This pattern (along with most of my earlier work) was retired in the summer of 2022. However, it may be available for a few days once or twice a year. Read on for details!

In the summer of 2022, I realized that maintaining a back catalog of hundreds of patterns was kind of overwhelming. I couldn’t do it and still release new things. So I took my old patterns down so I could keep doing new work.

Since then, a handful of my favorites have come back, and lovely new things have come out. But the vast majority of the old patterns are retired and will no longer be generally available.

However, enough folks have asked about some old favorites that I’m planning to make many of the retired patterns available for a few days once or twice a year (most likely in late spring and then again in the fall around Thanksgiving).

• If you see the buy buttons on this page, you’ve caught it on one of the days it’s available, and you’re welcome to grab it!
• If you don’t see the buy buttons on this page, then it’s not currently available.
• If you want to hear when the retired patterns will be available, subscribe to the mailing list or patreon, or keep an eye on my instagram.

Phaeodaria noun marine ameoboid protists with complex mineral skeletons

You know how sometimes I come along and say ‘oh it’s easier than it looks, you’ll have it memorized in no time’? Well that’s totally not the case for these socks. That leg is one big chart with a lovely, intricate, twirly, swirly extravaganza of tiny twisted cables (inspired by the beautiful illustrations of this tiny little organism found in Ernst Haeckel’s 1904 book, Kunstformen der Natur). I won’t lie to you, you will totally need to pay a bit of attention for that part (it’s worth it though).

But I’m not totally heartless. By the time you get to the foot, I know you probably want a bit of a break. The pattern on the foot is every bit as lovely, but much more relaxing. This part you really will have memorized in no time.

The combination makes for a really lovely sock. Besides, don’t you have enough plain vanilla socks already? You’re up for the challenge!

The pattern comes in three sizes (66, 72, and 76 stitch cast on) to fit most anyone. And of course you should feel free to adjust your gauge a bit to fine tune the fit of the sock. Just be sure that you’re working at a gauge that gives you a sturdy sock fabric with your chosen yarn. I recommend working at something around 7, 8, or 9 stitches per inch, and I’ve included a table to help you figure out what gauge you’ll want to use for the size you need.

These are perfect for you if:

• You love twisted stitches and cables
• You’re looking for something a bit more engaging than your basic vanilla sock

They’re not for you if:

• You don’t like charts (the pattern uses charts)
• You hate swatching (you need to swatch to check your needle size)