Worked toe up, with a fun lace attached edging.

Ah, spring! That transitional time when you’ve given up your boots, but aren’t yet ready to start wearing sandals. Calf-length wool socks look and feel too wintry, but it’s not yet warm enough to go entirely without. And my sneakers rub if I wear them on my bare feet.

How about a cotton sock? Pure cotton isn’t great for handknit socks, as it lacks stretch and can be hard to work with, and doesn’t necessarily feel very good on your feet. In addition, because cotton absorbs rather than wicks moisture, pure cotton socks – especially when worn with sneakers – can get, shall we say, a bit fragrant.

The Feel Good Sock Yarn company offers an excellent solution. Their Sliver Spun sock yarn is a cotton and elastic blend, easier to work with and holds its shape better, and a thread of sterling silver – yes, really! – that has antibacterial, and therefore anti-smell, properties.

This design is worked toe up, and features a fun and springy lace edging on the fold-over cuff. Because I don’t want full-length socks on a warm spring day in my sneakers. I think they look rather kicky and fun with a skirt. (The fashionistas are wearing socks with sandals too; this design would be ideal for that, too, if that’s your thing!)

I’ve used my current favourite cast-on method, the Chinese Waitress. It’s stretchy and gorgeous but doesn’t require a long tail. It’s explained in Cap Sease’s excellent book ‘Cast On, Bind Off: 211 Ways to Begin and End Your Knitting’, and derives its name from how it was discovered: a friend of Cap was taught the method by a waitress in a restaurant in China.