One way of making paper traditionally is to sift a watery pulp into a rectangular frame with a screen, let the water drain out, and then tip the pulp onto a drying surface where it’ll dry into paper. This process creates paper with soft, wispy edges. The frame is called a “deckle,” and the type of paper edge made with this process is called a “deckle edge.” Most modern books now have the page edges trimmed or, depending on the paper manufacturing process, may never have had a deckle edge to begin with.

But you can still find deckle edges on antique books and some collector editions of modern books. Readers tend to have strongly split opinions about them. I’m a big fan of the soft edges (much less likely to give me a paper cut!), but it’s okay if you don’t like them as much.

The Deckle Edge Socks have a stitch pattern down the front and back that reminds me of the beautifully interlocking stitching you see on the binding of some books that have been hand-stitched together. They are knit from the cuff down and graded to five sizes.

Sizes

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Finished sock dimensions: 6.5” (16.5 cm), 7.5” (19 cm), 8.5” (21.5 cm), 9.5” (24 cm), 10.5” (26.5 cm) circumference (Note: most people like their socks snug, so choose a finished sock size that is slightly smaller than your actual foot)

Materials

Fingering weight yarn, 280-440 yds (256-403 m)

Sample shown knit in Madelinetosh Tosh Sock, 100% superwash Merino wool, 462 yds (423 m) per 4.6 oz (130 g)

Gauge

4” (10 cm) square = 32 stitches x 40 rows in stockinette

Needles

One set of needles for your preferred style of small-circumference knitting in a size to match gauge listed above

Suggested needle size: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)

Tools

One stitch marker for beginning of round; optional additional markers between pattern repeats. Tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Skill Level

Intermediate. Techniques include decreases, knitting in the round, stockinette grafting.