Even though I have been retired from teaching for a few years now, my internal clock still considers the new year to start in September—that’s when all the big changes start happening—gardens are winding down, visitors are heading home, grandchildren are heading back to school and the knitting season starts revving up!

These socks are a classic for the fall, fairly straightforward with a few little “twists” to keep them interesting! I include a Dutch (square) heel with extra reinforcing under the foot, a rounded cinched toe (no grafting the final stitches) and simple mirror image cables (if that appeals—you can always do the two socks identically if you prefer). If you are new to socks and/or cables, this is a pretty gentle way to ease in!

There are 4 sizes included, 48, 56, 64 and 72 stitches, using a heavy fingering weight yarn, but more sizes can be made by adjusting needle size, gauge and yarn. The pattern as written includes sizes begin with children’s small, going through adult large. Because of the stretchiness of the cable/rib texture, the circumference fits a range of sizes, and both foot and leg length are adjustable, so additional in-between sizes are easily worked.

If you know your gauge on a preferred sock yarn, plug in to the size that you find will work best for you, and switch needle size as needed. Because the pattern fit is so adaptable, feel free to sub in slightly heavier or lighter sock yarns to suit you—just check your gauge carefully so you can be confident of getting the fit you want.

SIZES: 4 sizes—Child Small (Child Large/ Adult Small, Adult Medium, Adult Large)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS:
Circumference around leg/foot, lightly stretched 7 (8, 9, 10) inches
~Leg Length (above heel flap): 5.5 (6.5, 7.5, 8.5) inches (adjustable)
~Foot length: 7 (8.5, 10, 11) inches (adjustable)
Changes to gauge or yarn weight, or adding length, may require extra yarn

GAUGE: 28 sts and 36 rnds = 4”/10cm on gauge size needles over stockinette stitch (worked in the round)

NEEDLES:
US size 2 (2.75mm) or size needed to obtain gauge
Choose needle types base on your preferred method of working small circumferences in the round

YARN: Fingering or Sport weight woolen sock yarn that knits to gauge
-- my samples were worked in Daughter of a Shepherd Drover.

Amounts listed include all yarn needed for a pair—includes optional contrast colors
1—200 yards
2—250 yards
3—350 yards
4—475 yards

I sourced this lovely yarn here in the US at The Woolly Thistle, an on-line shop specializing in woolly wool. This is an affiliate link which generates a small commission for me at no additional cost to you!

Thank you for supporting my work by using this link to purchase your yarn and/or kits, and for choosing one of my designs!

NOTIONS: tapestry needle, 3 stitch markers (1 unique), a 12-inch length of smooth scrap yarn for a holder

SKILLS USED: working in the round, decreasing (k2tog, ssk), picking-up sts, crossing simple cables