The chart for the Brocade Socks was loosely inspired by a pattern called Elbistan Stitch, from Betsy Harrel’s 1981 Anatolian Knitting Designs: Sivas Stocking Patterns Collected in an Istanbul Shantytown. In addition to the distinctive colorwork, the socks feature a cuff in corrugated ribbing and a sturdy heel flap worked with the yarn held double stranded.

Stranded socks are less stretchy than non-stranded socks, and as such they should be made as close to the actual size of the wearer’s foot as possible. The pattern includes directions for two sizes (achieved by adjusting gauge and weight of yarn) with notes on customization.

Skills:
twisted German cast-on, knitting stranded colorwork in the round from a chart, basic sock techniques, picking up stitches, grafting

Finished Sizes:
S/M (M/L)
cuff and leg circumference: 8.5”(9”)
foot circumference: 7.5”(8”)
foot length: 8”(8.5”)
shown in size S/M, pink/brown; M/L, cream/orange

Yarn:
S/M version in pink/brown:
MC: 1 skein North Loop Yarn Silky Merino Sock Yarn in Cotton Candy
CC: 1 skein North Loop Yarn Merino Sock Yarn in Brown Black (This line has been discontinued but the Silky Merino Sock is obviously equally suitable for this pattern.)

M/L version in cream/orange:
MC: 1 skein Koigu Premium Merino (KPM) in 0000
CC: 1 skein Brooklyn Handspun Soft Spun Plus in Lil Pumpkin

a note on yarn choice: For the M/L socks, use heavier sock yarns that are almost sport weight. For the S/M socks, use more lightweight sock yarns.

Needles:
S/M: US 2 (2.75 mm) circular needle, 32” long or 1 set US 2 (2.75 mm) DPNs

M/L: US 3 (3.25 mm) circular needle, 32” long or 1 set US 3 (3.25 mm) DPNs

Notions:
tapestry needle, 1 stitch marker

Gauge:
S/M (M/L)
7.5sts/8rnds (7sts/8.5rnds) per inch in chart A pattern in the round

Notes:
This pattern is written for a knitter who is already familiar with sock techniques and stranded colorwork.

In both samples I held the CC as the dominant yarn throughout. For most knitters who work stranded colorwork holding one color in each hand, the dominant color will be the one held in the left hand such that the floats run underneath those of the MC.

I prefer to knit socks on a single circular needle using the magic loop technique and although you may use your favorite technique for working in the round the pattern is written with the magic loop in mind and thus may not be specifically tailored to the use of double pointed needles.

The different sizes are made by slight changes in weight of yarn and gauge, and thus the same numbers and charts are used for both sizes.

In order to follow the pattern exactly as written and make socks that are the correct length you must match both stitch and row gauge. If you cannot get both stitch and row gauge with the same size needles you may match stitch gauge, as the charts are easier to adjust for length/height than they are for width/circumference. Tips for customization are included with the pattern.