One Fish, Two Fish ©
Deborah Tomasello
In honor of everyone’s favorite children’s author, Dr. Seuss, I designed these socks with a tessellating fish
pattern. Both adult and child sizes are included, and you can further tweak the sizing by going up or down in
needle size. These socks feature the Sweet Tomato Heel, allowing the colorwork design to continue,
uninterrupted through the instep. And because they are stranded, these socks have double thickness for extra
warmth. But since the yarn used is fingering-weight, the socks are not too bulky to be worn in shoes. Also, I
have included the option for a secret pocket that is just big enough to hold a key, some cash or other small
valuables. Fold the top cuff down to cover the pocket opening for added security.
Size: Teen and Adult Woman medium (adjust sizing for larger or smaller socks by changing
needle size) and child medium (also, adjust sizing by increasing or decreasing needle size)
Materials: 1 ball each off Knit Picks Palette (each ball is 50g) Cyan and Serrano
(231 yds per ball 100% Peruvian Highland Wool)
5 DPNs size #3 for medium (#1 or #2 for smaller socks, or #4 or #5 for larger socks)
tapestry needle
Gauge: 32 stitches = approx. 4” on #3 needles
SOCKS: Make 2
Instructions: Socks are worked top-down. On chart, sts on the right are at the center back of
the sock. Instructions for Adult are given in bold, followed by child instructions in parentheses.
NOTE: Float every 2-3 stitches to keep toes from getting caught in floats!
LEG:
With DPNs (#1 or #2 for small, #3 for medium, and #4 or #5 for larger socks) and Cyan, CO 64
(44) sts , split evenly among 4 DPNs. (Join to work in round, placing marker and being careful
not to twist stitches if using a circular needle). Knit 20 (16) rounds 2x2 rib.
OPTIONAL SECRET POCKET:
On last ribbing round, knit first 11(6) stitches. Using spare needle, knit the next 14 (10) stitches
(DO NOT RIB). Turn. Work back and forth ON THESE 14 (10) STS ONLY, in stockinette, for 24
(18) rows. BO. Set spare needle aside, Leaving another long tail, CO 14 (10) sts, and continue
ribbing around. * On adult size only, increase 2 sts- one at the beginning and one at the end of
this final ribbing round so that you will be working the chart on 66, rather than 64 sts.
After ribbing, begin following sock CHART A for Teen and Adult or CHART B for child. Add
more or fewer rounds for a longer or shorter leg or foot, as desired.
Add Serrano and follow chart for 48 (39) rounds, or until leg is desired length.
HEEL:
My socks feature the Sweet Tomato Heel (STH). You may use the heel of your choice, but I
recommend one that does not employ a flap or gussets to allow for an even design flow
through the instep. For a tutorial on the STH, see this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRc3309JUyc
Once you understand how to knit the STH, proceed using the STH heel instructions, knitting
heel with Cyan. Work three wedges on the 34 (22) sts on needles 1 and 4. Work wedges
leaving 7 (5) stitch pairs on each side. Knit according to pattern across the instep stitches
between wedges. Follow the chart for the instep stitches (the sts you have on needles 2 and
3). After working the first half of wedge one, work across the instep per round 49 (40) of the
chart, the 2nd wedge will use the appropriate part of round 50(41), and the 3rd wedge will use
the appropriate part of round 51( 42). Float, or knit every other stitch, Serrano down when
starting each wedge so that it is placed at the beginning of the instep when you are ready for
it. And work second half of wedge pick-ups by alternating colors as seen in pic. Continue to
knit with alternating colors down to within 2 sts of instep as you begin first row only of each
wedge so that Serrano will be at the instep when you are ready to use it. See my Youtube
tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeryK-gB84M
.
FOOT:
Working all sts on circular needle or split evenly on DPNs as with leg, work chart from through
round 100 (81) rounds, or to desired foot length, allowing an inch to an inch and a half for toe
portion.
TOE:
* On adult size only, first toe dec round will have dec on the bottom of the sock (needles 1
and 4) ONLY. This will get you back to 64 sts…16 on each needle.
Using both colors in stripes, decrease for toe as follows:
Needle 1: K to last 3 sts of NEEDLE 1, K2TOG, K1
Needle 2: K1, K2TOG, knit remaining sts.
Needle 3: K to last 3 stitches of NEEDLE 3, K2TOG, K1
Needle 4: K1, K2TOG, knit remaining sts.
Repeat these two rounds until there are 7 (4) sts left on each needle. Place sts from needles 4
and 1 onto one needle 14(8)sts. Place sts from needles 2 and 3 onto one needle 14 (8) sts.
Graft the remaining stitches together using Kitchener st.
Finishing: With long tails left from detaching and CO pocket sts, sew pocket down to inside of
sock. On the front of the sock, pick up the 14 (10) CO st loops and, using Cyan, work a 2x2 rib
(starting and ending odd rows with knit 2, and even rows with purl 2), back and forth for
6 (4)rows. BO. Secure ribbing sides to sock.
Tie and weave in or trim all yarn ends at beginning and ends of rounds. Wash & block to fit.
Copyright © 2015 by Deborah Tomasello
All rights reserved. This pattern or any portion thereof
may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever
without the express written permission of the publisher.
WARNING: Giving or accepting a free copy of this pattern, without permission of the
designer, is stealing.
CoeDeborah@aol.com
CHART A
CHART B
