January 2024 update: I am working on revising all my patterns and my Ravelry shop, and so all my patterns are currently unavailable to download. They will be back soon, once they’ve been edited, corrected, and updated! Watch this space…

This design also has matching patterns: the Gamzatti Legwarmers and the Nikiya Cowl! You can find them in my Ravelry store: If I Might Say A Word Designs.

I was inspired by brilliant cinema screenings of both the Royal Ballet and the Bolshoi Ballet’s versions of “La Bayadère” to design these socks.

Solor is a warrior who is in love with Nikiya, the temple dancer (or “bayadère”) - even though the Rajah wants Solor to marry his daughter, Gamzatti. After Nikiya is tragically killed by a venomous snake (at Gamzatti’s command), Solor is inconsolable, and hallucinates Nikiya’s spirit along with the other Shades. The two lovers are finally reunited in death, after the temple collapses during what would be Solor and Gamzatti’s wedding.

Solor’s socks are nice and simple: a one-colour slipped stitch pattern is easy to memorize and quick to knit, but adds a bit of interest to an otherwise everyday pair of socks. They are knitted top-down with a heel flap.

Please note: this pattern has not been test-knitted by anyone but me, and while I have thoroughly checked it, there may be some small errors. Please let me know if you find anything, and I will amend it!

YARNS, NEEDLES AND THE LIKE

You will be using 4-ply/fingering yarn in this pattern. The meterage/yardage is approximate, as it was measured for a size L, so smaller sizes will probably use less.

Up to 400 metres of 4-ply/fingering weight yarn, such as…

• The treat: Riverknits BFL 4-Ply (400m per 100g skein, 100% wool) (shown in Starry Night - dark blue)

• The everyday: Søstrene Grene Anna & Clara Woolblend Fingering (200m per 50g skein, 75% wool, 25% acrylic) (shown in Multi Color 2 - light blue)

…or any other similar weight yarn.

Suggested needles are…

• 2.5mm DPNs OR longer circular needle if you prefer to use the magic loop

SIZES, MEASUREMENTS AND TENSION

The pattern is written in three sizes, Small, Medium and Large, which is very easily adjustable for different sizes. Both pairs of socks in my own photographs are shown in Large.

Sizes to fit a foot circumference of approx.:

Small (56 stitches): 20.5cm/8”
Medium (64 stitches): 23cm/9”
Large (72 stitches): 25.5cm/10”

Choose the size which is closest to your approximate foot circumference: the finished sock will be slightly smaller, and will stretch to fit comfortably.

Tension: 34 stitches and 46 rows = 10cm in slipped stitch pattern, after blocking.

If you knit this pattern, I’d love to see it! Share your WIPs and finished objects on Instagram with the hashtag #IIMSAWdesigns so I can see it!