From my own summers in Michigan while growing up, I learned to hunt for and prize the local fossil stones found on the beaches and dunes of the northwestern lower part of the State. I’m using a small, rounded motif to hopefully mimic a Petoskey Stone. It seems counter-intuitive to decrease stitches by half at the beginning, but increasing back up to the original stitch count in the next row compensates nicely.

Even the tiniest hexagonal motifs I tried seemed too big or the stitch definition wasn’t there because of the alpaca in the yarn.

These socks are for Debbie who is realizing her dream of moving to Traverse City, a land where Petoskey Stones are fairly common…

They are also for the Bring Your Own BOO! KAL in the SK Group. The idea takes its inspiration from this classic little bit of 20th Century American Culture:

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Toe up on 2 short circulars
Gusset toe to 72 sts
Mini-flap & gusset short row heel
Increased to 80 sts above ankle
2X2 Ribbing (12 rounds)
Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off

When stretched out, the leg expands to 11” but when unstretched it measures 8.”

The foot/instep stretches to about 10” but measures 7.5” when relaxed.

Gauge on the sole is 9 st/”

Debbie will have to hand wash these socks. Even so, they may felt a bit with wear, but they ought to be warm!