This pattern was designed for Round 5 of Sock Madness 16, and is now publicly available.

The pattern is intended for a full skein plus one mini skein of sock yarn.

This sock pattern is constructed toe-up, starting with a whirlpool toe and offset cabled heart detail. Toes are mirrored on right and left socks. The toe heart is embroidered with a strand of contrast color yarn and is inspired by nail string art. The heel is a “Keel Heel” construction, a toe-up heelflap and gusset with slipped stitch reinforcement and converging decreases. The heart pattern on the leg of the sock is achieved using the “Stacked Stitches” technique originally invented by Xandy Peters.

Sample socks are knit in Less Traveled Yarn “757 Sock”, with MC Barley and CC Hemlock.

Sizes: Extra Small (Small, Medium, Large), corresponding to 7(7.75, 8.75, 9.75)”/18 (20, 22, 25)cm foot circumference with ~10% negative ease and 54(63, 70, 79) sts around foot. Foot length is fully adjustable.

Materials:
• Size US 1/2.25 mm double point needles or circular needles for magic loop, or size needed to obtain gauge
o Stockinette gauge: 36 sts & 52 rows = 4”/10 cm
o Due to the high tension of the stacked stitch technique, wooden needles are not recommended, as they may break.
• Light Fingering weight yarn, approx. 290(340, 370, 420) yds/ 265(310, 340, 385)m Main Color and 60(68, 75, 92) yds/ 55(62, 69, 84)m Contrast Color
• 6 stitch markers
• Tapestry needle
• Tape measure or ruler
• Cable needle or skills to perform cables without
• Darning egg, lightbulb or other object to stabilize fabric for embroidery

Changes from Sock Madness version:
• Stitch map for stacked stitch rounds! Kind of like a chart for those who want to see relationships between stitches
• Large Toe errata incorporated
• LLI increase instructions changed to match the more common way of doing it
• Small Left Toe increases rearranged to make instep division cleaner
• Low Stress k3tog/k5tog alternate instructions
• Other minor tweaks for clarity