Inspired by the annual Sock Madness competition, this sock has a little lace, a few cables, a sprinkling of twisted stitches, some clever mirroring, and a beaded picot bind off making it a fun sock to knit and very nice to wear. A star toe begins this sock which has a heel flap + gusset and ribbing up the back of leg for a nice fit. Work this up in a favorite solid or semi-solid color to really show off the stitches.

Size
Women’s Medium stretches to fit foot circumference of 8”, length is customizable

Yarn
Light fingering / light sock weight, 463 yards
Sample socks shown used a full skein measuring 463 yards / 100 grams.

Gauge and Needles
36 sts & 48 rows = 4” / 10 cm slightly stretched and averaged over pattern after blocking (some sts will stretch more than others), using US 00-2 (1.75-2.5 mm) or size needed to get gauge.
Gauge note: some sts such as cables will draw in the gauge and some sts such as lace will expand the gauge; average gauge in this pattern will even out over the entire round due to stitch placement. For proper fit, take time to check gauge.

Notions
cable needle, stitch markers, darning needle, 48 size 6 or 8 round seed beads (beads should slide freely on yarn held doubled) plus tiny crochet hook for placing beads

Skills
Knit, purl, increase, decrease, cables, lace, twisted stitches, beads

Gratitude
Thank you to everyone on the Sock Madness team that tested and otherwise reviewed this pattern prior to publishing, and for everything they do to make this a fun yearly event. Tricia, Faith, Cindy, Ronni, Linda, Karin, Virpi, Becca, Iffy, and Miriam -- you rock!

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