This scary sock pattern was designed for Super Sock Scarefest 2023.

The socks are inspired by the Cornish psychological/folk horror Enys Men (Mark Jenkin, 2022).

They eature an interconnecting series of lines (made by twisted/cable stitches) that represent the Volunteer’s journeys back and forth across the island to record the state of the rare flower she is monitoring. A side panel with a Japanese-style lace stitch represents the flowers, and the strange standing stone outside her cottage is evoked in the shape made by a sole gusset. The ribbing incorporates rick-rack stitches that suggest the lichen which grows across the island, and the classic heel stitch was chosen for its resemblance to the columns in her ledger.

A gusset is worked on the sole of the foot, and the flap is worked so it is integrated with the leg and there is no need to pick up stitches.

The stitch patterning on this sock could create negative ease (depending on your tension). This is reflected in the sizing specifications, but depending on your tension you may wish to use a larger needle size for knitting the top of foot and leg (your chosen needle size for the patterning should come close to 8 stitches per 2.5cm/1”), or knit the larger size. If in doubt, work a pattern swatch to gauge the reduction in circumference.

The pattern was designed using CoopKnits Socks Yeah! in the shade Quartz. Red, yellow, white or grey-green reflect the dominant colour palette of the film, but any solid or tonal would work. 300-400m of fingering weight sock yarn are required.

A 2½mm/size C-2 crochet hook is required to make the bobbles that are a feature of the flower lace pattern. Alternatively, size 6/0 seed beads and a beading tool may be used to substitute beads for the bobbles.