free pattern: escalator socks!

Man socks! These socks are large enough to fit most men, but the stretchy pattern means they comfortably fit my feet, too. To modify for smaller womens' feet, I would recommend removing one 8-stitch repeat and making the heel flap on 50% of the stitches. To make these socks with an 8-inch cuff and 10-inch foot, I used nearly all of the 400 meter skein. If you wish to make your socks larger, plan accordingly.

Materials:
1 skein Cascade Yarns Heritage Paints (400 meters per 100 g)
2.25 mm (US 1) dpns or circular(s) for preferred sock method. (I used two short circulars)
yarn needle for grafting
stitch markers

Rib and Welt Diagonals Stitch Pattern: (by Barbara Walker, adapted by Sarah Fama)
Round 1: *k1, p1, k1, p5, repeat from * to end.
Round 2 and all even-numbered rounds: repeat previous round.
Round 3: k1, p1, *k5, p1, k1, p1, repeat from *, ending k5, p1
Round 5: k1, *p5, k1, p1, k1, repeat from *, ending p5, k1, p1.
Round 7: *k5, p1, k1, p1, repeat from * to end.
Round 9: p4, *k1, p1, k1, p5, repeat from *, ending k1, p1, k1, p1.
Round 11: k3, *p1, k1, p1, k5, repeat from *, ending p1, k1, p1, k2
Round 13: p2, *k1, p1, k1, p5, repeat from *, ending k1, p1, k1, p3.
Round 15: k1, *p1, k1, p1, k5, repeat from *, ending p1, k1, p1, k4.
Round 16: repeat previous round as for round 2

Directions:

Leg:
Cast on 72 sts by the long-tailed method, join in a round and work in K1 P1 ribbing for 5 cm (2 in).
Establish Rib and Welt Diagonals pattern beginning with round 1.
Continue in pattern until work reaches approximately 20 cm (8 inches) from CO edge, ending with round 16 of pattern. This will ensure that the heel flap flows from the sitch pattern.

Heel Flap:
Arrange work so that there are 32 sts for heel flap.
Row 1: slip 1, *(p1, k1) to end, ending with p1.
Repeat this row until heel flap reaches 6 cm (2.5 inches) or desired length, ending with a WS row.

Turn heel:
Row 1: K 18, K2 tog, K 1, turn.
Row 2: Slip 1, P 5, P 2tog, p 1, turn.
Row 3: Slip 1, K to one st before gap created (by turning) on previous row, K 2 tog, K 1, turn.
Row 4: Slip 1, P to one st before gap created (by turning) on previous row, P 2 tog, P 1, turn.
Continue in this manner until all sts are consumed; if necessary, K across to left side of heel.

Gusset:
Pick up and knit one stitch for each slipped stitch along the first side of the heel flap, plus one in the gusset corner to prevent gapping. Twist this stitch to close the hole.
Knit in pattern across the instep, beginning with round 1 of Rib and Welt Diagonal pattern.
Pick up one stitch in the second gusset corner and knit twisted. Pick up and knit one stitch for each slipped stitch along the second side of the heel flap

Gusset Decreases:
Rearrange sts so that the instep (patterned section) is on one needle (or section of magic loop). Depending on your sock-making method, the remaining sts should be divided on two dpns meeting at the middle of the heel, on the other circular needle, or the other half of the magic loop. (phew!)
Knit to center of heel section. This will now be considered the beginning of the round and you may wish to use a stitch marker to indicate it.

Be careful, it's easy to start working the zigzags in the other direction. Keep the sole in st st.

Round 1: Knit to three stitches before the instep section. K 2tog, K1. Knit instep section in pattern as established. K 1, ssk. K to end of round.
Round 2: Knit all sts on the sole, work all instep sts in pattern as established.
Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until 72 sts or desired number of sts remain.

Foot:
Continue working instep in pattern as established, keeping sole in st st.
Work in this manner until foot measures 20 cm (8 inches) from back of heel or 2 inches less than desired length.

Toe:
sole: K to 3 sts before end of first needle, ssk, K1.
Instep: K 1, K2 tog, K to 3 sts before end of needle, ssk, K1.
sole: K2, K2 tog, K to end of needle/round. 4 sts decreased.
K 1 round plain.
Continue alternating decrease rounds and plain rounds until 24 sts total remain.
If using dpns, use the 3rd needle to K to end of 1st needle. All sts will be on 2 needles.
If using magic loop or two circulars, K to end of needle.
Graft toe closed.
Sew in all ends.

Give them to some man you love!