Bearfeet are cuff-down stranded colorwork socks with a row of little bear faces marching round the leg. They are knit in two colors of DK yarn, which makes them a quick, cozy stranded colorwork project, and the bears are charted so they are easy to follow.

Each sock has a no-hole heel flap, a gusset worked in the round, and a ribbed cuff. The bear pattern repeats around the leg and the paw prints on the cuff and across the top of the foot, and the toe is a simple decrease closed with a Finchley graft. The pattern comes in 7 sizes, from 20 to 32 cm (8 to 12.5 in) around the foot, and includes charts for every size plus step-by-step written instructions.

The pattern is inspired by Finnish bear folklore. The bear was never called by its true name; it was otso, kontio or mesikämmen, honey-paw, and the pattern comes with a short story about it.

What you need: about 240–280 m (260–300 yd) of DK yarn in two colors, 4.5 mm (US 7) double-pointed needles or a long circular for magic loop, 4 stitch markers and a tapestry needle. The sample uses Garnstudio Drops Lima in Pearl Grey and Deep Blue.

Skills used: stranded colorwork, reading color charts, a heel flap with a gusset, picking up stitches, the Finchley graft. Video tutorials for the last two are linked in the pattern.

Pattern is test knitted and tech edited.

Available in English and Finnish. Karhunjalat-sukat on suomeksi kirjoneulesukat.