The Snowbound Fair Isle Socks cater to both seasoned knitters proficient in colorwork and newcomers eager to explore this technique. Designed for those seeking a relaxing yet visually impactful project, these socks boast uncomplicated patterns that avoid long floats, ensuring a smooth knitting experience. The colorwork, featured exclusively on the legs, strikes a balance between simplicity and striking detail, complemented by textured rows that add depth and interest.
Emphasizing practicality, these socks are crafted with the understanding that the majority will be worn inside shoes. This thoughtful design choice ensures comfort while allowing the intricate colorwork to shine on the visible parts of the sock.
Time: 1 weekend.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Sizes written as XS (S, M, L, XL): with a finished foot circumference: 7 (7.5, 8, 8.5, 9)” to fit a foot circumference of 6.5 (7, 7.5, 8, 8.5)”.
0.5 – 1” negative ease intended.
Shown in size M/ 7.5”.
Please keep in mind that the stranded leg section has less stretch then the stockinette foot of the sock.
Gauge: 32 sts and 40 rows = 4” [10 cm] in colourwork after wet blocking.
36 Sts and 44 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st after wet blocking.
Materials
Yarn: Lang Yarns Jawoll Superwash (75% virgin wool/ 25% nylon; 230 yards [210 meters] / 1,75 ounces [50 grams]): 83.0061 Red (CC1), 83.0209 Pink (CC2), 83.0188 Petrol (CC3), 83.0372 Mint (CC4), 1 ball in each color is required for each size.
Needles: US size 1.5 (2.5 mm) set of 5 double pointed needles and US size 2 (2.75 mm) set of 5 double pointed needles OR preferred circular needles for sock knitting in same sizes.
Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors.
Pattern Notes
The socks are knit in the round from the cuff down. Featuring a heel flap and gusset construction and 5 different sizes these socks ensure the perfect fit. There are several bands of colourwork patterning on the leg separated by rows of knits and purls that add texture. The foot is kept simple and just knit. Just before the toe there is another row of textured banding.
Pattern
Cuff
With CC1 CO 64 (68, 72, 76, 80) on larger needles and join to knit in the rnd. Pm to mark beg of rnd.
Rnd 1: Join CC2. Work cuff chart row 1 to end of rnd. Repeat chart 16 (17, 18, 19, 20) times per rnd.
Rnd 2-9: Work cuff chart row 2 to end of rnd.
Cut CC1 and CC2 leaving a tail to weave in later.
Rnd 10: Join CC3 and CC4. Work cuff chart row 3 to end of rnd.
Rnd 11-18: Work cuff chart row 4 to end of rnd.
Cut CC3 and CC4 leaving a tail to weave in later.
Leg
Rnd 1: Join CC1, k.
Rnd 2: With CC1, p.
Rnd 3: Join CC2, k.
Rnd 4: With CC1, k.
Rnd 5: With CC1, p.
Rnd 6-10: Work leg chart 1 to end of rnd.
Cut CC1 and CC2 leaving a tail to weave in later.
Rnd 11: Join CC3, k.
Rnd 12: With CC3, p.
Rnd 13: Join CC4, k.
Rnd 14: With CC3, k.
Rnd 15: With CC3, p.
Rnd 16-22: Work leg chart 2 to end of rnd.
Cut CC3 and CC4 leaving a tail to weave in later.
Rnd 23: Join CC2, k.
Rnd 24: With CC2, p.
Rnd 25: Join CC1, k.
Rnd 26: With CC2, k.
Rnd 27: With CC2, p.
Rnd 28-32: Work leg chart 3 to end of rnd.
Cut CC1 and CC2 leaving a tail to weave in later.
Rnd 33: Join CC4, k.
Rnd 34: With CC4, p.
Rnd 35: Join CC3, k.
Rnd 36: With CC4, k.
Rnd 37: With CC4, p.
Rnd 38-44: Work leg chart 4 to end of rnd.
Cut CC3 and CC4 leaving a tail to weave in later.
Rnds 45-49: Rep Rnds 1-5.
Rnd 50-54: Work leg chart 1 to end of rnd.
Cut CC1 and CC2 leaving a tail to weave in later.
Rnds 55-59: Rep Rnds 11-15.
Do not cut CC4. Remove m.
Heel Flap
Switch to smaller needles. Heel flap is worked with CC3 over 32 (34, 36, 38, 40) last worked sts.
Row 1 (WS): Turn work, sl1p, p31 (33, 35, 37, 39), turn work.
Row 2 (RS): [Sl1p, k1] to end, turn work.
Row 3 (WS): Sl1p, p to end, turn work.
Rep rnd 2 and 3 until heel flap measures 2.5” [6.5 cm], end after WS rnd.
Heel Turn
Row 1 (RS): Sl1p, k17 (18, 19, 20, 21), ssk, k1, turn work.
Row 2 (WS): Sl1p, p5, p2tog, p1, turn work.
Row 3: Sl1p, k until 1 st before gap, ssk, k1, turn work.
Row 4: Sl1p, p until 1 st before gap, p2tog, p1, turn work.
Rep rows 3 and 4 until all heel sts have been worked. Note: On the last 2 rows for sizes XS (-, M, -, XL) you will omit the last k1/p1 after the decrease.
Rnd 5 (RS): Sl1p, k across.
Cut CC3 leaving a tail to weave in later.
Gusset & Foot
Rnd 1: With CC4, k across instep, pm, pick up sts along side of heel flap, k across heel, pick up same number of sts along other side of heel flap, pm. Beg of rnd is at beg of instep.
Rnd 2: K to m, sm, k1, ssk, k to 3 sts before end of rnd, k2tog, k1.
Rnd 3: K.
Rep rnd 2-3 until you have 64 (68, 72, 76, 80) sts total.
Then rep rnd 3 until foot length is 3 (2.75, 2.75, 2.75, 2.5)” [7.5 (7, 7, 7, 6) cm] shorter than desired total foot length.
Cut CC3 leaving a tail to weave in later.
Toe
Rnd 1: Join CC1, k.
Rnd 2: With CC1, p to m, k to end of rnd.
Rnd 3: Join CC2, k.
Rnd 4: With CC1, k.
Rnd 5: With CC1, p to m, k to end of rnd.
Rnd 6: With CC2, k1, ssk, k to 3 sts before m, k2tog, k1, sm, k1, ssk, k to 3 sts before end of rnd, k2tog, k1.
Rnd 7: k.
Rep rnd 6-7 until you have 20 (20, 24, 24, 24) sts total, end after rnd 7.
Graft toe closed.
Finishing
Weave in all ends and wet block socks.