If any being of Middle Earth were a knitter, it would be the Hobbits. Fond of snug homes flickering with firelight and all the comforts of a warm blanket, toasty socks, and a steaming beverage at hand to hold off against cold weather, Hobbits live for coziness. Yet what happens when a few brave souls do venture out? They find themselves on a journey that leads them right to the heart of one the darkest, most mysterious parts of their world: Fangorn Forest. Panels of a chevron tree motif whose branches quest for unsuspecting Hobbits at their roots alternate with a seed stitch panel to represent seeds, spores, and – dare we say it – magic floating through the air, while vines entangle just barely over the sides of the feet in two long, flowing cables that are smoothly incorporated into the gusset to create a sense of timelessness that makes these socks work up unbelievably quickly. The Fangorn Forest socks are designed to appeal to your inner Hobbit hygge from the comfort of your favorite chair…while also (maybe) daydreaming of the next adventure just beyond your feet.

Materials

Yarn
100 grams (approximately 400 yds.) fingering weight yarn, recommended with a nylon component

Needles
US 2 (2.75 mm) double-pointed needles or size needed to obtain gauge.

Other options: Longer circulars for Magic Loop or 9” circulars would also work if you’re comfortable translating pattern written for DPNs to those methods.

Notions
Cable needle (optional)
1 stitch marker to mark BOR (optional: additional stitch markers to mark pattern repeats)
1 tapestry needle

Gauge & Notes
30 stitches & 45 rows = 4” in Stockinette

Socks are worked in the round on DPNs from the top down, and include a heel flap and gusset heel construction, with cables running alongside the gusset decreases to give a seamless flow from leg to foot. Pattern features knits and purls, slipped stitches, simple 2 x 2 cables, in-the-round (cuff, leg, foot and toe) and flat construction (heel flap) techniques. Both written and charted instructions are included.

Pattern is written for 3 sizes: Small (60 sts), Medium (66 sts), and Large (72 sts).

For easy visual reference sizes are color-coded.