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This pattern was Stage 6 of the 2012 Tour de Sock event. Experienced knitters found these challenging, but with perseverance they made some amazingly beautiful socks.

Yardage for each color: Two colors of yarn are needed, preferably at least one solid for contrast. Color A, 60-75 grams/275-350 yards; Color B, 40-50 grams/185-225 yards. Actual yardage used varies depending on size chosen and personal modifications for length.

Brioche is a great way to highlight bold cables in two colors. These are thick warm socks with plenty of stretch, sturdy soles and a familiar heel flap and gusset construction.

If you haven’t worked brioche before, work a brioche hat or cowl in the round first. Then you’ll be ready to tackle – and enjoy – these squishy fun socks.

What’s fun about this pattern
The cushy brioche cables are irresistible to squeeze and interesting to knit. The 2x1 Brioche pattern works up on your normal size sock knitting needles using only one color at a time – no stranding – so the cables are not tight, they’re luxurious.

What’s challenging about this pattern
Whether or not you’ve worked brioche, the fine yarn, caston, and cables make these socks a serious challenge. Lifelines are recommended until you become better acquainted with the anatomy of the stitches. Cable needles are recommended, even for those who usually cable without one.

A note about charts and written instructions
This pattern provides written instructions for the sock construction from cuff to toe. Both charts and written instructions are given for all stitch patterns. For the cable patterns, a chart is provided with a chart key giving written instructions for each stitch. Line-by-line written instructions are not given for the cable patterns.

What you should know before you begin
Familiarize yourself with brioche knitting by visiting Nancy Marchant’s website, The Brioche Stitch. (Or read her book, shown on her website.) Important pages to visit:

• 2 Color Brioche Stitch and Double Brioche Stitch, because this pattern combines both stitches.

• Adding Color for working two-color brioche in the round, and to see instructions, samples and diagrams.

• Terminology and Abbreviations for descriptions of brioche stitches.

A video of the special cast on used in this pattern can be found here (as well as in the pattern): Two-Color 2x1 Brioche Cast on. An alternative cast on is also given in the pattern.