This pattern was easy to read and use. I liked the foot worksheet; knitting maths without the brain-strain. I think this pattern would suite a newbie to stranded work, and as an experienced sock knitter I can tell you I’ll be making a few pairs with yarn left overs! :)

Pattern Testing Notes
Gauge swatch:
2.25mm circular = 7 stitches per inch in stocking stitch
3.00mm circular = 7+ stitches per inch in stranded stitch
Therefore: 72 st sock at ~7 spi = Extra Large size
Using two-handed yarn carriage for the stranded work: CC in left hand and MC in right hand.

Measurements (relaxed sock, pre-blocking): rounds/rows; length each section; cumulative length.
Rib: 15r; 1 3/8” = 3.5cm; 1 3/8” = 3.5cm
Stranded leg: 37r; 4 3/8” = 11cm; 5 3/4” = 14.5cm
Leg stripes: 16r; 1 1/2” = 4cm; 7 1/4” = 18.5cm
Heel flap: 34r; 2” = 5cm; 9 1/4” = 23.55cm
Heel turn: ?; 1 1/4” = 3cm; 1 1/4” = 3cm
Gusset stripes: 18+22+11=51r; 4 3/4” = 12cm; 6” = 15cm
Stranded foot: 18r; 2 1/4” = 5.7cm; 8 1/4” = 20.7cm
Toe: 26r; 2 1/4” = 5.7cm; 10 1/2” = 26.5cm

Silly me: I did the jogless instructions in the stranded leg chart as well as the stripes!

This made one very large sock! Heel-to-toe measurment used/achieved: 10.5” = 26.5cm.
Circumference around toe joint: 10” = 25.5cm
“” around ankle: 10.5” = 26.5cm
“” around base of cuff: 13” = 33cm
All measurements very comfortably loose on my foot.
MC used in one sock: 128.9m/141.0yd
CC used in one sock: 76.7m/83.8yd
Therefore, for one Extra Large pair you will need
MC: approx. 80g or 257.8m/281.9yd; CC: approx. 50g or 153.3m/167.7yd

Personal Notes

• All socks used Ysolda’s Tubular Cast On. I had to get a little creative in the set up row, but it wasn’t too difficult. Therefore the first three rows are basically as mentioned in the video.
• I didn’t bother to twist the two colour strands at every round; this created a small blob of the wrong colour in each stripe visible on the RS. Four rounds is small enough to carry the ‘spare’ strand loosely up the WS.
• I didn’t use the jogless method mentioned. I found an easier one: slip the first stitch of the second row purlwise. Same effect, easier method.
• When picking up the gusset stitches, I knitted into the the front loop for the first set of stitches, and through the back loop for the second set of stitches. This is aesthetic only: both sets of stitches ‘angle down’, rather than one set down and the other up. Yes, I am pedantic ;)

This sock was too loose and too long for my 23cm foot, and DH probably wouldn’t wear pink/aqua socks! This is not a pattern fault: it is due to my gauge and possibly I should downsize my foot length! I will try the second sock using 2.00mm circ for st st and 2.5mm circ for stranded.

Second Sock
Gauge swatch:
2.00mm circular = 8+ stitches per inch in stocking stitch
2.50mm circular = 8+ stitches per inch in stranded stitch
Therefore: 72 st sock at ~8 spi = Large size

To measure my foot length I placed my foot on a tape measure, and subtracted 1/2” from the length. Use this length for the worksheet.

Measurements (relaxed sock, pre-blocking): rounds/rows; length each section; cumulative length.
Rib: 18r; 1 1/2” = 4cm; 1 1/2” = 4cm
Stranded leg: 37r; 3 1/2” = 9cm; 5” = 13cm
Leg stripes: 24r; 2” = 5cm; 7” = 18cm
Heel flap: 34r; 2” = 5cm; 9” = 23cm
Heel turn: ?; 1” = 2.5cm; 1” = 2.5cm
Gusset stripes: 21+32+12=65r; 5” = 13cm; 6” = 15.5cm
Stranded foot: 18r; 1 3/4” = 4.5cm; 7 3/4” = 20cm
Toe: 26r; 2” = 5cm; 9 3/4” = 25cm

Heel-to-toe measurment used: 10” = 25.5cm
“”measurement achieved: 9 3/4” = 25cm (happy with this)
Circumference around toe joint: 9 1/2 = 24cm
“” around ankle: 10” = 25.5cm
“” around base of cuff: 12 1/4” = 31cm
All measurements comfortable.
MC used in one sock: 124.4m/136.1yd
CC used in one sock: 74.3m/81.2yd
Therefore, for one Large pair you will need
MC: approx. 75g or 248.8m/272.1yd; CC: approx. 45g or 148.6m/162.5yd

The first sock will be frogged and re-knit in the Large size so that I have a wearable matching pair!

26/2/14: I forgot that these need to be finished by the end of Feb ‘14! Have done the cuff to the gusset stitches pickup of the second sock so far…

27/2/14: 3/4 of the way through the stranded foot chart…

28/2/14: Finished in the nick (or should that be sock?!) of time! The second sock is slightly longer than the first; I think that my gauge has loosened.