Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility introduce us to the Dashwood sisters trio: Elinor, Marianne, and the youngest, Margaret. Poor Margaret is forever shunted off to the sidelines whenever the elder sisters talk of life, suitors, marriage, and other important grown-up matters. Margaret’s intrepid spirit is strong, in spite of the best efforts to shield her, running the moors by day; burnishing her needlework skills by candlelight. She openly displays her pleasure or disapproval in an exasperatingly frank manner, much to the chagrin of her more socially guarded sisters.

These toe-up socks are designed for the rest of us who are often left behind in the sock knitting world: Those of us who have large ankles and calves. A 60, 64 or 72 stitch sock just doesn’t cut it, does it? Here’s a sock for us, the Margaret Dashwoods of sockdom. True to the Regency era’s courteous sensibilities, charts for more slender feet and legs are also included. It would be rude not to include them, don’t you think?

These could also be made with sportweight yarn in one of the smaller configurations with larger needles.