The only constant is change. Because Polaris lies nearly in a direct line with the Earth’s rotational axis ‘above’ the North Pole (the north celestial pole), Polaris stands almost motionless in the sky and all the stars of the northern sky appear to rotate around it. This explains why it has been used for centuries for celestial navigation. However, as with all good things, Polaris’ star role as a fixed point above the poles will come to an end. In about 12, 000 years, Vega will be our new North Star. It’s too bad I won’t be around to update this pattern.

Decades ago now, I studied Astrophysics as an undergrad student. I was lucky to have done so at the University of Calgary which means we had a wide open sky with a low horizon; it felt like I could see our entire galaxy from where I stood. The night was not then polluted with electric lights like it would be now and the horizon not blocked by a thick tree line as in Ontario. I spent so much of my time, my neck cricked as my head was forever held back, staring at the rotating constellations in the night sky. Truth be told, my favourite ‘star’ is the planet Jupiter, but when I learnt about the future change of our North Star, I was impressed. I cannot deny it.

These socks may look like they are difficult but if you are not new to stranded knitting, that is an illusion. The patterns for the cuff and toe are regular, logical, and rhythmic, as is the lice stitch for the remainder of the sock. You can choose to knit as much or as little colourwork as you wish. Just knit the stranded band at the top of the sock and skip the lice, for example. Knit your socks as shown or add a contrasting cuff, heel, and toe. Swap out the short row heel for any heel of your choice. Make these socks yours, guided only by the directions or intuition of your own personal North Star.

FINISHED SIZES: Adult S (M, L) Leg/Foot Circumference: 7 (8, 9)”/ 18 (20, 23) cm; fits leg/foot circumference of 8 (9, 10)” / 20 (23, 25) cm Leg/Foot Length: Adjustable to fit.

YARN: Two skeins of fingering weight sock yarn/4-ply, 100g of MC and 50g of CC. Highly contrasting colours will work best. The most suitable yarns are solids, tonals, or very lightly speckled. Sample Socks were knit with Kat’s Riverside Studio in Supersock, 443 yards/115g, in size large. MC: Indigo, CC: Natural.