Affinity (noun): a similarity of characteristics suggesting a relationship, especially a resemblance in structure.

Or, if you will permit some cheesiness, Af-FIN-ity: pertaining to the likeness of a shark!

The Affinity Socks were designed in collaboration with Knitty Natty for Sock Week 2023, and these socks are a real ankle-biter! They feature a simple mosaic, or slip-stitch, colorwork pattern on the ankle of the sock, designed to resemble either the fin, or even the teeth, of a shark. Grab your favorite contrasting yarns and take a bite out of this pattern!

Required Materials
Yarn: Fingering Weight Yarn (any fingering weight yarn, at any price point, can be substituted so long as gauge is met). Pattern calls for a main color (MC) and contrast color (CC) of fingering weight yarn. The yardage / weight of yarn seen below could vary for each color depending upon how much the CC is used throughout the socks. For the yardage shown, the CC was used for the cuff, mosaic colorwork, heel flap, heel turn, and the toe.

Sample Yarn:
Main Color: madelinetosh Twist Light (185 yd. / 50 g) – Colorway: Oeste
Contrast Color: madelinetosh Twist Light (92 yd. / 25 g) – Colorway: Deep

Needles: Size US 1 (2.25mm) and US 1.5 (2.5mm) (US 1.5 needle is optional -- see note about mosaic colorwork below).
Notions: 2 contrasting stitch markers and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends
Gauge: Approximately 8 stitches per inch in stockinette
Sizes: Socks are sized in three sizes to fit an adult foot: small, medium, or large

Skills Required: Knitting, purling, slip-stitch mosaic colorwork, top-down sock knitting, heel-flap & gusset, picking up stitches, increases, decreases, Kitchener stitch

Knitting a Mosaic Stitch Motif:
Mosaic knitting is a great alternative to stranded colorwork, where you’re managing two or more strands of yarn in a row, because, with mosaic colorwork, you only work with one yarn at a time in a given row. This is achieved by slipping stitches in one color while knitting your stitches in the other color. Working a mosaic pattern is comparable to knitting stripes. In this pattern, you will work with one color for two rows, knitting all of the stitches that will be in the working color and then slipping the stitches that will remain in the non-working color. After those two rows, you will alternate which color is the working yarn but continue knitting all stitches of the working yarn and slipping the stitches that will remain in the new non-working color (according to the pattern). When slipping stitches, be sure to carry the working yarn loosely behind them to ensure that the fabric has room to stretch over your foot and not be too tight. Alternatively, you can use a larger needle (US 1.5 - 2.5mm) for the mosaic colorwork to ensure loose enough stitches.