Danish version available here: https://strikkeglad.dk/26895/heksens-ben/
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Cabled socks. Inspired by a stitch pattern I found in a book of Austrian Twisted stitch patterns, whose name translates to “Witch’s Legs”, I created a sock that might be appropriate for Hallowe’en. Or just for autumn.

To keep the knitting interesting, the two socks are subtly different – the left sock has right-leaning central cables, the right sock has left-leaning central cables, and the pattern is slightly offset on the leg.

There’s some clever stuff going on here: because the stitch pattern is a large repeat, and doesn’t lend itself easily to grading, I’ve created four sizes from two stitch counts by using different needle sizes for the legs.

For all sizes, the heel flap, heel turn and foot are worked on the same size (smaller) needle to create a long-wearing sock-appropriate fabric.

If you’re a sock customizer, you can absolutely use a different heel turn, but I strongly recommend a flap-and-gusset heel. The stitch pattern takes away a little of the stretchiness of the fabric and a short-row type of heel won’t fit the vast majority of feet.

I’ve worked the heel flap in a ribbing pattern – why not! If you prefer, you can work a slipped stitch reinforcement pattern. I tend not to do this – at least not there – because that’s not where I wear out my socks. I wear them out on the underside of the heel, and therefore I’ve worked the reinforcement pattern there. And even if you’re not worried about wear, it’s extra-comfy!

As always, the sock uses my particular favorite no-graft toe. If you really feel that you need to close the toe with grafting, stop decreasing when about a third of the stitches remain – ensuring you have the same number of stitches on both instep and sole.