HEEL: Knit 12 (5 to 7 yrs K 14 . . . 8 to 10 yrs K 16). Place remaining 36 sts on st-holder (5 to 7 yrs 40 sts . . . 8 to 10 yrs 44 sts). Work back and forth on the remaining heel sts for 14 rows (5 to 7 yrs 18 rows . . . 8 to 10 yrs 22 rows) ending with a purl row. Turn this half of heel as follows:
Row 1—K 1, K 2 tog., K 1; turn; slip 1, P 2; turn.
Row 3—K 2, K 2 tog., K 1; turn; slip 1, P 3; turn.
Row 5—K 3, K 2 tog., K 1; turn; slip 1, P 4; turn.
Continue working as given above until all sts are worked; there will be 7 sts remaining for size 2 to 4 yrs (8 sts for size 5 to 7 yrs . . . 9 sts for size 8 to 10 yrs.) ending with a knit row. Pick up and knit 8 sts on side of heel (5 to 7 yrs 10 sts . . . 8 to 10 yrs 12 sts). Place the sts from st-holder to left hand Needle and work across the 24 instep sts (5 to 7 yrs 26 sts . . . 8 to 10 yrs 28 sts). Place the 39 sts just worked on st-holder (5 to 7 yrs 44 sts . . . 8 to 10 yrs 49 sts).
Work even in stockinette st on the remaining heel sts for 15 rows (5 to 7 yrs 19 rows . . . 8 to 10 yrs 23 rows), ending with a knit row. Turn this half of heel as follows:
Row 1—P 1, P 2 tog., P 1; turn; slip 1, K 2; turn.
Row 3—P 2, P 2 tog., P 1; turn; slip 1, K 3; turn.
Row 5—P 3, P 2 tog., P 1; turn; slip 1, K 4; turn.
Continue working as given above until all sts are worked; there will be 7 sts remaining for size 2 to 4 yrs (8 sts for size 5 to 7 yrs . . . 9 sts for size 8 to 10 yrs) ending with a purl row. Pick up and purl 8 sts on side of heel (5 to 7 yrs 10 sts . . . 8 to 10 yrs 12 sts). Place the sts from st-holder to left hand Needle and purl across row (54 sts for size 2 to 4 yrs . . . 62 sts for 5 to 7 yrs . . . 70 sts for 8 to 10 yrs).
INSTEP SHAPING: For size 2 to 4 yrs:
Row 1—K 13, K 2 tog., K 24, slip 1, K 1, PSSO, K 13.
Row 2—and all even rows purl.
Row 3—K 12, k 2 tog., K 24, slip 1, K 1, PSSO, K 12.
Row 5—K 11, K 2 tog., K 24, slip 1, K 1, PSSO, K 11.
Continue decreasing as given above until 46 sts remain.
For size 5 to 7 years: Row 1—K 16, K 2 tog., K 26, slip 1, K 1, PSSO, K 16. Continue decreasing as given for size 2 to 4 until 58 sts remain. Size 8 to 10 yrs: Row 1—K 19, K 2 tog., K 28, slip 1, K 1, PSSO, K 19. Continue decreasing as given for size 2 to 4 until 58 sts remain. Work back and forth in stockinette st, until foot measures 1 1/2 in. less than desired length to toe for size 2 to 7 yrs (1 3/4 in. for size 8 to 10), ending with a purl row. Decrease for toe as follows: Size 2 to 4 yrs: Row 1—K 9, K 2 tog., K 2, slip 1, K 1, PSSO, K 16, K 2 tog., K 2, slip 1, K 1, PSSO, K 9.
Row 2—and all even rows purl.
Row 3—K 8, K 2 tog., K 2, slip 1, K 1, PSSO, K 14, K 2 tog., K 2, slip 1, K 1, PSSO, K 8.
Row 5—K 7, K 2 tog., K 2, slip 1, K 1, PSSO, K 12, K 2 tog., K 2, slip 1, K 1, PSSO, K 7.
Continue decreasing as given above until 18 sts remain.
For size 5 to 7 years: Row 1—K 10, K 2 tog., K 2, slip 1, K 1, PSSO, K 20, K 2 tog., K 2, slip 1, K 1, PSSO, K 10.
For size 8 to 10 yrs: Row 1—K 12, K 2 tog., K 2, slip 1, K 1, PSSO, K 22, K 2 tog., K 2, slip 1, K 1, PSSO, K 12.
Continue decreasing as given above until 20 sts remain for size 5 to 7 yrs . . . 22 sts for size 8 to 10 yrs.
Weave tip of sock tog. Sew sole and side seam. Work other sock to correspond.