Back in May 2012, I started work on a new sock pattern, the same day that my dear pet rat, Pollux, was put to sleep. I named the pattern in his honour.

Then I realised that his surviving brother might be jealous, so I set about looking for the perfect pattern to represent Castor’s rather unique personality. He can be erratic, and unpredictable, often going off in unexpected directions – just like this sock!

Sadly Castor died in February 2013, so the time became right to launch his pattern too.

The squares of this pattern are all equal in size, but because of the nature of the different stitches used, some draw in, and some splay out, so the overall effect is one of undulating lines along the length of the sock.

Instructions are written out for sizes S (M, L). There are different sets of charts for each size, so be careful to use the correct chart for the size of sock that you are making. Alternative charts are also provided so that if you choose, you can make a pair of socks that are symmetrical rather than identical, or just make the same sock twice for a matched pair.

Photos show colourway Poprocks, which I felt was perfect for this high-energy, quirky design. It would work just as well, however, in more muted tones, if that is more your style. Stay away from multi-coloured yarns though, as you’ll be doing a lot of work on the texture, and you wouldn’t want all that hard work to go to waste!