Gansey is the name given to the hand knitted sweaters traditionally worn by fishermen of the 19th and 20th centuries that featured intricate, often geographically unique stitch patterns. They were usually seamless and knitted in tight spun wool on small needles to produce a sturdy, weather resistant garment that kept the wearer warm and dry in the harsh conditions at sea.

Forest Gansey Socks are my own take on the historical jumpers – knitted in traditional worsted spun Guernsey 5ply wool yarn, these socks will keep your feet warm and cosy and serve equally well in boots for outdoor stomping or as comfy house socks.

Worked cuff down with classic heel flap and gusset construction and square heel turn for a good fit. Leg and foot length can be easily adjusted to suit.

There are two different stitch patterns, leg lengths and toe finishings which can be mixed and matched
to create your own perfect Forest Gansey Sock.

Skills required

• working in the round
• knit, purl, ssk, k2tog, p2tog
• picking up heel flap sts for gusset
• following chart/working cables
• grafting sts for toe (alternative no graft option also given)

Sizes

Foot circumference: 18.5 (21.25, 24)cm / 7.25 (8.25,
9.5)” – choose the size approx 5cm/2” less than foot
circumference at it’s widest point for a good fit.

Heel flap depth 5 (5.5, 6)cm/ 2 (2.25, 2.5)”

Leg and Foot length adjustable to fit.

Yarn requirements

Blacker Yarns 5ply Pure Romney Guernsey Yarn (100%
British wool; approx 232m/242yds per 100g)

For long socks
2 (2, 2) balls in colourway Mid Grey

For shortie slipper socks
1 (1, 1) balls in colourway Olive
Exact yarn amounts for socks are notoriously difficult
to calculate as so much depends on the foot length.
You may want to purchase an extra ball if making the
largest size shortie sock for a longer foot (UK size 11 or
above) just to be on the safe side.

Yarn substitution
A tightly plied, worsted spun yarn in sport or DK weight that knits to gauge. It would be possible to knit these socks in a 4ply sock yarn but check gauge, you may have to drop down a needle size or two and knit a larger size (pay particuler attention to rounds gauge)

Gauge

30sts x 39rnds = 10cm pattern worked in the round, blocked.

Needles and notions

• 2.5mm dpns/circular needle or size needed to get gauge
• 3 stitch markers (1 to show beginning of round and 2 gusset markers)
• darning needle for grafting toe sts.

LOW VISION FORMAT

In an effort to make my patterns more accessible to all, a large print version of the pattern is included as a seperate download.

• Print size 24pt
• Font: Candara. Col. Black
• no italics
• pattern fully written not charted

I am trying a new Pay What You Can Afford model. The price shown reflects the true value and best represents the amount of work it takes to produce the pattern from start to finish. This price supports me and my work and allows me to continue to create beautiful patterns for you to knit! To purchase the pattern at a price more accessible to you please use the codes below at checkout. The prices shown are what you will pay (plus any VAT that may be applicable in your area) PWYCA1 £3.00 (40% disc) PWYCA2 £4.00 (20% disc)