A delightful sock featuring waves and fish in the colorwork design!

Pattern Details
I wrote this pattern with the hopes that an adventurous beginner would find it detailed enough to work from, but that an experienced knitter might also find elements intriguing.

It is worked from the top down on 9” circulars, though you could definitely utilize your preferred method of sock knitting (DPNs, Magic Loop, etc) instead. The colorwork begins with a wave motif that moves into a trout and arrow motif moving towards the ankle. I recommend sizing up to a US 1.5 or 2.5mm during the colorwork to help from getting the tension too tight. Testers said that the colorwork went by too fast…which I take as a good sign!

The heel flap is in a 2-color eye of partridge pattern, but I have a 1-color option written for those who want something a little less intense. The 2-color option creates an especially dense fabric, perfect for those who might wear these socks in wading boots or those who may find that their heel wears out especially quickly in other knitted socks.

The gusset is a typical heel flap gusset, but I included a slip stitch detail to give it a little extra flair. If you find yourself sensitive to irregular stitching along this portion of your foot, you can always knit into the stitch instead of slipping it!

Finally, the toe portion also comes with two options! One option includes revisiting the 2-color eye of partridge pattern so that the toe matches the heel flap. Not only is this a cute way to tie together the checkerboard pattern, but it reinforces the toe for extra durability and warmth. Perfect for cold mornings on the river! The second option is a typical toe pattern and is easily manageable. Both options close with kitchener stitch.

I am so grateful to Nicole from Mountain Colors Yarn. She has shown up, time and again, with enthusiasm and support for my patterns. She has kits for the Downstream Socks online. If you purchase a kit from her, it comes with a printed copy of the pattern already included. The colorways are named after rivers that are dear to me. Each combination shows off colors that I associate with the river and want to share.

Thank you for supporting this pattern. Please tag me in your WIPs and FOs! It brings me immeasurable amounts of joy to see my designs in the wild.

Instagram: and.she.makes
BlueSky: andshemakes.bsky.social
#DownstreamSocks

Yarn Detail
Yarn: Mountain Colors ‘Tangofoot’ or other fingering weight yarn
Size A = MC - 45g or 207 yds // CC - 10g or 46 yds
Size B = MC - 50g or 230 yds // CC - 10g or 46 yds
Size C = MC - 60g or 276 yds // CC - 15g or 69 yds
Size D = MC - 80g or 368 yds // CC - 22g or 98 yds (this fit a size US12 Men’s Shoe)

Donations Detail
From the release date until May 1st, 2025, 20% of the earnings from sales of this pattern on Ravelry will be donated to the Gallatin River Task Force. On May 2nd, I will donate the earnings during Give Big Gallatin Valley, in the hopes that the donations will be matched and have an even greater impact.

More information
To learn about the book and the river that inspired this pattern, check out my Substack for more information.