Druthers Socks by Fiona Oliver

Druthers Socks

Knitting
June 2017
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
32 stitches and 48 rows = 4 inches
in stocking stitch
US 1 - 2.25 mm
516 yards (472 m)
To fit foot circumference 18 cm/7 in (small), 20 cm/8 in (medium), 23 cm/9 in (large)
English
This pattern is available for AU$6.60 AUD buy it now

About this Design
Some feet are fussier than others when it comes knitting the perfect gift socks.

  • Does my friend want jazzy ankle socks to wear with a vintage swing skirt?
  • Does my friend want socks that will fit well in shoes and boots and look great with jeans/pants?
  • Does my friend like lots of nubby texture or does she prefer a smoother pattern?
  • Does my friend want the luxury of choice – a pair of socks that can be styled for all occasions?

If you have found yourself pondering these sorts of questions in the past and then given up because you’re not sure and you don’t want to spoil the surprise by asking your friend, then happy days are here. The Druthers Socks are fully reversible and can be styled in four (that’s right, count ‘em) different ways that should satisfy even the fussiest wearer.

  1. Fold down the cuff to give a snazzy pair of ankle socks. You’ll get a lovely chained cable look paired with a chunky rough rib cuff.
  2. Turn the socks inside out, and fold down the cuffs again and now you’ll have a smooth wavy look paired with a faux cable rib cuff.
  3. Forget about folding down the cuff and just pop on your socks. Right side out will give you the chained cable look paired with the faux cable rib.
  4. Ring the changes by turning your socks inside out and ét voila, now you have the lovely wavy pattern paired with the chunky rough rib cuff.

Now all you need to do is pick the perfect colour in the perfect yarn … OK, that can be tricky too but I’m not going to go there ☺!

You might also want to go the extra mile and knit your friend the matching Druthers Slouchy Beanie, which is available for purchase in the capitalKNITS Ravelry store.

And in case you’re wondering what druthers means, here’s what the Oxford Dictionary has to say:

NOUN usually one’s druthers (North American informal)

One’s preference in a matter

‘if I had my druthers, I would prefer to be a writer’

Tension
38 stitches x 60 rows over 10 centimetres (4 inches) in stocking (stockinette) stitch, knitted in the round using 2.25 mm (US size 1, UK size 13) needles. A close match for tension is important for this pattern in order to ensure a good fit. Please move up or down a needle size and swatch one more time if your gauge does not match.

Yarn
472 metres/516 yards of 4 ply/fingering weight sock yarn (approximately 100g). The stitch pattern in these socks will be beautifully showcased if you select light to medium colours in semi-solid, tonal semi-solid or speckle colour ways.

The sage/cream sample socks were knitted in White Gum Wool 4 ply sock yarn (80% merino, 20% nylon) in the Silver Gum shade. The White Gum Wool is ethically produced. Follow this link to find out more about this gorgeous Australian yarn. Please note that this yarn must be hand washed in cold water otherwise your socks will felt and shrink!

Needles
A pair of 2.25 mm (US size 1, UK size 13) 61 cm/24 in circular needles or a set of double pointed needles. Optional 2.5 mm (US size 1, UK size 12) circular needles or a set of double pointed needles for the cuff.

Notions
Tapestry/darning needle.

The Pattern
This pattern includes written and charted instructions as well as links to video tutorials (produced by other people) for most of the techniques used in the design.

This pattern has been tech edited by Kathie Popadin of shakeyourbooties.net.

Questions?
Please send all questions to capitalKNITS@icloud.com.

Please note the price of this pattern includes 10% Australian Goods and Services Tax.