Any time I work on charts for projects I like to imagine what they’d look like on other garments, especially socks. I loved this little garden gnome peeking out from among the flowers and as soon as I saw his little face emerge I knew I wanted him on some socks. The yarn used was from the Merlot to Moss fade set by Baa-realis Fibre.

These socks are knit cuff down, increasing sts and changing needle size for the colourwork on the leg to accommodate the less stretchy fabric of stranded knitting. I started with a US1 (2.25 mm) needle and increased to a US1 ½ (2.5 mm) for the colourwork. If your gauge is the same for both stranded and plain stockinette then switching needles may not be necessary but I do recommend increasing stitches. I did not increase sts for the colourwork on the foot but I did switch to a larger needle.

The heel is a slipped stitch heel flap and the toe is grafted together with Kitchener stitch.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS:
Approx. circumference in stocking stitch, not stretched: 6 ½ (7 ½, 8 ½, 9 ½) inches/16.5 (19, 21.5, 24) cm
Approx. circumference in stranded, not stretched: 7 ½ (8 ½, 9 ½, 10 ½) inches/19 (21.5, 24, 26.5) cm

YARN USED in photo:
MC: Baa-realis Fibre fingering yarn, 80% Superwash Merino Wool/ 20% Nylon, 370 yds/100g, Merlot
CC1: MC: Baa-realis Fibre fingering yarn, 80% Superwash Merino Wool/ 20% Nylon, 370 yds/100g, Natural (cream)
CC2: Baa-realis Fibre fingering yarn, 80% Superwash Merino Wool/ 20% Nylon, 370 yds/100g, Moss

YARDAGE:
Approximate yardage used (for medium circumference and women’s size US8):
MC: 185 yds/169 m
CC1: 93 yds/85 m
CC2: 74 yds/ 68 m

GAUGE:
Using US1 (2.25 mm) after blocking, over single colour stocking stitch, knit in the round: 34 sts x 46 rows = 4 inches (10 cm)
Using US1 ½ (2.5 mm) after blocking, over stranded pattern knit in the round: 34 sts x 41 rows = 4 inches (10 cm)

This pattern was tech edited by Sigrun Jones and tested by volunteers.