The Hello Flower socks were designed as a complementary accessory for the Hello Flower Sweater pattern. My parents always used pet names for us: duck, sparrow, sunshine, sunflower, love. While working on the yoke of the Hello Flower Sweater, as soon as I saw the little badger face start to emerge from the flowers, I thought, ‘well, hello there flower.’

These socks are knit cuff down, increasing stitches and changing needle size for the colourwork to accommodate the less stretchy fabric of stranded knitting. I start with a US1 (2.25 mm) needle and increase to a US1½ (2.5 mm) for the colourwork. The heel is an Eye of Partridge slipped-stitch heel flap and the toe is grafted together.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS:
Approx. circumference in stockinette, not stretched, after blocking: 6¼ (7, 8) inches/ 15.5 (17.5, 20) cm
Approx. circumference in stranded, not stretched, after blocking: 7¼ (8, 9¼) inches/18 (20, 23) cm

YARN USED in photo:
Allison Barnes Yarn Basic Sock fingering yarn, 80% superwash merino wool/ 20% nylon, 420 yds/115g,
MC: Ruby (dark pink)
CC1: Periwinkle (blue)
CC2: Marigold (yellow)
CC3: Bare It All (white)
CC4: Deep Chestnut (dark brown)

TOOLS:
For ribbing, foot, heel, and toe: US1 (2.25mm) dpns or circular needles for preferred method of knitting, or size needed to obtain gauge
For colourwork: US1½ (2.5mm) dpns or circular needles for preferred method of knitting, or size needed to obtain gauge
Stitch markers
Tapestry Needle
Scissors
Tape Measure

GAUGE:
Using US1½ (2.5 mm) after blocking, over stranded pattern, knit in the round: 36 sts x 44 rounds = 4 inches (10cm)
Using US1 (2.25 mm) after blocking, over stockinette, knit in the round: 36 sts x 46 rounds = 4 inches (10cm)

This pattern has been tech edited by Sigrun Jones and tested by volunteers.