The Fade Out Socks are inspired by the joy of mixing sock yarn leftovers in a new and interesting way! These socks begin with a fade sequence travelling up from the heel of the sock, then they have divergent fade sequences going up the leg and down the foot. Watch these socks transform as you knit them from just a few stitches into something truly unique and beautiful!

Do you like this kind of unconventional construction? Check out the Fade Out Mitts!

Pattern Description

These socks are worked outwards from a reinforced heel. Although they are constructed unconventionally, they are surprisingly easy to make. They are perfect for using mini-skeins or leftovers and letting your creativity run wild. No matter what fade you choose, these socks will be truly unlike anything else in your sock drawer!

This pattern requires the knitter to be able to knit a small circumference in the round (the pattern is written in a method-neutral manner to suit your preferred technique for socks). There are links to video tutorials for many required techniques, such as German short rows, appropriate cast ons/bind offs, and Kitchener stitch. This pattern has no charts and is easily accessible to an intermediate knitter who is just getting started knitting socks.

Yarn Requirements and Sizing

These socks are completely adjustable both in foot length and leg height. They are available in three standard adult sock widths (56, 64, and 72 st). If you are not sure which size to make, I recommend sizing down and/or using a smaller needle than usual — the fit on the socks works best with significant negative ease. Some guidance for changing the height of the gussets is provided in the pattern.

To set up your fade for these socks, you will need to choose a central colour that works with three other colours that “branch off” from it. You will need approximately 10g of each “branch” colour per sock (so, 20g of each colour for your socks to match), and 10-15g of the central colour per sock (so, 20-30g for your socks to match).

These socks are rated 3/5 — Intermediate — on my sock pattern difficulty scale. This is because they are constructed unconventionally but are otherwise vanilla with no patterning.

This pattern is available on the knitCompanion app! You can get a version prepared specifically for kC compatibility here. #kcdesign