Samwise's Garden by Varina Jones

Samwise's Garden

Knitting
January 2013
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
35 stitches and 50 rows = 4 inches
in Stockinette, unblocked
US 1 - 2.25 mm
380 - 438 yards (347 - 401 m)
Small/Elf (8-8 1/2" around), Large/Hobbit (9 1/2 -10" around)
English
This pattern is available for $4.50 USD buy it now

This is Sam Gamgee.
Your Bodyguard?
His Gardener

While hobbits do not wear socks, I believe if they did that Sam would knit them. They are objects like himself, seemingly humble, ordinary, and workaday, and for all that essential. A well-made and perfectly fitting sock, like a good friend, is a comfort beyond the luxuries of kings.
In deference to Samwise’s love of plants and growing things, this sock has leaf motifs which lean masculine, suitable for comfortable days at home or simply walking into Mordor.

In another hobbit-y turn, these socks are likely to be especially appreciated by the large of foot (such as myself). Many sock patterns, especially the more intricate, simply stick a few lines of stockinette between the main motifs for larger sizes, which is often fine but sometimes a bit off (especially when you get to the leg where there will be an inch of plain knitting between elaborate motifs). In these, the large size is fully designed and every bit as attractive as the smaller size.

Included in the download is instructions for some techniques unique to toe-up sock knitting. If you are familiar with toe up socks you will probably not need it as this sock is constructed in the standard fashion.
The pattern draws in slightly, like ribbing (but less so), so there is a small range of foot widths each size will fit.