There is something very special about the start of summer in England. The arrival of the swifts and swallows from their winter homes hints at the excitement of the coming season. But it is the 1st May and the traditional village fete that truly signifies the start of summer.

After a cold winter season cooped up in their country cottages, the residents of the villages of England spring forth on May Day to celebrate the start of warmer weather. Stalls selling cakes and jams surround the village green. At its centre stands the maypole and its many ribbons, all set for the start of the maypole dance.

This was my inspiration for the ‘Village Fete Socks’. The streams of lace which run down the front of the socks represent the ribbons that the maypole dancers hold. The garter band which runs down the back of the leg is the maypole.

I also wanted to depict the feeling of the village fete itself and its wonderful stalls. So the colourway I used for this design is ‘Wild Strawberries’, which very well could be the flavour of a jam you might pick up on the next time you visit a village fete.

The yarn is by Sherry Iris Designs and is also part of the Flower Power Fund for May 2020.

THANK YOU ALL FOR PURCHASING THIS PATTERN THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF MAY 2020. YOU ALL HELP TO RAISE A TOTAL OF £605 FOR MARIE CURIE !!!!

The design comes in 3 sizes, and is both written and charted.