What are the bedrock socks? They are my basic sock pattern, pure and simple. A sock pattern taken back to the bones to teach you how to make a pair of socks using the afterthought heel method.

But why are they striped? I personally think that putting an afterthought heel into a striped sock is far easier than putting one into a single-coloured sock, as the stripes allow you to clearly visualise where the heel will go. They also add interest; knitting those CC rounds keep me going, and they have a very nifty job when it comes to inserting that heel – they are a ready to go guide for where you will be picking up stitches, making everything much clearer to see. High contrast between your MC and CC yarns is advisable, but nothing too dark for your CC, you need to be able to see the stitches.

I’ve been wanting to write this pattern for a while, to show you that this method of inserting a heel into your sock really isn’t as scary as it sounds – yes, cutting your work does sound utterly terrifying, but it’s extremely satisfying.

Pattern includes full written instructions for my jogless stripe method, an afterthought heel (including my method on how to avoid those pesky gusset gaps holes) and grafting toes and heels closed using Kitchener stitch.

Construction
Knit top down from cuff to toe, in two colours, using a jogless stripe knitting technique, with a wedge toe and an afterthought heel, using Kitchener stitch to close the heel and toe.

Sizes
Available in 4 sizes:
Adult Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large

Measurements
Circumference: Approx. – 18, 19, 21, 24 cm / 7, 7.5, 8.25, 9.5 inches.

Measurements within the pattern are given in both metric and imperial.

Sizing
To determine the most appropriate sock size to knit, measure the circumference of your foot at the widest part. It is always best to have 1-3cm negative ease when knitting socks to ensure a close fit. My foot circumference is 23cm, so I knit the size Adult M. Sizing instructions are given for both average measurements as well as how to get a more accurate/personalised measurement for leg and foot length including the placement of the afterthought heel.

Yarn
4ply / fingering weight sock yarn, in 2 contrasting colours.

Pink sample made using Biffsugar Yarns 75/25 Superwash Merino, Nylon Fingering weight (MC) and Hedgehog fibres 90/10 sock minis (CC).
Green and blue samples made using Filcolana Arwette Classic and The Wool Kitchen sock minis.

Yardage
Total yardage approx. - 201, 233, 291, 336 m / 220, 255, 318, 368 yds.
MC approx. - 137, 159, 198, 229 m / 150, 174, 216, 250 yds / 33, 38, 47, 54 g.
CC approx. - 64, 75, 93, 108 m / 70, 82, 102, 118 yds / 17, 19, 24, 27 g.
Yardages/weights work out to approximately 2:1 (MC:CC).

If you require a longer sock than the given measurements, please allow for this in your yardage requirements.

Needles
2.25mm 23cm/9inch and 2.25mm 100cm/40inch circular needles (or needles to obtain gauge).

Gauge
34sts x 48 rounds = 10x10cm / 4x4 inches in charted stockinette stitch in the round, blocked.

Notions
2 ring and 2 locking stitch markers, scissors, tapestry needle

Skills Used
Cast on, ribbing, jogless stripe method, carrying yarn, ssk/k2tog decreasing, afterthought heel, kitchener stitch (full written instructions given), picking up stitches.

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Find me on Instagram @houseofbuddleia / @yarn_moomin
Check out the hashtag #bedrocksocks on instagram where you can see all the hard work put in by my lovely group of test knitters.