Nellie Wright owned and ran a dressmakers shop in the market town of Ripon, just a few miles from the great estate of Downton Abbey. Since opening her shop, she had longed to create something for one of the great ladies that lived there.

One day she was asked to design a very special pair of socks, a commission from the Dowager Countess. Nellie was over the moon with excitement, and got down to work straight away. She had been asked to use a theme of french patisserie, and she found this completely inspiring.

Nellie chose a softly variegated yarn in tones that she thought would suit the Dowager, and added contrast cuffs, heels and toes in a glorious golden shade.

The socks feature undulating rows of lace and purl stitches, that bring to mind the layers of pastry and cream in a mille-feuille. Just fabulous ! The addition of a french heel turn, and Umbrella Toe finish off the socks perfectly.

Nellie packaged up the socks and sent them off to the Dowager with much excitement, hoping she would love them ! Do you think she did ?

The ‘Tea at Downton’ socks were knitted using Sherry Iris Yarn in the colourway ‘Strictly Ballroom’. The cuffs, heels and toes are Bakery Bears Cottage in ‘Autumn Gold’.

The pattern includes 3 sizes, and is both written and charted. The size large may require slightly more than a 20g mini for the contrast colour.

I hope you enjoy knitting up your own pair, and of course you must have a cup of tea and some cake whilst you knit !