STARGAZER SOCKS are fun to knit colourwork socks with a simple and easy to memorize star motif and an afterthought heel. The pattern includes two sets of instructions allowing you to choose whether to work them from toe up, or cuff down. To make it even more fun and engaging, I made my samples switching the main and contrast colours between the socks, however you can definitely make both socks in the pair identical.

SIZES AND FINISHED MEASUREMENTS:

1 (2) 3 (4) equivalent to 54 (63) 72 (81) sts

Finished sock circumference: 16 (18.5) 21 (24) cm / 6.5 (7.5) 8.5 (9.5) inches (unstretched after light blocking). Please consider that your socks need to fit with a negative ease of 5 - 10 % when choosing your size. These socks need less negative ease than plain stockinette or ribbed socks, since colourwork is usually less stretchy

YARN:
Sample 1 (72 sts): Snowdonia Sock from Garthenor Organic, worsted spun Romney and Hebridean wool, 50 grams – 200 m / 219 yds in cols. Sundue and Moel Hebog
Sample 2 (72 sts): Tukuwool Sock from Tukuwool, 80% Finnish Sheep Wool, 20 % biodegradable polyamide, 100 grams - 320 m / 350 yds in cols. Havu and Ujo

YARN SUBSTITUTION:
Fingering / Heavy fingering weight to achieve gauge

YARDAGE (for fingering weight yarn as shown in sample 1):
MC / CC each: 135 (158) 180 (205) m / 148 (173) 197 (224) yds
Please note that your actual yarn consumption will depend on yarn choice, gauge and any alterations you might make to the pattern. You will need higher quantities of MC yarn if you decide to make an identical pair

GAUGE:
34 sts / 40 rnds per 10 cm / 4 inches in colourwork pattern on size B and on size A needles in stockinette in the round after washing and light blocking (not stretched).

NEEDLES:
Size A: 2 mm / US 0 circular needles for magic loop or other to achieve gauge in stockinette in the round
Size B: 2.25 mm / US 1 circular needles for magic loop or other to achieve gauge in colourwork.
Please note that needle size is just a suggestion, you might need to change the size of your needles to achieve gauge.

NOTIONS:
Tapestry needle, measuring tape, 2 stitch markers including unique marker for beginning of round, row counter, scissors, smooth fingering or lace weight waste yarn for the afterthought heel (use yarn high in contrast to your MC and CC).

TECHNIQUES USED IN THE PATTERN:
Turkish OR Judy’s magic cast on for toe-up version
Tubular OR German twisted OR any other stretchy cast on for cuff-down version
Tubular OR any other stretchy bind off for toe-up version
Grafting live sts together (Kitchener stitch)
Colourwork in the round
Knit increases and decreases
Following colourwork charts
Knit / Purl