The Patroclus socks are inspired by Patroclus from the Iliad, Madeline Miller’s Song of Achilles, and Coley from Pasley Knits stunning Song of Achilles colourway! This is a pattern for DK-weight mid-calf socks with beautiful cable features. There are a few intermediate techniques, including Kitchener stitch and cable charts.

For this pattern, you will need one 100g/246 yard skein of main colour DK-weight yarn and one 20g mini skein OR 100g/437 yard skein of fingering weight main colour yarn and a 20g mini skein for the contrast colour (held double). For needles, you will need a set of 4 mm (US size 6) DPNs, and a needle to weave in ends.

This size breakdown is as follows (as measured around the widest part of the foot--usually the ball of the foot)
Size 1: 7in
Size 2: 8in
Size 3: 9in

If you need a size that is not listed (such as for 6in or 12in) please email me! I am happy to grade it for you!

These socks are designed to be a bit snug at first (about 10% negative ease). Socks stretch as you wear them! If you are knitting with superwash and intend on wearing these socks a lot, keep in mind that superwash can stretch up to two sizes!

If there is a difference of more than three inches between your foot circumference and your ankle circumference, I recommend choosing the size that corresponds to the biggest number.

If you are between sizes, I recommend sizing up and the cable across the top of the foot tightens the foot a bit.

If your heel is wide, you have a low instep, or you have a wider calf, you may want to knit the cuff and leg a size larger and then decrease down to the stitches for the smaller size foot. For example, if you want the cuff of a size 3 sock but the foot of a size 2 sock, cast on the required number of stitches stitches, knit the size 3 sock until the gusset decreases after the heel turn, and then decrease to the required number of stitches (the amount stated for the size 2 sock)!

If you have a high instep, I recommend knitting the heel flap .5-1 inch longer than the pattern calls for. You will then pick up more stitches along the edge of the heel flap and then do more instep decreases to get to the called-for number of stitches!

If you have any questions about the pattern you are welcome to email me at sundaymorningknits@gmail.com!

The beautiful cables on this sock are echoed in its sister sock, the Achilles sock because Achilles and Patroclus are always part of each other’s lives. Their love echoes through the generations and I wanted to commemorate that in these two pairs of socks ❤️

Thank you for supporting me and my designs!