Shark Socks

Knitted Animal Socks and Hats

Posted by Ryland Peters & Small

About

Man-eating sharks aren’t the cutest of creatures, but I thought man-eating socks would be cool—and I hope you agree. The socks are straightforward to knit, though you’ll need to work a crochet edging and feel confident to make a knitted trim for the mouth and teeth. So while they’re not a project for beginners, they’ll be well within the reach of intermediate
knitters, and well worth the effort.

YARN AND MATERIALS
Cascade 220 (100% wool), 218yd (200m) per 3½ oz (100g) ball of worsted (Aran) yarn
1(2) ball(s) in Grey 8509 (A)
Small amount of light worsted (DK) yarn in white (B)
4 x 3/8 in (10mm) shiny black shank buttons

NEEDLES AND EQUIPMENT
Pair of US6 (4mm) knitting needles
Set of 4 US6 (4mm) double-pointed knitting needles
US G-6 (4mm) crochet hook or one of similar size
Stitch holder
Yarn sewing needle
Large-eyed embroidery needle

SIZE
To fit a small (medium) teen or adult
Actual measurements: approx. 7¼ in/18.5cm
(8½ in/22cm) from toe to heel (unstretched)

GAUGE (TENSION)
22 sts and 28 rows to 4in (10cm) square over stockinette (stocking) stitch on US6 (4mm) needles

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You Will Need (10 things)

  • YARN AND MATERIALS

  • Cascade 220 (100% wool), 218yd (200m) per 3½ oz (100g) ball of worsted (Aran) Yarn 1(2) ball(s) in Grey 8509 (A) Small amount of light worsted (DK) yarn in white (B)
  • 4 x 3/8 in (10mm) shiny black Shank Buttons

  • NEEDLES AND EQUIPMENT

  • Pair of US6 (4mm) Knitting Needles
  • Set of 4 US6 (4mm) Double Pointed Knitting Needles
  • US G-6 (4mm) Crochet Hook or one of similar size
  • Stitch Holder
  • Yarn Sewing Needle
  • Large-eyed Embroidery Needle

Steps (8 steps, 240 minutes)

  1. 1

    Nose
    (Make 4)
    Using standard US6 (4mm) needles, cast on 2 sts in A.
    Row 1: [Inc] twice. (4 sts)
    Row 2: Purl.
    Row 3: K1, m1, k to last st, m1, k1. (6 sts)
    Row 4: Purl.
    Rep rows 3–4, 9(10) times more. (24/26 sts)
    Break yarn.

    With RS of one nose piece facing, slip first 12(13) sts onto one of the dpns needles. With another of the needles and A, k next st and put marker on st to mark beginning of round then k rem 11(12) sts. With same needle and RS of second nose piece facing, k4(5) sts; with second needle, k16; with third needle k rem 4(5) sts from second nose piece and then k the slipped 12(13) sts. (48/52 sts)
    Knit 30(34) rounds.

  2. 2

    HEEL
    Next row: K12(13), turn.
    Next row: P24(26), turn.
    Work rem of heel on 24(26) sts just worked, leaving rem 24(26) sts for instep on stitch holder or spare needle.
    Next row: Sl1 pwise, k to end.
    Next row: Sl1 pwise, p to end.
    Rep last 2 rows 8 times more.
    Next row: K14(15), ssk, k1, turn. (23/25 sts)
    Next row: Sl1 pwise, p5, p2tog, p1, turn. (22/24 sts)
    Next row: Sl1 pwise, k to 1 st before gap, ssk, k1, turn.
    (21/23 sts)
    Next row: Sl1 pwise, p to 1 st before gap, p1, turn.
    (20/22 sts)
    Rep last 2 rows 2(3) times more. (16 sts)
    Next row: Sl1 pwise, k to last 2 sts, ssk, turn. (15 sts)
    Next row: Sl1 pwise, p to last 2 sts, p2tog. (14 sts)

  3. 3

    HEEL GUSSET
    On needle 1: K all heel sts and pick up and knit 12 sts up side of heel flap.
    On needle 2: K all 24(26) instep sts.
    On needle 3: Pick up and knit 12 sts up side of heel flap and k7 sts across heel. (62/64 sts)
    Put marker on next st to mark beg of round.
    Next round: On needle 1, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1; on needle 2, k across all sts; on needle 3, k1, ssk, k to end.
    (60/62 sts)
    Next round: Knit.
    Rep last 2 rounds 6 times more. (48/50 sts)
    Next round: On needle 1, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1; on needle 2, k2tog, k to last 2 sts, ssk; on needle 3, k1, ssk, k to end. (44/46 sts)

  4. 4

    FOOT
    Knit 16(22) rounds.

  5. 5

    TOE
    Round 1: On needle 1, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1; on needle 2, k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1; on needle 3, k1, ssk, k to end. (40/42 sts)
    Round 2: Knit.
    Rep rounds 1–2, once more. (36/38 sts)
    Next round: On needle 1, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1; on needle 2, k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1; on needle 3, k1, ssk, k to end. (32/34 sts)
    Rep last round, 6(7) times more. (8/6 sts)
    Break yarn, thread through rem sts, and secure.

  6. 6

    Fin
    (Make 4)
    Using standard US6 (4mm) needles, cast on 12 sts in A.
    Row 1: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. (10 sts)
    Row 2: Purl.
    Rep rows 1–2 twice more. (6 sts)
    Row 7: Ssk, k2, k2tog. (4 sts)
    Row 8: P2tog, p2tog tbl. (2 sts)
    Row 9: K2tog. (1 st)

    Fasten off.

  7. 7

    Teeth
    (Make 4)
    Using standard US6 (4mm) needles, cast on 3 sts in B.
    [Bind/cast off 2 sts, slip rem st from RH to LH needle, cast on 2 sts] 16 times.
    Bind (cast) off.

  8. 8

    To make up
    Using crochet hook and A, work a crochet edging around mouth opening at top of sock. Sew
    teeth in place just inside mouth opening.
    Using A, work 3 short curved rows of chain stitch for the gills, using the photograph as a guide.
    Sew black buttons for eyes in position.
    Seam two fin pieces together along sides then stitch in place about halfway up sock, using the photograph as a guide.
    Weave in all loose ends.