I wanted to create a fun, smocked design, that could be knit either with miniskeins, or one color throughout. Each pattern repeat creates one stripe if you decide to use minis.

The sock starts at the cuff, then you knit straight through the leg and the foot. After completing the toe, you will create a cut-in afterthought heel.

Links to videos for both the smocking and afterthought heel techniques are included, as well as a video about planning your sock, especially if you decide to stripe it.

I’ve also included instructions on how to stripe your afterthought heel, if that is something that you’d like to do.

Sizes: 56 (64, 72) stitches, to fit foot circumferences 7 (8, 9)” or about 18 (20, 23) cm

Yarn:

One color version: 100g (463 yds/423m) fingering weight yarn, plus a 20g mini for contrast heels or toes (optional)

Striped version: 6-7 colors of fingering weight yarn, 20g (92yds/84m) each

Needles: US size 1 / 2.25mm

Notions: DPN or cable needle in the same size as the needles you are knitting with, or one size smaller, stitch markers including 3
locking removable stitch markers, tapestry needle, ruler or tape measure

Gauge: 34 stitches and 48 rows to 4” (10cm) worked in stockinette stitch in the round, unblocked.

Tester 1: 64 stitches, used 33g or 146 yds for one sock
Tester 2: 64 stitches, used 55g total or 255 yds for two completed socks
Tester 3: 64 stitches, used 18g or 81 yds for one sock
Tester 4: Heel to toe 9.5”, Heel to cuff 12”. Used 85g for completed socks
Tester 5: 56 stitches, used 21g for one sock
Tester 6: 56 stitches, used 53 grams total - about 5-5.5g each of 5 colors, 2 stripes each, plus heel stripes