Scuta: the plural form of scutum which means “shield” in Latin.

This design features many shields: the instep resembles the protective scutes of crocodiles and the garter panel in the back resembles an ancient elongated shield used by Roman soldiers (also called a scutum). Knit yourself and others a pair of cozy “armor” with slipped stitches, floats and garter stitches. You can even customize your “shields” by knitting these socks cuff down or toe up, which changes the directions of those scales.

Difficulty Level:
Adventurous beginners familiar with sock knitting, and for intermediate/experts who love repeatable textures

Techniques Used:
• Magic Loop Method (can be adapted for DPNs or 9” circulars)
• Slip stitches
• Increase and decrease
• Catching floats
• (optional) Chart Reading

Toe Up:
• Judy’s Magic Cast-On
• Reverse Strong Heel construction
• Suspended Bind-off

Cuff Down:
• Twisted German Cast On
• Strong Heel construction (no picking up sts!)
• Kitchener’s Stitch

Materials:
• <100 grams of fingering weight yarn (sample used: Darn Yarn MN MCN
Fingering 80/10/10, merino/cashmere/nylon)
• US1/2.25mm 40inch circular knitting needles
• Stitch marker
• Darning needle

Sizes: Women’s S/M, M/L (i.e. 64, 72 sts)