Cyril re-tied his tie for the third time and allowed himself a wry smile. He was not a fussy man, and his hands, strong and slightly calloused by countless hours at his workbench, did not usually tremble. It was all down to that little box in his breast pocket. He patted it, reassuring himself that it was safe and all was well.

All was well. The work at the factory was decent and steady. There was a little house waiting: plain and a little bare for now, true, but he knew that Rita would delight in doing it up herself. That is, if she said yes. Cyril had rehearsed it in his mind a thousand times through all the months of working, planning, and saving. Romance was not his department, usually, but this girl seemed to have the power to make him go a little weak at the knees and soft in the head. Shy smile, bright eyes, an unexpected, impish sense of fun. “What she sees in a fellow like me…” He shook his head and smiled again. This was no time for nerves. He had a question to ask, and tonight was the night.

About the Socks

The Cyril socks are ribbed with a cable twist, based on the central rectangular diamond of the ring. Like our imagined Cyril, they are stalwart and quietly handsome. The pattern contains three sizes, small, medium, and large. These socks are knit top down with an eye of partridge heel flap and a gusset construction. There’s enough detail in the pattern to keep the knitting interesting, but nothing that should be too tricky for a new sock knitter to master. This mellow design would look lovely in almost any yarn: I think tonals and speckles are particularly nice.

Sizes

S (M, L) the sizes are measured on leg and foot circumference as the length of the foot is adjustable

Finished Measurements

Leg length 15cm / 6” from the cuff to the start of the heel

Leg and foot circumference 15cm / 6” (18cm / 7”, 20cm / 8”)

Gauge

36 sts and 48 rows per 4 inches/10 centimetres in stocking stitch

Yarn

You will need approximately 70g (80g,100g) of fingering weight yarn - I used Makers Haven Soft Sock in Vintage Love Story 420m/100g for the sample.

Needles

A set of 2.25mm needles for knitting a small circumference in the round or size needed to obtain gauge.

Notions

Stitch markers - different coloured ones may help

Darning needle to sew in your ends

Cable needle - optional

About the Collection

The idea for the Vintage Love Story collection began with two tiny words engraved on the inside of my antique 1920s engagement ring:

‘Cyril - Rita’

Two lovely, old fashioned names. A simple inscription, hinting at a whole lifetime of romance and devotion. Who were they, and what was their story? We have no way of knowing, but they gave me the inspiration to create this collection. This beautiful ring and its history are a part of my own love story now, and I love to think of the couple who came before and imagine what their lives might have been like. Each of the three sock patterns in the Vintage Love Story Collection contains a little glimpse in to the lives of a fictional Cyril and Rita.

What do socks have to do with diamond rings and romance? Maybe only a knitter would say this, but I think handmade socks are a little bit romantic. They might not be the flashiest item, but they have a beauty all of their own. Like a good relationship they are cosy, warm and comforting. They grow little by little, one stitch at a time. And if they are made of good stuff and minded well, they’ll last a very long time.

The second sock pattern in the collection will be released on the 14th March and the third pattern in the collection to complete the set will be released on the 14th April.

Photography by Deb Hickman