Named after Augustin-Jean Fresnel and his work on light polarization, these socks echo the helical nature of light through their one-row spiral striping

The Fresnel Socks are an engaging toe-up project worked in playful helical stripes. The afterthought heel with flap and gusset ensures a great fit without interrupting the rhythm of the stripes. Worked in two or three colors, it’s a perfect stashbuster. Optional calf shaping and a choice of a standard or doubled cuff let you make the most of your yarn.

This pattern has been test knit and professionally tech edited.

Pattern Information

Gauge

36 stitches and 44 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches in stockinette stitch.

Techniques

• Judy Magic Cast On
• Helical one row stripes
• Picking up stitches
• German Short Rows
• Grafting Stitches
• Jeny Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off

Difficulty Level

This pattern is designed for intermediate knitters or adventurous beginners.
The heel is worked using an afterthought construction that incorporates a heel turn and a traditional-looking reinforced heel flap.
While it doesn’t involve inherently complex techniques, helical knitting requires managing color changes
that don’t align with the beginning of the round. The heel placement is fully guided, with no need to cut any yarn regardless of your configuration.
Familiarity with German short rows is recommended. Video tutorials are provided for the cast-on, bind-off, short rows, and grafting techniques.

Sizing

These socks are designed with wide feet in mind and sport two extra stitches (∼0.5 cm / 1/4 inch) in the foot compared to the leg. Choose the size closest to your widest feature, aiming for 10% of negative ease in width. The foot and leg lengths are adjustable. For foot length, ease should range from 10% negative ease to no ease, depending on your fit preference.

Foot: 50, 58, 66, 74, 82 sts / 13.9, 16.1, 18.3, 20.6, 22.8 cm / 5 1/2, 6 1/2, 7 3/8, 8 1/4, 9 1/8 inches

Leg: 48, 56, 64, 72, 80 sts/ 13.3, 15.6, 17.8, 20, 22.2 cm / 5 3/8, 6 1/4, 7 1/8, 8, 8 7/8 inches

Materials

This pattern is intended for fingering weight yarn.

• 20–25g / 80–100m of MC (used for toe, heel, and cuff). If working the double cuff, consider having up to 35-50g / 140-200m available.
• 30–50g / 120–200m of CC1 and CC2 (used for the striped sections). Yarn usage will vary depending on size, foot length, and leg height.

Needles

2.25 mm / US 1 needles for the sock body or the needle size needed to achieve gauge.
Use needles 1 to 2 sizes smaller for the cuff (optional).
The pattern is written to be needle-agnostic. Use your preferred method to knit small circumferences, but note that if you are using small circulars, you will need another method to start the toe.

Notions

• Tapestry needle

• Stitch markers

• Scrap yarn

• If knitting the folded cuff, an additional set of needles (any size up to the gauge needle size)