It’s been a damned difficult year, to say the least. For those of us who have survived it, however, it feels as though glimmers of hope are on the horizon.

January and February are often difficult months at the best of times, for me at least. In the northern hemisphere the days are short and too often grey. But my spirits start to raise when I see the snowdrops and daffodils come up, followed by other early Spring blooms, and then Eastertime.

Whilst I do not observe Easter as a religious festival, it is nonetheless an important milstone, as are other festivals at this time of year such as the Hindu ‘Holi’. Days are lengthening, colours appearing, lambs being born.

New life.

Which, of course, brings us irrevocably to motherhood and the pagan origins of Easter (the goddess Eostre/Ostara).

And motherhood links us to these socks that I designed and knit with my mum in mind. Due to the pandemic I’ve only been able to see her once this past year. But I hope to see her soon. I hope. Ich hoffe.

Pattern Details:

Knit using the ‘Hoffnung’ set of 6 miniskeins in 6 different colours from my favourite dyer, Wollmeise. You can buy there here, if they are in stock - https://www.rohrspatzundwollmeise.de/en/twin-80-wolle-20-...

Socks are knit top-down, with a heel flap and gusset. Pattern directions are for knitting on two circulars, but feel free to use DPN’s, magic loop etc. Pattern calls for two 60cm/24” circular needles in size US 2 / 2.75mm (or whatever needles allow you to achieve gauge, for the stranded colour work) and two 60cm/24” circular needles in size US 1.5 /2.5mm for the ribbing, heel and toe.

Available in sizes small (7”/17.7cm foot circumference) and medium (8”/20.3cm). The knitted example photographed is the small size. For the medium size, two (repeated) bands of the leg needed to be modified to accommodate the stitch count and maths - please refer to the chart picture in this listing for a preview. I have created separate downloads for both sizes - one purchase allows you to download both/either.

Gauge is 34 stitches by 38 rows over 4”/10cm, in stranded colour work knit in the round, measured post-blocking.

Huge thanks to IvrigA-I, lorla, sparklepony & Catarina for being my extra eyes!