Recently, I’ve been working on an Architectural Series of Sock designs and having great fun incorporating architectural elements into knitted stitches. With these socks, I extended my quest out to colorwork, as well, in order to translate the feel of the glorious stained glass windows found in Old World gothic cathedrals. I wanted my windows on the socks to mirror the fantastic features of the real thing so I designed a pattern that was BIG on the sock. There had to be lots of beautiful jewel-like colors and it absolutely had to have an arched, gothic top. With some work, I managed to incorporate all of these features one by one. The pattern was easy: a little research on-line and I had plenty of inspiration photos to help me plot out the pattern on my graph paper. The yarn: black and multi-color would do the trick. Here’s the perfect opportunity to use that gorgeous hand-dyed yarn! I found the perfect hand dyed yarn at WN Yarns. I didn’t even have to special order it, when I got it in the mail I felt like it was made for these socks and this design. And then I got to the arched top of the window pattern and that’s where it got a bit tricky. For the arch to stand out, I wanted large sections of black to act as a frame. This design element necessitated relatively fancy techniques to accomplish. I experiment with two. Later, on the instep, I use another, different advanced technique.

All of this adds up to a sock pattern that is definitely meant for advanced knitters. Intermediate knitters can give it a shot as well if you’re comfortable learning new techniques. Newbies: this is not the sock you’re looking for!

For the new technique that I worked out, I write out explicit instructions. For other techniques that are already out there in the big wide knitting world, I describe them only briefly and give online references at the end of the instructions for various tutorials that I have found to be the most helpful.

This top down sock employs the following techniques: Stranded, Intarsia in the Round or Ladder Back Jacquard, Mosaic Knitting, and another technique that combines in the round with back and forth knitting. A standard heel flap is made with side gussets.

Yarn selection suggestions: you will need two colors: solid deep black and a multicolored yarn with few or no white patches. To really simulate stained glass cathedral windows, choose one that is heavy on the blues.

Materials:
Yarn: Black: Baah La Jolla, 100% Superwash Merino in colorway Black Pearl—100 g or 350 yds
Multicolor: WN Yarns Merino Sock Yarn: 80% Superwash Merino/20% Nylon in colorway Soo Manyy Colourrss—30 g or 110 yds
-DPN Needles in size US 1 (2.25 mm) and 1.5 (2.5 mm) OR sizes needed to obtain the gauge. I knit socks on 4 DPNs at a time, I have attempted to generalize my instructions for folks who use other needle set ups. Having said that; I can’t visualize this technique using anything other than DPNs, but you are welcome to give it a shot and are willing to try and wing it. I cannot vouch that it will work, however, as I have only made these on DPNs.

Gauge:
33 ST = 4 inches in stockinette ST using US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
27 rows = 2 inches

Finished sizes: Ladies S/M, L/XL.