The inspiration for this sock is based on Nicole Cormier’s foot pattern on the Herringbone. I call this stitch a sc v-stitch, the term Nicole used was “shell”. Nicole’s Shell.

The shell stitch will be used in a KnitPicks forum toe-up, customized sock CAL. Each individual will create their own pattern for a custom fit sock.

My sock:
Using a C hook 15 chain=2inches. Row 1-28sc measured flat and unstretched width=~2”. Several rows into toe section with D hook- 7sc=1 inch.

Changing to D hook on row 2. Side to side increases of 2. Row 10 a 4 stitch increase, r.15 3 increase to get me ready for shell pattern…
Toe section complete at row 15, next row sc vstitch pattern begins.
Body of foot at row 30, 7 inches long. Short row heel start.(chose 28sc)
16 row decreases w/12 st left in row. Row 17 first side increase, row 18 shown with toothpicks is area of second side increase. I’m working it so my ss goes in what was earlier, the last skipped stitch in row, during the decreases. Heel cup increases to 27 stitches before beginning sock cuff.
Row 1 cuff- shell stitch, with foundation shell in heel segment(sc v-stitch, skip 2 st, sc vstitch…)
switched to F hook 3-5 rows into cuff.
Row 16 dc around and start FPDC alt sc around till row 23. Picot around finish.
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http://community.knitpicks.com/group/crochetalong/forum/t...

some Key points from page 5 of CAL:
Pattern-Nicole’s Beginner Sock - a free Ravelry download, for overall construction understanding. We will be changing to the v-stitch-shell stitch (sc,ch 2, sc) instead of all sc after the toe.
The Short row heel and v stitch shell in the cuff pattern will be incorporated into our sock CAL.

Whatever you do with the first sock be sure to make notes so you do the same with the second sock.

After the toe section our pattern will start.
The shell pattern requires a multiple of 3. ie.I can choose to use 54sc and get 18 shells in the foot pattern which was comfy in a pair of socks I recently finished. Or, I can increase to 57 stitches and get 19 shells.

After the toe increases for your width and tension. Here are the stitch count numbers you“ll need to increase in the toe section to obtain the shell pattern.

45sc for 15 shells; 48sc for 16 shells; 51 for 17 shells; 54 for 18 shells; 57 for 19 shells.

You’ll need one marker to mark the beginning of round. It’s a comfy, stretchy stitch.

The first stitch will be made so it isn’t directly on the side of the sock. If you are off a tad, just sc 1 or 2 stitches then start.

Row 1- sc,Ch2,sc in first stitch, skip 2 stitches, shell, skip 2 stitches, repeat around to first stitch.
Row2- no join, shell in ch2 space, shell in ch2space repeat around.

For my sock I continue in the round to row 30. From toe to leg/ankle join area. Total length of sock from toe to row 30 is 7 inches.

Try your socks on maybe 5-10 rows into the shell pattern to check the fit. Too tight? RIP back to toe and add stitch increases.

Heel(see Nicole’s instruction for short row heel)
I recently learned the short row heel from Nicole’s Herringbone pattern and I like it much better than the afterthought heel.

How to go from shell back to sc.
ie. heel section Place a sc in first sc, sc in ch2 space and sc in remaining sc. Every shell produces 3 sc.