This is my favourite cable design – I love it so much that I’ve used it on a few of my patterns (do you know which ones? Answers below!). I designed these socks with comfort in mind. As I was knitting them, I imagined wearing them while snuggled down in my favourite chair, with my favourite snacks and a good series to stream. The stitches were soothing on my needles, and I knew that when the knitting was done, I’d have a pair of socks to keep me at just the right temperature.

The Gael Socks is one of eight patterns I created especially for Yarndale 2017, alongside a now discontinued yarn that was launched that same year. The yarn was spun in Donegal, so I chose Irish names for all of the designs. Gael (pronounced “gale”) is the Irish word for an Irish person or a Scottish highlander – the essence of identity.

I love the cable on this sock – it’s one of my favourites. You might also spot it on the Farrimond Cardigan, the Farrimond Cushion, the Craic Mittens and the Faremanne Cardigan. On the Farrimond Cushion, I wrote about the meaning behind each cable. I love the history of knitting – I find it so amazing.

CONSTRUCTION
Knitted on double pointed needles in the round in one piece from the cuff down.

TECHNIQUES USED
Cast on, knit, purl, double pointed needles, in the round, decreasing, 6 cable techniques, grafting stitches together. Optional but recommended to create the feeling of joy when joining your stitches: three needle cast off.

YARN
One 100g hank of BRE Donegal Twists DK for the short version
72% Merino & 28% British Wool, 270m/295yds per 100g
One 100g hank each of BRE Donegal Twists DK in shade A & shade B for the long version

SUGGESTED KNITTING NEEDLES
3.25mm set of four double pointed needles.

NOTIONS
Cable needle.

GAUGE (tension)
22 stitches and 30 rows to 10cm square over stocking stitch. I obtained this gauge with 3.25mm needles.
It is important to obtain gauge so do swatch and change your needle size to achieve the correct gauge if you need to.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
UK size 4-5 or desired foot length as highlighted in the pattern.

NEED HELP?
I am here for you! Pop into the Skipton studio, send an email, or check out the Purl &Jane YouTube channel for tips, inspiration and guidance including handy resources like gauge (tension) guides and how to tutorials.