About the pattern
‘Seashells’ are ankle socks with smocked stitch print and unusual gusset construction. When I first saw this stitch, I found it so cute and feminine, that I immediately wanted to use it for a design for my little daughter. This is why the pattern now has a wide size range, starting with ~5y.o.
This socks are knit from the top down in the round. The cuff is worked in smocked stitch print, which reminds me of an open scallop shell, hence the pattern name. There is not much of a leg since it’s an ankle sock, so you move on to classic heel flap in slip-stitch rib for extra stability. The foot is worked in stockinette with smocked stitch along center top. Sides of the foot are worked in twisted rib to ensure that the sock stays put (despite the short leg and no rib in the cuff). Decreases are worked along center of the sole to pull the gussets in. When the gussets are finished, you continue decreases along the sides to gradually bring the rib to a point, while keeping the stitch count stable with increases along center of the sole. This unusual construction gives a snug anatomic fit, aesthetic look and lots of interest throughout the pattern.
I hope you enjoy knitting them and maybe learn a new technique or two, and the resulting pair will bring warmth and joy to you (or the lucky person you gift it to).

Find more projects from this pattern on instagram under hashtag #Seashells_socks
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4 sizes:
XS (S, M, L) to fit ~EUR 34-35.5 (36-37.5, 38-39.5, 49-41) or US 4.5-5.5 (6-7, 7.5-8.5, 9-10)

Yarn: any classic sock yarn (fingering weight ~400-420m/435-460yds per 100g/3.5oz)
You will need a total of ~40 (45, 50, 60)g/1.4 (1.6, 1.8, 2.1) oz for a pair.
I recommend using yarns with little to no fuzz and rather even color (solid / slightly tonal / slow gradient) and avoid heavy speckling or variegation to show off the print best and not get it ‘muddy’.

Needles: I’ve knit all my samples using 5 wooden Lykke DPNs in size 2.25mm/US 1 (main). For the cuff you will also need size 2.75mm/US2 (or 0.5mm/1 size larger than your main ones).
You can use any preferred method: magic loop, three needles, or short circulars.
Make sure to swatch until you get gauge!

Gauge: 32-33 stitches х 43 rows in 10х10cm/4x4” in stockinette after wet-blocking

Notions: 3-6 stitch markers (depending on your type of needles), tapestry needle, scissors

Techniques used

• Classic long-tail cast on
• Smocked stitches (video-tutorial included)
• Basic decreases (k2tog, p2tog, ssk)
• Lifted increases (right and left)
• Reading charted instructions (optional)
• Grafting with Kitchener stitch

Pattern tech-edited and translated into English by Olga Barshai GingerHandcrafts