Serab is the first pattern to be released from the upcoming book, Silk Road Socks: 14 Patterns Inspired by Oriental Rugs, due out in January 2010. Featuring 14 all-new sock patterns, the book includes a history of the Silk Road, information about oriental rugs, and helpful sizing guides every sock knitter will love.

Serab (sometimes spelled Sarab) is a town in northwestern Iran. It serves as a market for rugs from about two dozen villages in the surrounding region. Rugs from this area have occasionally been called Serapis. Because of the style of loom used in the region, Serabs are almost always long and narrow. They are usually camel-colored with blue and red accents. They have sometimes been rumored to be made of camel hair, though alas, that is just a legend. The strong vertical lines, diamond-shaped motifs, and warm color of this sock all reflect the elements common to Serabs.