Vexing Socks by Lise Mendel

Vexing Socks

Knitting
October 2015
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
40 stitches and 48 rows = 4 inches
in stockinette
US 1 - 2.25 mm
US 2 - 2.75 mm
600 yards (549 m)
Large
English
This pattern is available for $1.99 USD buy it now

These socks, when worn as a pair, show the viewer the Maryland state flag. In order to create this, the socks are ‘fraternal twins’, and are knit with asymmetric toes so there’s never any chance to get the flag ‘backwards’.

Because the stranded legs make the socks rather snug, it is strongly recommended that you go up a needle size and knit them ‘inside out’. This makes the socks unsuitable for a ‘timid knitter’, but I would like to think they’re worth the challenge. The stranding also uses up more yarn than most socks do.

There are a couple of stitches between the flag repeats, so it would be possible to make the socks a little bit smaller.

The pattern includes two PDF downloads. The Crossland and Calvert banners are charted out, and a separate PDF has the complete sock knitting directions.

The socks take black, white, red and gold sock yarn. These colors might take a little bit of searching for. If you are a sports fan you might choose to get rid of red and/or gold and substitute in orange and/or purple.

I hope you enjoy the socks. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.