Tuonela River Socks — Cable Sock Knitting Pattern

Knit a little Finnish mythology into your wardrobe. Tuonela River Socks is a cuff-down cable sock knitting pattern in DK-weight yarn, featuring contrasting textures and a mirrored design.

In Finnish mythology, the Tuonela River separates the living from the dead. Here, winding cables trace that boundary between smooth stockinette and mist-like garter stitch—a little wearable folklore for your feet.

The socks mirror one another, with garter stitch intended to face outward. Wear them whichever way tells your story.

Download the PDF and support independent design

The downloadable pattern is €5, and your purchase supports me, the designer, directly. The pattern is available in English and Finnish.

The original English version remains free to read on the Knitty website. Choose the paid PDF if you’d like a downloadable version while supporting my work.

Pattern features

• Knitted in the round from the cuff down
• Winding cables along the front and back of the leg
• Contrasting garter stitch and stockinette textures
• Mirrored left and right socks
• Shaped legs, heel flaps and gussets
• Grafted toes
• Seven sizes: XXS–XXL, covering child and adult sizes
• Written construction instructions with cable charts

Yarn and materials

Use DK-weight sock yarn that meets the stated gauge. The original sample uses Novita 7 Veljestä Pohjola, a wool-and-nylon blend in the colour Ruka.

Suggested needles: 4 mm / US 6, or the size needed to obtain gauge.

You will also need four stitch markers and a cable needle (should you choose to use one)

Gauge

22 stitches and 28 rounds = 10 cm / 4 inches in stockinette stitch in the round.

Sizes and fit

Finished foot circumferences:
14 (16.5, 18.5, 19.5, 21.5, 23.5, 25.5) cm /
5.75 (6.5, 7.25, 7.75, 8.5, 9.25, 10) inches.

Choose a size approximately 1 cm / ½ inch smaller than your actual foot circumference for a snug fit. Knit the foot to suit the wearer’s foot length.

A Nordic story, one stitch at a time

Originally published in Knitty, Winter 2021, these textured cable socks bring together practical warmth and a darker thread of Finnish folklore.

Add Tuonela River Socks to your queue, or purchase the PDF to cast on—and support the next Artesanitarium design.

Suomenkielinen neuleohje saatavilla

Tuonela River tai suomeksi Tuonelan Joki sukat on varresta aloitettava palmikkosukka jossa sileä neule ja ainaoikeinneule kohtaavat kiemurtelevien palmikoiden reunustamina. Sukat neulotaan toistensa peilikuviksi, varresta varpaisiin.

Ladattava PDF-ohje maksaa 5 €, ja ostamalla tuet suoraan työtäni neulesuunnittelijana. Englanninkielinen ohje on saatavilla ilmaiseksi Knitty.com-sivustolla.