This sock design is inspired by one of my daughter’s favorite books, The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin, which features recurring illustrations of balloons throughout the book. My daughter loves balloons and we love reading this book together! For these socks, I wanted to capture the feeling of joy and optimism for a child’s future that is conveyed in the book. These socks feature 8 balloons that wrap around the leg, stacked in 2 rows (or 4 in a single row for the smallest sizes). Most are ordinary balloons, but 1 is a special heart shape to reflect the single heart balloon found on one page of the book.

This pattern includes 3 children sizes and 4 adult sizes, and the balloons can be worked in either intarsia (blue sample) or stranded colorwork (pastel variegated sample).

Demo videos are included on how to work intarsia in the round, the folded cuff, and how to finish the balloons. Two full pages of tips are included on working intarsia, stranded colorwork, and general sock making advice! To handle the long floats for the stranded version, I recommend using ladderback jacquard. Placement lines for the ladders are included in the pattern for you to optionally use!

Construction
Socks are knit cuff-down with a 1x1 rib folded cuff or regular cuff - both ways include a colorful trim on top. The balloons on the leg are worked either with the intarsia in the round method or stranded colorwork method. The socks are mirrored so that one balloon on the outer edge of each sock is in the shape of a heart. The heel is constructed using a heel flap and gusset, with a honeycomb brioche texture on the flap. The foot is finished in stockinette so that you are home free with easy knitting for the rest of the sock! It ends with a decorative color on the bottom half of the toe to complement the cuff trim. The sock is finished with embroidery for the little tie at the bottom of the balloon and the string, and duplicate stitch for the highlight.

Sizes
Toddler (Child S, L) (Adult S, M, L, XL)
Stitch count: 40 (44, 48) (56, 64, 72, 80) sts
To fit foot circumference: 5.5 (6, 6.5) (8, 9, 10, 11)” / 14 (15, 16.5) (20.5, 23, 25.5, 28) cm
Actual sock foot circumference: 5 (5.5, 6) (7, 8, 9, 10)” / 12.5 (14, 15) (18, 20.5, 23, 25.5) cm

Choose a size with approx 0.5” / 1.25 cm of negative for Toddler and Child sizes, and 1” / 2.5 cm of negative ease for Adult sizes.

Yarn
This project was a special collaboration with Amanda of Birch & Lily! She dyed up coordinating sock sets, both of which are available to buy in her shop!

Birch & Lily Fiber Co. Birch Sock, 100g / 400 yards; 80% SW Merino, 20% Nylon. Each sock set includes one 100g skein for the MC and four 10g minis for the CCs.

Intarsia sample (blue tonal) shown in Brave and Bright Sock Set.

Stranded colorwork sample (pastel variegated) shown in Wonderful Things Sock Set.

Approx yardage
MC: 30 (43, 54) (68, 83, 102, 120) g / 120 (172, 216) (272, 332, 408, 480) yds / 113 (162, 204) (256, 313, 384, 452) m

Each CC will need about 3 (4, 5) (6, 7, 9, 10) g / 12 (16, 20) (24, 28, 36, 40) yds / 12 (16, 19) (23, 27, 34, 38) m

Yardage includes the folded cuff.

For the finishing details, you will also need scrap yarn in white, or desired color.

Pattern has been tech edited and test knitted. Special thanks to my tech editor, Heather Storta! Feel free to tag me on Instagram ( @oakwood.knits ) with your projects, I would love to see them!