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The River Fleet socks were inspired by London’s lost underground river which has been flowing under the streets of the City for over 250 years. Once a prominent river, the Fleet served as a major highway which was used for transporting goods through London. However, as the City grew, the river gradually became entombed underground and by 1870 it was completely covered over.

The source of the Fleet were two springs at Hampstead Heath, one on the east and one on the west. These springs feed a line of ponds on either side and eventually join together before reaching the Thames. This pattern uses a pretty lace pattern to follow the path of those springs and ponds as they join together to make up the lost river.

River Fleet is a pattern to celebrate the histories that lie under our feet.

River Fleet is a basic adult sock pattern with a simple lace panel running down the front of the sock. The pattern is written for 3 adult sizes and video tutorials are provided for the stitches and techniques used to make the socks.

Stitches Used – Knit, purl, slipped stitches, short rows, k2tog, ssk, p2tog, yo, sl1-k2tog-psso

Sizes and Measurements

Hand knit socks are designed to be slightly smaller than the foot length to give a small amount of negative ease. This means that they will hug the foot and leg and stay in place. The sizes given are a ‘to fit’ size. The actual socks will be slightly smaller to allow a little stretch for a snug fit.

The sizes given in this pattern are for adult sizes in small, medium and large. To determine which size sock to knit you will need to measure your foot as follows:

Circumference – Take a tape measure and wrap this around the widest part of your foot, just before your toes.

Length – Take a ruler and place it on the floor. With the back of your heel on ‘0’ measure the length to the top of your longest toe.

If your measurements are in between the sizes given, select the nearest circumference size as the length can be easily adjusted to fit.

• Small Adult - 8” / 20.5cm foot circumference and 8.5” / 21.5cm length from tip of toe to back of heel
• Medium Adult - 9” / 23cm foot circumference and 9.25” / 23.5cm length from tip of toe to back of heel
• Large Adult - 9.75” / 25cm foot circumference and 10” / 25.5cm length from tip of toe to back of heel

The size shown in the pattern photographs is for the small adult.

Materials Used

When choosing the yarn for your socks you want to be looking for a yarn with nylon content or a high twist as this adds extra durability and strength.

• 1 x 3.5oz / 100g, 440 yd / 400m skein of 4ply sock yarn. The yarn used in the pattern is the
Under the Olive Tree 75% superwash merino / 25% nylon 4ply yarn in the Dusky Pink colourway
• 1 set of US 1.5 / 2.5mm double pointed needles (or size needed to obtain gauge)
• 3 Stitch Markers
• 1 Tapestry Needle

Gauge - 32 stitches and 44 rnds to 4” / 10cm in stockinette stitch after blocking