Sometimes we all need a little help from our friends.

These socks were inspired by a very good friend of mine, who learned this past March that a CT scan, which was done to find why a torn muscle wasn’t healing, led to the discovery of her stage 4 bladder cancer. Facing a rather poor prognosis, my friend has naturally found herself relying heavily on her family and friends for support and we have all been doing what we can to help her get through her devastating diagnosis and chemo treatments. This pattern represents one part of my own way of showing support for my friend.

The twisted stitches and an easy to memorize lace pattern in this cuff down pattern symbolize how we unite together to offer support to our friends in their time of need. The lacy portion of the design represents the times when we are in need of support as well as our openness to receive. But at the center of each of these lacy columns is a solid core which serves to remind us that we still have our own inner strength that can get us through just about anything life might throw our way. The twisted stitch columns represent the strength we give to others in need. That little bit of support that helps us get by during those difficult times, with a little help from our friends.

Materials

• Heritage Paints by Cascade Yarns, Fingering / 4 ply; 75% Merino, 25% Nylon; 437 yards / 100 grams or other fingering weight sock yarn.

• Needle: U.S. Size 1 (2.25 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge for preferred sock knitting method (5 double-pointed needles or one or two circular needles.)

• Stitch markers

• Tapestry needle

Gauge: 8 stitches per inch on U.S. size 1 needles

Sizing: Medium (large) has a leg circumference of approximately 8” (9 ½”) moderately stretched. Foot length is adjusted by the number of design repeats desired.

Thank you for helping me to support my friend Betty and others who face a diagnosis of bladder cancer through the work of the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network