These socks are knitted from the top down and have a standard heel flap and gusset. The Southwestern design was inspired by the geometric patterns in Navajo rugs.

There is no color stranding in this design. The patterns are done with mosaic knitting, in which only one yarn color is used per round, and slipped stitches build the pattern by pulling up the other color. Because of the slip-stitch knitting the fabric tends to be tighter and less stretchy, so a larger needle size is needed for the mosaic sections.

Dec 16, 2010: Published free pattern. Merry Christmas!

Note about yarns: this pattern calls for thicker sock yarn - heavy fingering or sport weight. Besides Prism Merino Mia, here are some yarns I recommend: Mountain Colors Bearfoot, Fiesta Baby Boom, and Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sport.