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This is the EIGHTH pattern in a year-long journey of knitted sock patterns, twelve in all, a new one each month, beginning January 2018. The patterns are inspired by streets, homes, and places of interest from my little town in Southeastern Connecticut.

Each month a new sock pattern will feature a part of the town and the theme will be repeated in various stitches, colors and techniques. There will be a varied assortment of lace, eyelet, cables, decorative ribs, slip stitches, color work and maybe even some bobbles. Every month will be different, either top down or toe up with various heel techniques, and some months will even feature two separate designs for a fraternal pair. There will also be a descriptive essay sharing my thought process and inspiration: Stonington through the eyes of a knitter!

Water Street, Stonington, Connecticut, is the main road, one-way, into the village. Lined with old captains’ houses dating back to the 1700’s, it’s rich New England fishing-village aura resonates with every quirky sidewalk paver, bursting from tree roots planted decades ago and longer.

About halfway down the street on the right is number 72. Back in the 70’s, my husband was a lobster fisherman and shortly after we began dating he started a wholesale lobster business there. We lived on the second floor above the lobster pound when we were first married. Eventually the business outgrew the space, and after being there for 20 years, the property was sold when the business moved to a larger space.

The current custodian is a non-profit organization called NESS – New England Science and Sailing Foundation – which provides education programs using sailing, marine science and various water sports as teaching platforms. All summer long kids of all ages learn how to sail, beginning in tiny little Opti sailboats that bob and dart in the harbor, continuing the Water Street legacy of living by the shore.

These socks have been appropriately designed with a handpainted yarn with water pooling effects and a little lace border of bobbing sailboats around the ankle. They are knit top down and feature a unique and easy, well-fitting Rudder Heel exclusively designed by Beth Garbo.

A GROUP FORUM IS LIVE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSCRIBERS AND THE DESIGNER.

Stonington Borough is the quintessential New England village, complete with old sea captain placards on centuries-old homes and gossip galore. Filled with seafaring history, fishermen and multi-generations of working-class families, it is a quirky and sought-after seaside village that, as everything, has changed through time - not always to everyone’s agreement.

A train viaduct is the only entrance and egress to this tiny 18th century village, and the feisty dwellers are happy it is so. Here is where you can walk your dog, get your mail, go to church (there are three), stop at the library, the newsstand, the barber, the florist, board your boat and sail to three states within site. No car required. There is a nice inn, a bank, a boatyard, cute boutiques, antiques and tasty restaurants, all of which echo the surrounding sentiment.

With one road in and out, beginning with Alpha Avenue and ending with Omega Street, the flora, fauna, and historical house color combinations of this rough and craggy New England coastline community date back to the 1700’s. Some of these houses are still standing in all their originality for a lost time. Many have been lovingly restored but thanks to a terrific historical society, retain their original character and charm. Planning and zoning battles rival TV reality shows, but it seems to work as the village is strongly hanging on to its original message. Each street boasts some color that identifies it: Wall Street is just that - a rock wall at water’s edge. Water Street follows the coast as the main road in, while Main Street with its magnificent tree-lined sidewalks, guide the motorists out past Church Street, Union Street, the post office, and library.

I hope you come along for the ride!