PATTERN for The Back of Beyond socks - PATTERN ONLY.
Originally published in Making Stories magazine, Issue 8: Campfire, it is now available as a single pattern in my usual format.
Charts are included for both light-on-dark and dark-on-light yarn options. Pattern includes full-page charts for greater visibility.
This pattern is worked top-down, in the round, beginning with a long-tail cast on and 2 x 2 ribbing. Each size casts on the same number of stitches, and your size will be determined by your gauge.
The colourwork then begins and continues down the foot. Scrap yarn holds the place of the afterthought heel until the entire sock is knit. A wedge toe completes the foot. Finally, the scrap yarn is removed, and the afterthought heel is worked. Duplicate stitching can be added as desired.
If you prefer knitting toe-up, you can hold the charts upside-down and use your favourite toe-up method.
SIZES
1 (2, 3, 4, 5)
Finished foot circumference: 17.5 (18.75, 20, 21.25, 22.5) cm / 6.75 (7.5, 8, 8.5, 9)” – recommended to be worn with 2.5 cm / 1” of negative ease.
YARN
Ritual Dyes Maven (100% Rambouillet Wool; 242 metres / 265 yards per 50 g)
MC: 165 (195, 215, 240, 270) metres / 180 (215, 235, 265, 295) yards
CC: 150 (185, 200, 225, 245) metres / 165 (200, 220, 245, 270) yards
Yarn for duplicate stitch (optional): approximately 1 metre/ 1 yard.
Sample shown is knit in colourways Bone (MC) and Chromite (CC). Emma wears a size 3 with 4 cm / 1.5" of negative ease. Paloma wears a size 3 with 2 cm / 0.75" of negative ease.
NEEDLES
2.25 mm / US 1 circular needle with a cable length of at least 80 cm / 32” for heels and toes on all sizes (or needle size to obtain gauge)
2.25 (2.25, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75) mm / US 1 (US 1, US 1, US 1.5, US 2) circular needle with a cable length of at least 80 cm / 32” for cuff (or needle size to obtain gauge)
2.25 (2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.25) mm / US 1 (US 1.5, US 2, US 2.5, US 3) circular needle with a cable length of at least 80 cm / 32” for colourwork (or needle size to obtain gauge)
GAUGE
This pattern is sized by adjusting the gauge according to the size you wish to make. Take the time to swatch carefully in the colourwork pattern to ensure a good fit, using the needles you need to achieve the desired gauge.
36 sts x 52 rounds = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4” (in the round, in stockinette, on smaller needle, after blocking – for heels and toes)
In the round, in colourwork, on larger needle, after blocking:
Size 1: 40 sts x 45 rounds = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4”
Size 2: 38 sts x 42 rounds = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4”
Size 3: 35 sts x 38 rounds = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4”
Size 4: 33 sts x 36.5 rounds = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4”
Size 5: 31 sts x 35 rounds = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4”
In the round, in 2x2 ribbing, on smaller needle, after blocking:
Sizes 1, 2 & 3: 34 sts x 52 rounds = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4”
Size 4: 32 sts x 50 rounds = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4”
Size 5: 30 sts x 48 rounds = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4”
NOTIONS
• Darning needle
• Removable stitch markers (optional)
• Scrap yarn
• Stitch markers
• Tape measure
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
• Foot circumference: 17.5 (18.75, 20, 21.25, 22.5) cm / 6.75 (7.5, 8, 8.5, 9)”
• Leg length to heel, including cuff: 14 (14.75, 16, 16.5, 17.25) cm / 5.5 (5.8, 6.3, 6.5, 6.8)”
DESIGNER & CONTRIBUTORS
Designer: Natalie Sheldon
Model: Emma Fierberg
Photography: Melinda Dela Costa
