Steaming rain by Lorraine Rayson

Steaming rain

Knitting
May 2026
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
36 stitches and 40 rows = 4 inches
US 1 - 2.25 mm
383 - 437 yards (350 - 400 m)
A-63 (B-72, C-83) sts
low vision format available
English
This pattern is available as a free Ravelry download


Steaming rain
The motif in this design reminded me of the steam sometimes seen coming off a hot surface after rain.

This is a fun and easy design with no long floats, perfect for knitters new to stranded colourwork socks.

These socks are knitted toe up and feature a rounded wedge toe and heel flap and gusset. The heel flap is worked in slipped stitch pattern.



Pattern information

Sizing
A-63 (B-72, C-83) sts
Finished circumference (approximately):
Gauge of 36 sts: 17.5 (20, 23) cm/7 (8, 9.25) inches.
– To fit a foot circumference of 17.5 (20, 23) cm/7 (8, 9.25) inches.
Gauge of 32 sts: 19.5 (22.5, 26) cm/7.75 (9, 10.25) inches.
– To fit a foot circumference of 19.5 (22.5, 26) cm/7.75 (9, 10.25) inches.

Yarn
Light fingering / fingering weight sock yarn in 2 colours with good contrast.
Allow 60-80 g for MC and 40-60 g for CC. Solid, semi-solid or tonal colourways would work well for this design.

Gauge (worked in the round and measured after washing and laying flat to dry)
36 sts/40 rounds= 10 cm/4 inches over stranded colourwork.
The sock fit is similar to a stockinette stitch sock.

Needles (for working small circumference in the round)
2.25 mm/US1 needles (or size required to achieve gauge).

Pattern formats
The instructions for the construction of the socks are written and the charts are both charted and written.

Low vision accessible
A low vision accessible version of this pattern are also available.
This version include 24 point Arial all black text, no italics, no columns or tables and fully written instructions. There are charts included but the charts are not needed to complete the pattern.

Thank you
Thank you to ShahMallow, peebs, Bells5r1, stickfia, AndraGroza, Schmuckkoerbchen, JeepGirl and other testers.

A huge thanks also to yarnymama and yalta for their ongoing valued advice, guidance, feedback and encouragement.