My husband asked for a new hat. He wanted it in the colours of his favourite football team, but it shouldn’t be a “football hat”. I did my best!

This toe-up sock has an easy to remember stranded pattern, with a pinstriped sole and gusset

This toe-up sock begins as a simple ribbed sock. It finishes as a simple ribbed sock as well, it’s what happens in between that’s interesting! The transition from one style of rib to another forms a spiral around the sock, mirrored between the two.

This toe-up sock uses a wide flat cable pattern on the front, with a wide rib on the back of the leg for a better fit. The socks are mirrored so the pattern provides separate instructions where necessary.

This toe-up sock features a simple pattern of knits and purls, along with a slipped stitch heel flap.

The town where I grew up used to be well known for making house bricks. Consequently, there is some fantastic brickwork in the town, it’s not unusual to see one house with three or four differently coloured bricks.

I’ve always loved all the traditional styles and techniques of knitwear from the British Isles, and have for a long time been planning to design a traditional Fair Isle jumper. You could say I’m starting small!

This toe-up sock is really a ribbed design, but with a difference - the gusset springs out of the central column, giving the socks their distinctive diagonal appearance.

These toe-up socks are a great introduction to Japanese lace, with a simple pattern that is easy to remember. Twisted stitches combine with eyelets to create a lovely pattern that covers the whole of the sock.

These stranded colourwork socks are knit toe-up, with a traditional flap and gusset, with a striped toe and corrugated ribbing.

This crescent shaped shawl uses a combination of garter stitch, stripes and simple lace, made more interesting by short rows shaping the different sections.

Bands of stocking stitch and reverse stocking stitch make this cowl comfortably squishy, while brightly coloured bobbles and picot edging make it really stand out from the crowd.

This toe-up sock has a series of elongated cables, staggered around the leg so they form a spiral. It is a re-working of one of my early designs Belgravia, no longer available. This new version boasts more sizes, an improved method of making the cables and a different heel.

This toe up sock features a lacy pattern, reminiscent of leaves, framed by tiny cables. The heel is worked in Eye of Partridge pattern.

This is a toe-up sock with a traditional heel flap and gusset construction. The design is classic but not dull, with nods towards Art Deco styling.

A combination of cables and moss stitch panels decorate the sides of these toe-up socks, with the leg pattern continued in a slightly more simple form on the foot.

A note about the files

This pattern is for a basic toe-up sock with a gusset and reinforced heel flap, suitable for both men and women. There is a choice of style of heel flap – standard Heel Stitch or Eye of Partridge. Although there are detailed instructions given for four sizes, there is also a section that explains how to use this as a starting point for a smalle...

This classic design uses only knit and purl stitches to create an interesting spiralling effect, with the socks being mirror images of each other. It was originally designed for my husband who doesn’t like his socks too fussy, but it has enough interest to stop you being bored while you make it. It works well with plain, tonal or self-striping ...

One of my favourite things in my garden is Clematis Montana. It twines around our front door, creating a glorious spectacle as it mingles with a deep red rose. Montana awakes from its winter sleep in the middle of spring and when I see those fat buds starting to form, for me it signals the beginning of summer.

I’m sure everyone has their own idea of the “perfect” vanilla sock - well this is mine. After much trial and error I think this has the ideal mix of toes, heels and cuffs. I hope you’ll agree!