With the book Socks of Iceland, Hélène Magnússon is reinventing the tradition of socks in Iceland. Taking inspiration from old Icelandic socks, historical patterns, but also traditional Icelandic mittens, the book contains 17 socks patterns with a definite Icelandic flair. The socks involve all sorts of techniques and constructions that will ravish beginners and more advanced knitters alike. The book also draws a complete history of sock knitting in Iceland.
For more info, please visit https://icelandicknitter.com/product/socks-of-iceland

All sorts of socks with ribbing can be found in the museums in Iceland. The many variations of vertical lines of knit and purl stitches have all in common that they make the socks extremely elastic. I thus propose only one size for my Katlastroff socks but they will fit all feet from babies to adults: only the length will change. Trully magical! And they are completely reversible!
The name Katlastroff is made of stroff which means ribbing in Icelandic and Katla, the female Icelandic troll and also the name of my sock yarn. The tale of Katla doesn’t say but since her magical breeches seemed to fit the poor Barði as well, I want to believe that they adapted to their wearer. And then what a catastrophe when the Katla volcanoe erupts!
The Katlastroff socks have an afterthought heel worked afterwards and grafted in ribbing. The toe is pleasantly shaped within the ribbed motif. The pattern provides two constructions: the traditional one from the cuff down and a more modern one from the toe up.

Size: one size fits all, from babies to adults. Only the length is adjustable. Very stretchy socks: the smaller, the bulgier, the bigger the less elastic and fitted.
You can achieve more sizes by changing needle size.

Shown are baby socks in Arctic coral and women socks in Natural brown both knitted on needle 2.5 mm / US 1½; but the men socks in Moss green were knitted on 3 mm / US 2 needle.

Finished measurements
Foot circumference: approx. 11 cm / 4½” unstretched and 25 cm / 10” stretched to the maximum.
Foot length: adaptable and will depend on the circumference stretching (as an indication 10 cm / 4” long for my baby socks, 24 cm / 9½” for my women socks and 27 cm / 10½” for my men socks)
Leg length: similar to foot length.

Size: one size fits all, from babies to adults. Only the length is adjustable. Very stretchy socks: the smaller, the bulgier, the bigger the less elastic and fitted.
You can achieve more sizes by changing needle size.

Shown are baby socks in Arctic coral and women socks in Natural brown both knitted on needle 2.5 mm / US 1½; but the men socks in Moss green were knitted on 3 mm / US 2 needle.

Finished measurements
Foot circumference: approx. 11 cm / 4½” unstretched and 25 cm / 10” stretched to the maximum.
Foot length: adaptable and will depend on the circumference stretching (as an indication 10 cm / 4” long for my baby socks, 24 cm / 9½” for my women socks and 27 cm / 10½” for my men socks)
Leg length: similar to foot length.

Gauge: 10 cm / 4” = 26 sts and 32 rnds in Stocking st on 2.5 mm / US 1½ needle and 24 sts and 30 rnds on needles 3 mm / US 2½

Yarn: Katla sokkaband by Hélène Magnússon: pure new Icelandic lambswool with a dash of silk (1%), DK/sport weight sock yarn, 4 ply, non superwash, 100g skein = 220 m / 240 yds: 1 to 2 skeins depending on size.

Yarn: Katla sokkaband by Hélène Magnússon: pure new Icelandic lambswool with a dash of silk (1%), DK/sport weight sock yarn, 4 ply, non superwash, 100g skein = 220 m / 240 yds: 1 to 2 skeins depending on size.

Yardage used: approx. 80 m / 87 yds for sample baby socks, 194 m / 212 yds for women socks and 242 m/264 yds for men socks.