The Affluents Socks are inspired by the flow of small streams and creeks into a river. The word “affluent” is another word for “tributary”; a smaller watercourse flowing into a larger one. These socks were intended to have a feeling of easy flow by smoothly shifting branching lines asymmetrically from a central line with the fabric — no cables required!

Pattern Description

These toe-up socks use elongated slipped stitches and central increases paired with side decreases to make asymmetrical diagonal lines on a bias fabric running away from the centre. They feature a gusset and heel flap heel using German short rows and a twisted rib cuff. The gussets are formed smoothly from the instep patterning and act as a design feature rather than only a functional component.

This pattern requires the knitter to be able to knit a small circumference in the round (either on double-pointed needles or your preferred technique for socks) and clearly explains all techniques required. Within the pattern you will find links to useful video tutorials as well, so the pattern is easily accessible to an intermediate sock knitter, or even an advanced beginner.

Yarn Requirements and Sizing

Sizes available: Adult Small (Medium, Large) corresponding to foot circumferences of 18 (20.5, 23) cm / 7 (8, 9) inches — 56 (64, 72) st. The foot length and leg height are both adjustable.

The socks require approximately 275 (300, 325) m / 300 (325, 350) yards of fingering weight yarn to make a standard-sized foot length and mid-calf height.

This pattern’s elongated stitches on the bias help break up some pooling in any yarn, but they are particularly good at highlighting subtle and random colour shifts as with painted sock blanks or colourways with a speckled effect.

These socks are rated 4/5 — Adventurous — on my sock pattern difficulty scale. This is because they combine bias shaping with wide charts that spread into the gussets of the socks.