Taing Fair Isle Socks by Janette Budge

Taing Fair Isle Socks

Knitting
September 2022
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
32 stitches and 32 rows = 4 inches
in stranded colourwork
US 1½ - 2.5 mm
US 2½ - 3.0 mm
328 - 383 yards (300 - 350 m)
To fit ankle: 21-23 (24-26) cm / 8.25-9 (9.5-10.25) inches
English
This pattern is available for £6.00 GBP
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SIZE
Small (Medium); approx UK women’s 5 (7)
To fit ankle: 21-23 (24-26) cm / 8.25-9 (9.5-10.25) inches
To fit foot circumference at widest: 20-22 (23-25) cm / 8-8.75 (9-9.75) inches
To fit foot length: 21.5-23.5 (23-25) cm / 8.5-9.25 (9-9.75) inches
Actual ankle circumference (unstretched): 20 (22.5) cm / 8 (9) inches
Actual foot circumference (unstretched): 19 (21.25) cm / 7.5 (8.25) inches
Actual leg length to top of heel: 12 cm / 4.75 inches Actual foot length (adjustable): 21 (24) cm / 8.25
(9.5) inches

MATERIALS
Aister ‘oo’ (2ply equivalent to a 4ply / fingering weight; 100% Shetland wool; approx 100m / 109 yds per 25g ball)
3 (3) x 25g balls in Yarn A: Bessaquoy
1 x 25g ball each in
Yarn B: Nort Blue Geo
Yarn C: Sooth Blue Geo
Yarn D: Nortower
Yarn E: Catpund

2.5mm / US#1.5 DPNs or needles suitable for your preferred method of working small circumferences
3mm / US#2-3 DPNs or needles suitable for your preferred method of working small circumferences
Stitch markers
Tapestry needle

TENSION
32 stitches and 32 rounds to 10cm over colourwork, after blocking, using 3mm needles.
33 stitches and 36 rounds to 10cm over stocking stitch, after blocking, using 2.5mm needles and holding 2 strands alternated each st.
32 stitches and 34 rounds to 10cm over stocking stitch, after blocking, using 3mm needles and holding 2 strands alternated each st.
Please check your tension and adjust your needle size accordingly.

PATTERN NOTES
These socks are worked cuff down. The cuff is knit in a k1, p1 rib, followed by a Fair Isle colourwork stranded leg section, with 2 colours in each round. The heel flap is worked in stockinette, reinforced by using 2 strands of the main colour alternately, similar to knitting stranded colourwork.

This method of knitting is continued over the rest of the foot to give strength and wear to the sock. Gusset stitches are picked up along the heel flap.
Using 2 strands alternating gives a stronger, denser knitted fabric: this should be taken into account when choosing your size, as these socks have less stretch than standard.