A sock pattern for that hand dyed skein you just couldn’t resist, but don’t know what to use it for. This is your answer! If you haven’t tried hand dyed yarn before, this is your sign - treat yourself to something bright!

This simple design will let your skein sing, and show off all the beautiful colour variations within it - it’s almost like you’re letting it do the “hard work” for you! Knitting with hand dyed yarn can be a bit of a mystery, but there is a great joy in seeing how it turns out. Combined with the magic of sock knitting, you will love this fun take on a classic wardrobe staple, and come back to it time after time.

The construction looks a little bit like this:

• Knitting in the round using DPNs
• Single rib stitch cuff and stockinette body
• top down from cuff to toe
• short row heel
• simple wedge toe
• grafted ends

This pattern was written for those who have always wanted to try short row heels, but have been put off thinking that they are too complicated. Understanding of basic techniques is assumed (casting on, knit stitch, purl).

Pattern includes a clear guides on how to knit a short row heel, knitting in the round on DPNs, 1x1 rib stitch, stockinette stitch, and grafting. As a bonus, pattern also includes a guide on how to block and care for your finished socks.

Sizing:
Available in S , M, L and XL, based on foot circumference:

Small (UK 3 to 5) = 19cm/ 7.5”
Medium (UK 6 to 8) = 22cm / 8.5”
Large (UK 9 to 11) = 24.25cm / 9.5”
Extra Large (UK 12+) = 25.5cm / 10”

Suggested leg length:
Cuff = 6cm/ 2.25”
Leg = 14cm/ 5.5”
Total = 20cm / 7.75”

Pattern includes sizing charts to get an accurate foot length based on shoe size (handy when you’re knitting as a gift). Negative ease of 10% incorporated into sizing, so pick your size as close as possible, and round down. For example, I knit for UK women’s size 7, and my circumference was 8.75”, so I knit the medium size (average circumference 8.5”).

Materials:
Any fingering weight/4 ply skein of hand dyed yarn; a wool/nylon blend is best for socks (see notes on yardage).

Sample photographed used “It Wiznae Me!” merino nylon sock yarn by For the Love of Yarn.

2.75mm double pointed needles (DPNs). You will also need some snips or scissors, a measuring tape, a darning needle (and I recommend a good cup of tea or coffee to get you going).

Yardage:
Yardage is estimated with a 10% surplus to account for difference in tension:

Small: 245m/ 267 yards
Medium: 279m/ 305 yards
Large: 312m/ 341 yards
Extra Large: 346m/ 378 yards

Typically 100g skeins of a merino/nylon blend, which is popular amongst indie dyers, has a yardage of 400m, which is plenty to make a pair of socks in whichever size you pick. Just be mindful that if you decide to make your leg longer than suggested that you’ll use more yarn so don’t go mad! Always check the skein band before you start.

Gauge:
2.75mm needles in stockinette stitch: 32 stitches x 40 rows to make 10x10cm or 4x4”.