I love scrappy mismatched things, they go together but they’re different in a good way. The This or That Socks definitely scratch that itch. However, you could make each sock with this and this or perhaps that and that if you like a more matchy-matchy order. Or even all-over stripes like I did the bonus leftover pair.

The sample socks photographed in this pattern used eight 25-gram mini-skeins, 200 grams total of fingering weight yarn and I got three pairs of fresh, stripey, fun socks by switching the colors around.

The This or That Socks are worked from the cuff-down, with a traditional heel flap and turn. The pattern is written using four double-pointed needles but you can use any sort of technique that you prefer, magic loop, short circulars, two short circulars, etc. All is good.

Sizes: Small (medium, large)

Finished Measurements
7 (8, 9) -inches in circumference at the ball of the foot.
The cuff measures about 6-inches from the cast on edge to the top of the heel flap. Both the cuff and the foot lengths can be adjusted. If adjusting lengths the amount of yarn used will vary.

Selecting Your Sock Size
The size selected should be about an inch smaller than the actual measurement at the ball of the foot. This will make the sock snug-fitting and not baggy.

For example, my foot measures 9-inches in circumference at the ball of the foot so I make the medium size with the 8-inch circumference. My shoe size is a US women’s size 7.5 and a European size 38.

Other Useful Ideas
For men’s socks, I use the size large instructions in the pattern to fit my sons’ US men’s shoe size 11 feet. For sport weight socks, I use the size small instructions in the pattern with a US size 2 needle to fit my feet.

Needles
US size 1 / 2.25mm double-pointed needles (set of 4) or size to obtain gauge.
Use whatever method you prefer like magic loop, small circs, etc., but the pattern is written for double-pointed needles.

Yarn
Barrett Wool Co. Wisconsin Sock Wool, 25% nylon, 75% merino super wash wool (360 yds / 100 grams).

Each pair of This or That socks in the photos uses 4 contrasting yarn colorways that came in 25-gram mini-skeins for each color.

This or That Sock Helpful Yarn Information in Grams

• Each of my finished socks weighs about 36 grams for the medium size to fit a US woman’s size 7.5 foot.
• Each 6 round stripe uses about 1.3 grams.
• One cuff, heel, and toe use about 7 grams in total.

If you have a group of mini-skeins these socks are perfect for mixing and matching and just using up all of the yarn until gone and then adding in another color. For example, on the Version 2 sample of socks (colors listed below), I ran out of the Marigold (gold) yarn so I switched to red to finish the gusset decrease section. The more you mix and match, the better.

Gauge
8 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch

Materials
Yarn needle
Locking stitch marker
Tape measure or ruler