Three times each day during spring and summer, I leave the farm and take to the forest path. Together with my flock of Grå Trønder sheep, we follow along the pathway and climb the mountain. We walk deeper and deeper into the forest, until we reach the forest glade, where my little flock frolics and grazes among the forest trees.

The «Shepherd Socks» were inspired by these journeys of walking up and down the mountain path and my passion for protecting and growing the wool of this rare, heritage breed of sheep - the Grå Trøndersau (Gray Trøndelag sheep).

It has been important to me to help to return this breed of sheep to its original landscape here within the Trøndelag region of Norway, in which I live. Growing and promoting their wool, which was the first used within the original Selbu mitten rose design, is my primary focus here on the farm. This design represents this work, my passion and this story.

The Design:
This boot, hiking, or cosy house sock design is knit top down. It includes a stranded knitting motif, heel flap, gusset and rounded toe. The 7 inch leg is the perfect length for a boot. The foot is knit to one’s own desired length and the rounded toe offers comfort when used inside a boot.

This design uses only 100% Norwegian wool, knit at tight gauge to increase durability. It is possible to re-inforce your own high wear, problem spots during the knitting of the sock, to increase durability, by using an additional natural fiber, held double, with the Norwegian wool.

I choose 100% Norwegian wool without synthetic fibers within my sock designs, as it is one of the world’s most durable, sustainable materials and this is important for taking care of our planet.

Thank you for joining me along on the forest path and your interest in knitting my design!

Please note:
This pattern has been professionally tech editied and knit for clarity. It is in written form, row by row and is fully charted.

Planning your project:
Approximate leg circumference:
Size 1: 21 to 22 cm
Size 2: 23 to 24 cm
Size 3: 25 to 26 cm
Size 4: 27 to 28 cm

Yarn: Rauma 2 ply Gammelserie - You will need 2 - 50 gram balls of Colour A GL403 Lys grå melert (light heathered gray) for Size 1 and 2 and 3 - 50 gram balls for (Size 3 and 4 ). You will need 1– 50 gram ball of Colour B GL410 Sauesvart or black sheep, for all sizes. This is a total of 150 (200) grams and 480 (640) meters.

Please consider the environment before printing out this pattern. It was written to be used in a digital format.

For more information, visit: Knitography Farm

Please join the Knitography Farm Designs ongoing KAL within my Ravelry Group