Another unique pattern by The Wee Duchess, who provides not just a pattern: she also gives you an illustrated tutorial for the tricky bits, shows how to keep the sole a different colour from the top and how to cope with the tension differential. Instructions are given in two sizes, for men and women, (adjustable foot length). The heel, sole and toe is worked in Eye of Partridge stitch to provide additional thickness and strength. The Wee Duchess conducted some ‘market research’ by asking sporty friends and relations about what they would like in a sports sock. The answers included: ‘not too tight round the ankle’ ‘not too short in the leg, those shortie ones are annoying because they disappear down the back of my trainers’ ‘not wool, they get hot and sweaty’ ‘I’d like a soft comfy sole and toe to protect me from bruising on a long run’.
So here you are……please note that this design has deliberately loose-fitting ankles, so if you want a snug fit you will need to reduce the needle size.

A NOTE about tension (gauge): the progressive stripe pattern takes 43 rows to 10cm, the eye of partridge is 50 rows to 10 cm.