ERRATA The Gusset Section on page 30 of the first printing of the Operation Sock Drawer book has incorrect instructions for the Setup Round. It should read (changes in bold): Setup rnd: (MC) Sl 1 wyb, k15 (17, 17, 19, 19), pick up and knit 15 (16, 17, 18, 19) sts along first edge of heel flap, pick up and knit 1 st into the corner between the heel flap and instep, k27 (29, 31, 33, 35) sts across instep – this corresponds to rnd 12 of the st pattern – pick up and knit 1 st into the corner between the heel flap and instep, pick up and knit 15 (16, 17, 18, 19) sts along second edge of the heel flap, k8 (9, 9, 10, 10). This is the new EOR; place marker or rearrange sts as you prefer. 75 (81, 85, 91, 95) sts.

What sock knitter doesn’t have a stash of leftover bits of sock yarn? The Meta Socks take advantage of those, with extra scraps taking on a whole new life and serving as reminders of past projects. The yarns shown here include indie talent and commercial favorites—yarn from a trip to South Africa, swag from a knitting retreat, and yarn from the first dyer to provide yarn support to Mary when she was a new designer. This pattern can serve as a tactile holder for beloved memories. What story will your socks tell?

Each band of color requires about 4 yards (3.6 m). Play with color and dye jobs; this sock can handle about any dye technique as long as the main color retreats into the background. Don’t be terrified at the thought of all those ends! The pattern calls for minimal finishing at the end. Or take another approach altogether and let the yarn work for you by pairing a solid main color with a slow gradient or self-striping yarn.

Worked top down, with a flap-and-gusset heel and grafted wedge toe.

Finished Size
XS (S, M, L, XL)

Sock’s foot circumference: 7 (7½, 8, 8½, 9)“ (18 [19, 20.5, 21.5, 23] cm) to be worn with about 1” (2.5 cm) negative ease.

Yarn
Fingering weight (#1 Super Fine).
Shown here: MC: Sun Valley Fibers MCN-F (80% Merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon; 400 yd [366 m]/3½ oz [100 g]: Kensington, 1 skein.

CCs (required 4 yd [3.6 m] per stripe):
1 | BlueberryChickYarn Kiawah (75% superwash Merino, 25% nylon; 463 yd [423 m]/3½ oz [100 g]): Beautyberry.

2 | Lofty Loops Yarns Lofty Sock (80% superwash Merino, 20% nylon; 400 yd [366 m]/3½ oz [100 g]): 700 Jumps Ain’t Healthy Boy.

3 | Unwind Yarn Company Honeymoon Sock (100% superwash Merino; 430 yd [393 m]/3½ oz [100 g]): Meyer Lemon.

4 | Teal fingering weight superwash Merino-silk blend sock yarn.

5 | Lilliput Yarn Simple Sock (80% superwash Merino; 20% nylon; 400 yd [365 m]/3½ oz [100 g]): Gracie.

6 | Cowgirlblues Merino Sock (100% Merino; 164 yd [150 m]/1¾ oz [50 g]): Ruby Grapefruit.

7 | Unwind Yarn Company Twinkle Sock (75% superwash Merino, 20% nylon, 5% stellina; 438 yd [400 m]/3½ oz [100 g]): Lake Frances Sunrise.

8 | The Fiber Seed Sprout Sock (90% Merino, 10% nylon; 510 yd [466 m]/4¾ oz [135 g]): Birch.

9 | BlueberryChickYarn Kiawah (75% superwash Merino, 25% nylon; 460 yd [421 m]/3½ oz [100 g]): Wheat Field.

10 | Marigoldjen Superwash Merino Nylon Sock (75% superwash Merino, 25% nylon; 460 yd [421 m]/3½ oz [100 g]): Odette.

11 | Sweet Paprika Designs Allegretto (70% Merino, 20% bamboo, 10% nylon; 410 yd [375 m]/4 oz [115 g]): Aurora.

12 | Sweet Paprika Designs Allegretto (70% Merino, 20% bamboo, 10% nylon; 410 yd [375 m]/4 oz [115 g]): Glacier.

Needles
Size U.S. 1 (2.25 mm): Your preferred configuration for small circumference in the round: DPNs, long circular for magic loop, 2 shorter circulars, set of three flexible DPNs, 8–9” (20–23 cm) circular. Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Notions
Yarn needle.

Gauge
34 sts and 46 rnds = 4” (10 cm) in stockinette stitch.
31 sts and 64 rnds = 4” (10 cm) in stitch pattern.