These just might be the cutest socks I’ve ever knit. I know I’ll use this pattern again. Thanks, Julie!!

LOVE the Stroll Tonal fingering yarn. It’s so soft and squishy. This is a perfect owl colorway, and check out Knit Picks’ “Thunderhead” and “Mocha” colorways as well for your Owlie endeavors.

The pattern’s stitch symbol description key had me confused right off the bat. It gives two different stitch descriptions for each symbol, based on whether it’s a RS (right side) or WS (wrong side) row. But since this sock is knitted in the round (like most), you’ll mainly be following the RS stitch definitions. The only time you’ll be using the WS stitch definitions is if you choose to extend the owl pattern down into the heel flap which is the only part knitted flat. Others have been confused by this as well, so I thought I should clarify this, since the pattern doesn’t explain this up front. If you are knitting the owlie version of the heel flap, be sure to start with a WRONG SIDE row. Otherwise, the Key/Stitch Description page will not make sense. So row #1 on the owlie heel flap chart is a WRONG SIDE row, as are all the odd numbered rows. You will read this heel chart starting at the bottom from left to right. I slipped the first stitch of each row purlwise. The pattern did not specify how to slip. On all even numbered rows, you’ll read the chart from right to left.

This is an adorable free pattern. Thank you, Julie! Nearly 2000 Ravelry members have completed the socks which is a testament to the cuteness and merits of this pattern.

Julie has provided another free pattern to match - the Owlie Mitts. Check it out:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/owlie-mitts

For these socks, I cast on 64 sts over TWO size 1.75 mm needles to keep the cast-on loose (long tail method). Once the 16 rounds of cuff ribbing were done, I switched to the smaller needles per the pattern instructions.

I used size 6/0 beads purchased at Jo-Ann in the “Dragon Eyes Iris” colorway. There’s a mix of colors, and I picked out the ones that are a tortoise shell gray. I had to use a steel crochet hook size 12 (1 mm). A size 11 hook would fit through the bead hole, but not with the yarn on the hook. It’s a little tricky pulling the yarn through the bead hole with a hook this tiny, but I managed. I used a total of 64 beads for this pair of socks, but I only did two leg chart repeats. If I do 3 leg chart repeats, 80 beads will be required. I had only 3 beads left over after finishing my socks, so I’m glad I just did the 2 repeats on the leg. There were a lot more black beads in the one tube as you can see in my photo at left.

I chose to extend the owls all the way down into the heel flap. Once I completed the heel flap chart, I repeated row #23, because the pattern says to end the heel flap AFTER a wrong side row. This later resulted in me picking up a total of 15 sts along each side of the heel gusset. Although the sock fits me just fine, I usually pick up at least 16 sts along each side for the heel gusset. Therefore, when I knit these again, I’ll most likely knit 2 additional rows on the heel flap to make it a wee bit longer. Also, at the end of each row of the heel flap, I did a knit stitch instead of the purl stitch on the chart. This results in a matching “chain” down each side of the heel flap, making it much easier to pick up stitches for the gusset.

I did a total of 3 instep chart repeats before starting the toe decreases. I did not follow the pattern for the toe portion, preferring the look of stockinette to reverse stockinette. However, I did continue the central design motif all the way to the tip of the toe. When I had 12 stitches on each needle, I stopped and closed with Kitchener stitch. I prefer a less pointy toe.

I can’t get over how cute these socks are! Perhaps I’ll knit the longer cuff next time, because there’s enough yarn in the one skein of Stroll Tonal.

How I did my toe decreases (using 2 circular needles):

The beginning/end of each round will be at the center of Needle 1 which holds the bottom-of-foot sts. Place a marker here. Needle 2 holds the other half of the sts which are the top of the foot.

Rnd 1:

Needle 1 (bottom of foot starting from center marker): Knit all sts
Needle 2 (top of foot): Knit all stitches (EXCEPT follow chart for center motif [[12 sts]] as well as 1st two sts and last two sts)
Needle 1: Knit all sts to marker

Rnd 2 (decrease round):

Needle 1 (bottom of foot starting from center marker): Knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1
Needle 2 (top of foot): K1tbl, P2tog, (Knit but follow chart for center motif 12 sts), Knit to last 3 sts, P2togtbl, K1tbl
Needle 1: K1, SSK, Knit to center marker

Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until you have 12 sts on each needle. Cut yarn, leaving 16 inches. Graft toe closed with Kitchener stitch using tapestry needle.

Since I knit the medium size (with 32 sts on each needle), the toe decrease portion was an additional 20 rounds - about 2 inches. I did not have to do any “toe transition” before starting the decreasing. However, if your foot is longer than my size 8.5 (woman shoe), then you might have to do a few rounds of transition before starting the toe decrease section.

I do a LOT of walking, so I was a bit concerned about putting the beads on these socks. In case you’re wondering, I can’t feel them at all. The socks wouldn’t look nearly as cute without them, so go for it!