When you want to truly get away from the stress and demands of your daily life, you need a place that’s off the beaten path. Somewhere beautiful, but quiet. No traffic, no crowds…maybe even no phone reception. These days, such places are harder and harder to find, but if you’re lucky, you might discover a cottage that’s right in the middle of nowhere. The fact that it is difficult to find is half of its charm. But here it is, nestled into a hidden cove, surrounded by the dunes. Outside, its weathered stone walls are studded with scallops and cockleshells, set right into the plaster. There’s magic here at Shell Cottage, and for a lovely interlude, it will be your hideaway and your own protective shell.

Open the door and step inside: you’ll discover one delight after another. There’s a worn wooden table looking out over the ocean, where you can sit and sip your morning coffee or tea and watch the changing light. In one corner there’s a perfectly broken-in armchair, perfect for long hours of comfortable, peaceful knitting, in the other, there’s a deep, cosy bed, heaped with gently faded quilts and fat down pillows and waiting to welcome you after a long, fruitful day. No matter what time of year it is, the evenings can be chilly in Cornwall, so build up the fire in the little stove and tuck a hot water bottle into the blankets. This is your place to relax, to nurture your body and spirit, and to gain strength for all the adventures ahead.

The Shell Cottage Socks feature a fun and easy ribbed “knot” stitch for the leg and top of the foot. Visually, the twists line up like rows of pretty seashells on the cottage walls, and this stretchy rib makes these socks as cosy and squishy as can be. They look impressive, but the pattern is simple and gratifying, even for newish sock-knitters. Knit from the top down, they feature a twisted rib cuff, a classic eye of partridge heel, and a gently rounded toe, and if you have your own favourite finishes, they are easy to adapt. The pattern comes with three sizes, so you’re sure to find your perfect fit.

SIZE
Small (Medium, Large)

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

YARN
Viola Sock
(75% Superwash Merino, 25% Nylon 421m/460yds per 100g skein), 1 skein
Colour: Garden Ghost
OR
Medium Sample used 62g of 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
3 stitch markers
GAUGE
32 sts/46 rounds = 10 cm (4”) in stockinette stitch

The Handmade Sock Society Season 2 is a pattern subscription club inspired by the beautiful Cornish coastline. The six secret sock knitting patterns in the collection are ideal for any knitter who is obsessed with hand-knitted socks, loves a bit of suspense, and enjoys creating along with other enthusiastic makers. The first pattern of the series will be released in early later this month, and then there will be another pattern release every other month until December 2019. There’s never any pressure to “keep up” with the crowd, and our leisurely release schedule should allow knitters of all skill levels and knitting speeds a nurturing and relaxed experience.