Doing another design for my daughter with twisted stitches and a beautiful yarn from Loret Karman, called ‘gebaar’ (=gesture). Recovering from my chemotherapy I knitted a pair of socks in 2011 I called “Leben und Liab” (Life and Love) based on old Austrian stitch pattern. One of the stitch patterns I used is called ” Brennende Liab” (Burning Love).

My husband and I used to walk a lot in Austria, where I came across their beautiful traditional costumes. Hand-knitted socks are part of those traditional costumes. In Austria those socks are based on twisted stitch patterns that go from mother to daughter and all have their own meaning. A woman knitting socks would put “secret messages” in the socks for her loved ones. The socks mostly have a mixture of 7 of those separate stitch patterns. I used 6 then, mostly because the original socks are knitted with far thinner yarn than I use(d).

In the book “ Twisted-Stitch Knitting; Traditional Patterns & Garments from the Styrian Enns Vally” by Maria Erlbacher a lot of those traditional patterns are described, from tiny and simple to large and very elaborate and difficult. When I had the yarn of Loret in my hands these patterns merged in my head. My dear husband, my son and daughters were so loving and caring while I was lying on my bed, too ill to get up. I think this is one way as how “burning love” can present itself. I’m still so deeply grateful for their continuous care and love so I will knit another sock to testify….

These socks were designed for my daughter with size 42 feet, but the pattern is easily transformed in another size according to your gauge.

Gauge in pattern: 46 st, 40 rows =4”/10 cm