For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,
The oppressor’s wrong, the proud man’s contumely,
The pangs of dispriz’d love, the law’s delay,
The insolence of office and the spurns
That patient merit of the unworthy takes,
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin? Who would fardels bear,
To grunt and sweat under a weary life,
But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscovered country from whose bourn
No traveller returns, puzzles the will
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of?
Hamlet, Act 3, Scene i

Skill Level: Intermediate, due to many small cables and sock construction
Materials: approximately 380-430 yds (350-390 m) of sock yarn. The socks pictured are a size large that used approx. 400 yds (365m) of Abstract Fiber Temptation in the color “Silver”
Needles: Size US1 (2.25mm) sock needles (pattern is written for either DPNs or Magic Loop)
Tools: A cable needle, if necessary, scissors, tapestry needle, and measuring tape
Gauge: 8 stitches and 12 rounds per inch (2.5cm) in stockinette stitch
Sizing: Small (Medium, Large) sizes measure 8 (9,10) inches or 20.3 (22.9,25.4) cm in circumference. Leg height, ankle depth, and foot length are all adjustable to fit and preference.

Abbreviations
K= knit
P= purl
S= slip
K2tog= knit two together
P2tog= purl two together
SSK= work a slip,slip,knit
Ktbl= Knit through the back loop
K2tbl= Knit through the back loop, twice (two individual stitches)
Ptbl= Purl through the back loop
P2tbl= Purl through the back loop, twice (two individual stitches)
All other stitches are defined in the chart key, and include a variety of small twisted stitch cables.