March 20 2009
I have just been informed that this pattern has been selected for the next KAL in the Obscuriosity group. Very flattering, thank you very much! If you wish to participate, the thread to check out is:
KAL thread

I’ll be watching everyones projects with pleasure!

From the pattern:

I wanted to design socks dressy enough that a man could wear them with a suit but adventurous enough not to look staid and boring. They had to be interesting to knit but not too fussy. When I’d finished I liked them so much that I had to include a woman’s size as well so I could have my own pair.

These socks are designed to be worked in the round from the top down on two circular needles, but you could use a set of double pointed needles or the magic loop method if you prefer. The pattern flows out of the twisted rib cuff and includes ankle decreases for a snug fit. The ribbed cable on either side splits into two smaller cables and continues down the sides of the foot and heel flap. The rest of the heel is knit in sturdy slip stitch rib. A long heel flap ensures room for a high instep and the extra stitches on the top of the foot which accommodate the pattern are decreased just before the toe shaping.
They feature an hourglass cabled twist pattern adapted from Barbara Walker’s First Treasury. If you haven’t tried cabling without a cable needle I’d recommend giving it a whirl as it greatly speeds up the knitting of this pattern. Instructions are included at the end of the pattern, or refer to the many excellent tutorials available online.