About this Design
The seasons are turning where I live and Spring has sprung. Buds are bursting everywhere you look, and this morning I noticed that my peony roses were looking spectacular. Although not really a proper rose, my peony roses still look gorgeous and they smell incredibly sweet … hence the inspiration for naming this design.

As the season turns, the air is softer and warmer during the day but it is still a little bit chilly in the evenings and early morning. In fact, this is the perfect season for some soft and squishy lightweight socks.

I’ve been playing with a stitch pattern recently that reminds me of tightly furled peony rosebuds and this pattern has now grown into a lovely peony rosebud-themed pair of socks. I’ve chosen two lovely floral colours for my socks, but this pattern will work just as well with vibrant or subtle colours. The stitch pattern has a high squishiness factor and the little air pockets created by the stitch pattern will keep your toes super warm.

The socks are knitted on two-needles from the toe-up and use German Short Row heel turns. The stitch pattern is very easy and only two pattern rounds need a little bit of fiddly work—all the other rounds are just knit or purl stitches, with the colour work effect created by slipped stitches. You only ever work one colour at a time.

Size
Please note that the completed dimensions for the foot circumference will be smaller than the actual foot circumference. This is because the pattern includes negative ease to ensure a snug fit. Please select your size based on your actual foot measurements.

Tension
38 stitches x 52 rows over 10 centimetres (4 inches) in stocking (stockinette) stitch, knitted in the round using 2.25 mm (US size 1, UK size 13) needles. A good match for tension (especially stitch gauge) is important for this pattern in order to ensure a good fit. Please move up or down a needle size and swatch one more time if your gauge does not match.

Yarn
199 metres/218 yards of 4-ply/fingering weight sock yarn in two different colours (approximately 50g of each colour). The stitch pattern in these socks will be beautifully showcased if you select colours that contrast nicely with each other.

Needles
A pair of 2.25 mm (US size 1, UK size 13) 61 cm/24 in circular needles. Optional 2.5 mm (US size 1, UK size 12) circular needles for the cuff.

Notions
Tapestry/darning needle.

The Pattern
This pattern includes written and charted instructions as well as links to video tutorials (produced by other people) for most of the techniques used in the design.

Technical Editing by Emily – AdoredKnits (adoredknits@gmail.com).

Questions?
Please send all questions to capitalKNITS@icloud.com.