“What would The Princess Bride have been like if Buttercup had gone searching for Westley, instead of immediately giving him up for dead?”

This one question from his wife after a family movie night, fueled Brandon Sanderson’s imagination as he set out to write Tress of the Emerald Sea. A princess, who, instead of sitting idly by, makes things happen for herself, who remakes her own future, and surprises herself by becoming the heroine of her own story - all these elements found in so many of Sanderson’s brilliantly written and powerful female protagonists who aren’t afraid to balance their femininity against fierceness - inspired the Tress Socks.

The Tress Socks are in honor of Sanderson’s female characters. Feminine and soft with their idyllic lace that represents the flowers on Tress’ favorite cup, they are balanced by the undulating waves of eyelet rows, meant to symbolize both the spore seas and boundaries Tress breaks through on her quest. So grab a line (er, yarn), come aboard, and celebrate Tress of the Emerald Sea with these socks!

Materials

Yarn
100 grams (approximately 400 yds.) fingering weight yarn, recommended with a nylon component

Yarn used in photos:
Sock Set: Nomad Yarn Co - Tress Sock Set - Sauvie Sock - 80% Merino / 20% Nylon 2-ply (400 yds/100g)
MC: Pink - 400 yds
CC1: Dark Green - 80 yds
CC2: Light Green - 80 yds

Needles
US 1 (2.25 mm) 40” circular needles (Magic Loop), or size needed to obtain gauge.

Other options: DPNs or 9” circulars; pattern is written for Magic Loop

Notions
3 stitch markers: 1 to mark BOR, 2 to mark Gusset Increases

1 tapestry needle

Gauge and Notes
36 stitches & 48 rows = 4” in Stockinette

Socks are worked in the round from the cuff down on Magic Loop. They include a heel flap and gusset heel construction, with alternating panels of eyelet diamonds and eyelet rows in a main color (shown in pink) and 2 contrasting minis (shown in dark green and light green). Pattern features knits, purls, yarn overs, and decreases. Cuff, leg, foot, and toe are worked in the round, with the heel flap worked flat. Written instructions only are included.

Pattern is written for 3 sizes: Small (56 sts), Medium (64 sts), and Large (72 sts).