At first glance, this is a very simple design. The pattern could be described as ‘cuff-down socks with a ‘Strong’ heel, rounded toe and plain stocking stitch leg and foot’. However the simplicity ends there, because the Wee Duchess has designed a treat for feet: the whole of the heel, sole and toe is worked in partridge stitch. Partridge stitch knits up equivalent to 1.5 times thicker than the stocking stitch and makes a lovely bouncy fabric to walk on. The Wee Duchess explains step by step how to do this while compensating for the different gauges; stocking stitch on the top of the foot has a different gauge from partridge stitch on the sole; so the sock will end up all bunched up around the ankle if this is not rectified. Follow carefully the Wee Duchess’s detailed illustrated instructions and even a beginner should be able to do this. If you can cast on, knit and purl and work in the round, you can make these socks. Why make the heel, sole and toe different? Well, one of the most frustrating things about hand knit socks is that they wear out and require darning much more than machine knits. Most commonly, the holes appear at the heel, the ball of the foot and under the toe. After all that work! Compensation for the different gauges is achieved in this pattern by adding extra rows to the partridge stitch sections. This technique is unique to the Wee Duchess. She made them for herself and loves wearing them.
3 sizes are given, to fit man or woman, small, medium or large.
No picking up stitches, and only 2 ends to weave in! The Wee Duchess gives instructions for turning the heel row by row, so that you can tick off each one as you go.
If you prefer a thicker yarn, there the Wee Duchess has designed a similar pattern called ‘SIMPLi 6PLi’.