When designing these socks, I imagined secret love letters treasured behind locks on antique writing desks, wrought iron gates of hidden gardens where lovers met, the ornate bridges in Europe where modern lovers attach locks to proclaim undying love for each other, and the intimacy in the word Beloved.

These socks are knit cuff down, increasing sts and changing needle size for the colourwork on the leg to accommodate the less stretchy fabric of stranded knitting. I started with a US1 (2.25 mm) needle and increased to a US1 ½ (2.5 mm) for the colourwork. If your gauge is the same for both stranded and plain stockinette then switching needles may not be necessary but I do recommend increasing stitches. Many sock knitters have specific needle sizes they always use for making socks.
The heel is a slipped stitch heel flap and the toe is grafted together with Kitchener stitch.

To centre the design at the front of the leg and front of the foot, you will start the charts at a specific stitch. It is clearly marked in the chart and the written directions.

YARN USED in photo:
MC: Rose Hill Yarns Sock Yarn, 75% Superwash Wool/ 25% Nylon, 463 yds/100g, Into The Shadow
CC1: Rose Hill Yarns Sock Yarn, 75% Superwash Wool/ 25% Nylon, 463 yds/100g, Spring Vine
CC2 (heel): Holly Press Fibers SHEEPISHsock fingering yarn, 75% superwash merino wool/25% nylon, 92 yds/20g, Life’s Better When Camping Trio (green)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS:
Approx. circumference in stocking stitch, not stretched: 6 ½ (7 ½, 8 ½, 9 ½) inches/16.5 (19, 21.5, 24) cm
Approx. circumference in stranded, not stretched: 7 ½ (8 ½, 9 ½, 10 ½) inches/19 (21.5, 24, 26.5) cm
YARDAGE:
Approximate yardage used (for medium circumference and womens size US8):
MC: 235 yds/215 m
CC1: 93 yds/85 m
CC2: 21 yds/19 m
This pattern has been tech edited by Sigrun Jones and tested by volunteers.