use this pattern for the self-striping yarn and allow the striping to continue through the pattern without losing your stripes when you insert the heel. This pattern also works well for variegated, tonal, speckled yarns, or any other yarn you fancy. Welcome to the simplicity of this pattern/recipe and I really hope you enjoy knitting these socks!

Difficulty Level - Advanced Beginner

Skills Required/Techniques Used
• Knit & purl, slip stiches, cast on, bind off, Increasing, decreasing using M1R, M1L, ssk, k2tog, p2tog
• Working in the round -small circumference – this can be done with DPNs, magic loop, 9- inch circulars, or with two circular needles (knitter preference)
• Experience with Top-down OR Toe-up sock knitting
• Rounded toe or Star toe

MATERIALS:
Yarn: Choose a single yarn/color: 75% Fine Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Nylon;
Approximately 420yds per 100g skein/ball; 1 skein/ball used
o 4 Samples used – Always Be Kind Yarn in Rainbows for Kaylan - Rainbow LIGHTS; Midnight Rainbows; Taste the Rainbow; and JACK & SALLY - Simply Meant to Be
• Substitutes- any fingering weight or sock yarn

Needles:
• 2.5mm/ US#1.5 and 2.75mm/US #2
(Your choice of DPN, 9” circulars, 2 circulars, or long circular for magic loop to knit small circumference)
Gauge – 9 stitches and 11 rows per inch (36 stitches and 44 rows over 4 inches) – ADJUST # if stitches or needle size to fit your gauge
Sizes – Women’s US 7-10 (9”/23cm Foot circ, 12”/30cm length)

Notions:
• Stitch markers – 6 removable with one being a different color or style for marking the start of round
• Yarn needle

Shout out to all my test knitters -
Kristy, Heidi, Ivana, Stephanie

and on Ravelry:
Tobias4lyph
nicolasina
Envista
DawnMcD
Coloradoknits
Tieriana