• How’s about a little bit of fair isle for round 2 of Sock Madness?

  Traditional ethnic patterns intrigue me and I am always on the lookout for new ones that can be adapted for knitting. I came across this pattern (in a larger stitch count version) thirty years ago in a Dover reprint publication of 17th century Transylvanian needlepoint patterns. I was immediately interested in this particular pattern with its strong diagonal lines plus alternating dark and light triangles. To get the pattern down to a manageable size that was suitable for socks, I had to shrink it down to a 12 stitch repeat that is worked in a standard Fair Isle manner. Since my contrasting yarn color way reminded me of a deeply shaded forest glade and the pattern is a very old one, I have named these socks: Echoes from a Transylvanian Forest.

  This top down sock employs two different Fair Isle patterns. A standard heel flap is made with side gussets. Stitch count is generous to allow for the natural pulling in of a Fair Isle fabric—no need to size up. Since they are knit throughout with 2 strands they are thick and cushy.

Yarn selection suggestions: you will need at least two colors of yarn: a solid black and a brightly contrasting colored yarn (can be either a solid color or multicolored). As an alternative and for a striking different look, multiple contrasting solid colors can also be used in addition to the black, each one used for a single repeat of Pattern 2 (some good stash busting potential!).

Materials:
Yarn: (as shown) Malabrigo Sock, 100% Super wash Merino: 195 Black, 300 yds. or 68 g.
Malabrigo Sock, 100% Super wash Merino: 866 Arco Iris, 180 yds. or 40 g.

Knitters have found this graphed pattern very versatile and adapted it to other garments: mittens and mini socks, to name a few. I’ve added a photo of the pattern I used in a boxy Cardin that I made years ago for another example.