First published in my Icelandic Yarn Club 2 and now available as a single pattern PDF.

Those toe-up socks are all about short rows, hence their Icelandic name Stuttar raddir. Short rows make for the striking pattern bands that seem to be wrapped around the sock and that remind of the woven bands which were traditionally laced around Icelandic socks - otherwise rather plain - to hold them in place. Of course, the socks also feature a short row heel!
Many methods exist to make short rows: in Iceland we use the yarn over method, which is my favorite of all because it’s simple and intuitive and it makes the counts very easy. Any time I encounter another method in a pattern, I will always substitute the yo method for it. It’s very simple: for example, if instructions say “wrap & turn”, I will do “turn, yo” instead.
The socks end up with a tubular bind off for an elastic yet beautiful cuff.

Sizes: XS(S,M,L)XL

Finished measurements
Foot circumference: 18.5(20,21.5,23)24.5 cm / 7.25(7.75,8.5,9)9.75” to fit foot (measured at the widest part) 21(22.5,24,25.5)27 cm / 8.25(8.75,9.5,10)10.5”,
Foot length, adaptable: 21.5(24,25,26.5)28 cm / 8.5(9.5,10,10.5)11” with recommended fit 15% negative ease.

Gauge: 10 cm / 4” = 26 sts and 32 rows in St st on 2.5 mm / US 1½ needle with Sport/DK weight yarn.
Check your gauge and if necessary, change needle size to obtain the correct gauge.

Wool
Any sport/DK sock yarn

Used in sample shown: Katla sokkaband by Hélène Magnússon: pure new Icelandic lambswool with a dash of silk (1%), DK/sport weight sock yarn, 4 ply, non superwash, 100g /skein = 224 m/ 244 yds
MC: hot spring blue, 1 skein
CC: natural white, 1 skein
Note that if you knit the biggest size you won’t have enough MC yarn and will need to knit the cuffs and/or the toes with CC.

Needle: 2.5 mm / US 1 ½ circular needle or size to obtain the gauge. Magic loop technique is used, but you can also use double pointed-needles or any other technique to knit in the round.
For the tubular BO, you need an extra needle of the same size or smaller.

Notions: darning needle, stitch marker, scrap yarn in contrasting color.