These socks were born on a late-summer trip to Yellowstone National Park, one of the most stunning places I’ve ever seen. The nights were unexpectedly chilly, and early mornings in my tent made me yearn for a nice warm pair of socks, one that would hug my feet securely and not get lost in my sleeping bag. I worked out a twisted-stitches pattern for a firmer, stretchier, more elastic fabric. A lovely skein I’d been saving in a wash of blues, greys and cream tones seemed to capture the clouds in the sky, and I worked out a pattern that felt reminiscent of the classic, V-shaped flocks of birds that soared overhead. The finished result had just the stretch I wanted with lovely, graceful stylized lines.

Skills/Techniques used: Intermediate level design. Requires chart reading, increases/decreases, twisted sts, pick-up sts, wrap & turn, short row heel, Kitchener’s stitch, double-pointed needles (Magic Loop or Two-Circulars method can be used instead of double-pointed needles if desired).

Sizes:

Please note: Sizes below are foot sizes. Finished sock should have ~2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) inches of negative ease from measurements below, depending on size worked

Women’s Small/Medium (US shoe size 5-7.5, foot circumference 8 inches/20.3 cm)
Women’s Medium/Large, Men’s Small (US W 8-10, foot circum. 9.25 inches/23.5 cm)
Women’s Large/Men’s Small (US M 11-14, foot circum. 10.5 inches/26.7 cm).

Some helpful videos on techniques used in the pattern:

Knit through back loop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg2GjmP46L4

Kitchener Stitch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17jtzw05nv4

Twisted Stitches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sA54urjJWUM

A BIG thank you to my fabulous test-knitters Equestrianerd, Amice123, Firespitter, nevolik, craftylii, simatothova, and psrenfro, and to my wonderful tech editor patocenizo8 for all of their help perfecting this pattern! You are amazing! :)