The Geometry of Socks: 'Circles' by ChristineLothian

The Geometry of Socks: 'Circles'

Knitting
July 2021
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
35 stitches and 38 rows = 4 inches
US 1½ - 2.5 mm
437 - 875 yards (400 - 800 m)
1st size: for a slim woman or teenager 2nd size: for an average woman or slim man 3rd size: for a broader woman’s foot or average man
English
This pattern is available from lovecrafts.com for £2.00.

Have you noticed that socks are made up of simple geometrical shapes? The leg and foot are cylinders, the heel flap is a rectangle, the heel is part of a sphere, the ankle/gusset section is a triangle, and the toe is a trapezoid! So, in honour of this discovery, I have designed this simple circle pattern. The circles appear ‘soft’ owing to using a variegated yarn on a solid background. You could experiment with 2 solid colours to produce ‘sharper’ circles, or knit the circles with a solid colour on a marled background - be as creative as you want!

This design is aimed at intermediate knitters who are not afraid of simple colour work. Only 2 colour strands are used.

The socks are knitted cuff down with a heel flap. The heel, sole and toe are knitted with 2 strands of yarn held together on alternate rows, so creating a lovely thick, comfortable, bouncy sole to walk on with reduced chance of wearing through.
Instructions are given in 3 sizes: for a slimmer foot woman/teenager; an average foot woman/slim man; and broader foot/average man.

Instruction for the circles pattern is provided written out in full.

Please also check out my ‘Squares’ and Triangles’ patterns, or buy all 3 in one pdf!