This pattern is available as part of The Handmade Sock Society 2

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After exploring every corner of the cottage, unpacking and settling in, it might be time to take a little trip to the nearest village in search of supplies. There’s a venerable bicycle with faded blue paint leaning up against the shed, and after an exploratory shake and a poke at the tyres, it seems sturdy enough. It doesn’t take long at all before you’ve fetched up at a little row of shops. It’s a joy to linger over your list, choosing from ingredients that might have been growing—or swimming—less than a mile away, only yesterday. Once you’ve filled your basket and paid, the jovial man behind the counter winks and tucks a little bag of something down the side. “On the house.” he says, and smiles.

It’s a healthy handful of vibrant samphire, perfect with a bit of fish or just steamed for a salad. The name sounds like a jewel, and for something so simple and ordinary, that little bit of romance goes a long way. It’s been given away to customers by the friendlier sort of fish monger for many years, but that doesn’t mean that it’s without value. Samphire is beloved by the fishermen, foragers, and foodies who seek it out. Sparkling among the rocks in the estuary, vivid emerald green or pale and smooth as jade, this little sea vegetable wonderfully nourishing, like its cousins the seaweeds. And that’s what this journey is all about: receiving gifts, finding the beautiful in the ordinary, and nourishing yourself in a hundred little ways.

The Samphire Socks are our second pattern of the season. The design features a pretty lace panel down the front of the leg, with a stitch pattern that mimics the little branching fronds of the samphire plant. The back of the leg is done in a simple, relaxing texture to add interest. If you’re new to lace socks, don’t fret: the pattern is easy to follow, and the result is absolutely beautiful. These socks are knit from the top down, with a twisted rib cuff, my favourite heel flap and gusset construction, and a wedge toe to finish, but as always, you can easily substitute your favourites instead: modifying to make the perfect sock for you is one of the great joys of knitting your own. The Samphire Sock pattern includes three sizes.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
To fit approx. foot circumference of 7
(8, 9)“ /17.5 (20.5, 22.5) cm.

YARN
The Wool Barn, Cashmere Sock
(80% Superwash Merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon, 350m/383yds per 100g skein), 1 skein
Colour: Silver Fern
OR
Medium Sample used 90g; 315m/345yds of heavy fingering
weight yarn

NEEDLES
2.25mm (US 1), 100cm (40”) long circular needles (or size to obtain gauge) for magic loop method
or DPNs if preferred

NOTIONS
Tapestry needle
1 stitch marker

GAUGE
32 sts/46 rounds = 10 cm (4”) in stockinette stitch