Oh, a Hay Ride. Whether I was traveling to the local haunted mansion, around a pumpkin patch, or through the neighborhood Christmas caroling, the hay ride was a staple of my childhood.

This sock design brings it all back… the crisp air, the itchy hay particles, the cold feet. Sections of garter stitch are stacked like hay bales along the instep while smooth stockinette graces the sole of the foot and the back. If only the hay rides had been that smooth! Not the case- usually there were many dips and ruts in the field, and someone invariably got bumped off their bale onto the floor of the wagon. It was anyone’s guess if this ride’s victim would be a toddler, or an adult who had taken one sip too many of the “special” apple cider!

The sock is knit toe up with a Turkish cast on using the magic loop method. Line-by-line directions for the shadow wrap short row heel are included for each of five sizes, making this pattern accessible to beginner sock knitters and more advanced ones who wish to try a new technique.

Techniques Used:
Turkish cast on
Knitting in the round with magic loop
Short row heel with shadow wraps
KFB increases
Binding off

Finished Measurements:
Gauge: 34 sts and 49 rounds equals 4” (10 cm) in stockinette in the round

Sizing: Adult XS (S, M, L, XL)
Foot and leg circumference (actual): 5.5 (6.5, 7.5, 8.5, 9.5)“ / 14 (17, 19, 22, 24) cm
Leg length: 6.25 (7, 8.5, 9.5, 10.5)” / 16 (18, 22, 24, 27) cm
Foot length: 6.5 (7.75, 9, 10, 11)“ / 17 (20, 23, 25.5, 28) cm
Leg and foot length are adjustable with instructions provided to customize fit. Sample shown is a hybrid between S (foot length) and M (circumference).

Materials Needed:
Yarn:
190 (255, 357, 444, 537) yds / 174 (233, 326, 406, 491) m of light fingering weight sock yarn with nylon; sample knit with Birch Hollow Fibers Sylvia Sock in Thornwood colorway (75% superwash merino and 25% nylon)
Needles:
Size 1 US/ 2.25 mm 32” (81 cm) circular needle (or size needed to achieve gauge)
Notions:
Stitch marker
Tapestry needle