Essential to Perfection by Hunter Hammersen

Essential to Perfection

Knitting
November 2015
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
8.5 stitches = 1 inch
in stockinette stitch
300 - 400 yards (274 - 366 m)
Fits a foot or leg of 6.75 [7.57, 8.75, 9.75, 10.75] inches.
English

This pattern (along with most of my earlier work) was retired in the summer of 2022. However, it may be available for a few days once or twice a year. Read on for details!




In the summer of 2022, I realized that maintaining a back catalog of hundreds of patterns was kind of overwhelming. I couldn’t do it and still release new things. So I took my old patterns down so I could keep doing new work.

Since then, a handful of my favorites have come back, and lovely new things have come out. But the vast majority of the old patterns are retired and will no longer be generally available.

However, enough folks have asked about some old favorites that I’m planning to make many of the retired patterns available for a few days once or twice a year (most likely in late spring and then again in the fall around Thanksgiving).

  • If you see the buy buttons on this page, you’ve caught it on one of the days it’s available, and you’re welcome to grab it!
  • If you don’t see the buy buttons on this page, then it’s not currently available.
  • If you want to hear when the retired patterns will be available, subscribe to the mailing list or patreon, or keep an eye on my instagram.



The fit of the stocking is almost as essential to the perfection of the foot as that of the boot or the shoe itself. It should be large enough to allow freedom to the toes, and not so large as to wrinkle on the foot. In a well-fitting stocking the foot can be more accurately measured than otherwise, and the comfort of the foot is sadly impeded by an ill-fitting one.

Social Life or The Manners and Customs of Polite Society
Maud C Cooke, 1896




A custom fit is one of the many points in favor of hand-knit socks. With five sizes and stretchy panels of one-by-one ribbing on the sides, these socks are sure to fit beautifully. I can’t quite promise they’ll leave you with perfect feet, but I’m sure they’ll be a good start.