Invisible Thorns by Natalia Vasilieva

Invisible Thorns

Knitting
December 2015
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
31 stitches and 44 rows = 4 inches
in Stockinette
US 1 - 2.25 mm
US 1½ - 2.5 mm
300 - 339 yards (274 - 310 m)
Foot length for bigger size: 10¼” (26 cm); smaller size: 9¾” (23.5 cm)
English
This pattern is available as a free Ravelry download

These socks are inspired by and dedicated to my Ravelry friend Karin who has a stash of variegated sock yarns and likes to knit toe-up socks with Fleegle heels. But since I am only confident in cuff-down socks, “Invisible Thorns” are offered as bi-directional pair.

Techniques used:

  • Magic Loop
  • slipped-stitch knitting in two colors
  • Elastic Crocheted Cast-on
  • Judy’s Magic Cast-on
  • Fleegle heel
  • reversed Fleegle heel
  • shadow wraps
  • lifted increases
  • grafting
  • Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-off (in purl)

Gauge:
For 2-color version (bigger size), US 1.5 (2.5 mm) needles:
Thorn stitch: 33 sts x 48 rows = 4” x 4” (10 x 10 cm)
2-row stockinette stripes: 31 sts x 44 rows = 4” x 4” (10 x 10 cm)

For textured version (smaller size), US 1 (2.25 mm) needles:
Thorn stitch: 34 sts x 48 rows = 4” x 4” (10 x 10 cm)
Stockinette: 32 sts x 44 rows = 4” x 4” (10 x 10 cm)

Yarn usage:
For 2-color version (bigger size):
(A) variegated, preferably in contrasting colors, about 130 yds (120 m)
(B) solid matching one of variegated colors for successful blending, about 210 yds (190 m)

For textured version (smaller size):
variegated, about 300 yds (274 m)


Big THANK YOU! to my testers: villiputti, mmpebworth, iva