Botanical motifs are common in lace knitting; here’s a lovely one where the leaf is very clearly outlined and recognizable as an old world ivy leaf. I’ve been playing with this charming pattern for quite a while and after designing a large shawl* with it, I still felt like I still wasn’t done with it. So I took the smallest version of the leaves I had used in the shawl and put them into these socks. It was a complicated process, as this is a motif with a larger amount of stitches so the architecture of the sock was particularly challenging. And of course, I wanted the leaves to start and end organically (note the cabled stems in the cuff!), so more charts had to be developed for that. Along the way, several intrepid test knitters were recruited and gave valuable input, and I ended up knitting them twice myself. The biggest challenge was developing more than one size, which I always endeavor to do. This time, it just was not possible to alter the cast-on number of stitches as I normally do; the overall lace and its distribution over the heel and instep was not amenable to variation so I was stuck with what I had. Thus, I ventured out into uncharted territory for me: using different gauges to accomplish the different sizes. Whew, it was tough going and took about a year from start to finish, but eventually everything was worked out.

So if you are looking for a matched set of lace socks and shawl, check out my Faerie Ivy Leaf Shawl. This pattern uses the same leaf patterns as used in the socks that then expand in size in the middle of the shawl and then
shrink down again at the end. Very
leafy!

Top down socks knitted with DPNs (but adjustable to other needle configurations). Heel flap, flat toe. Cuff and lace patterns are written out and charted. One cast-on amount and lace pattern sequence given. The two different sizes are accomplished by different gauges/needle sizes. Thus, it is crucial to make a gauge swatch and get the exact stitch count desired.

Gauge:
38 ST and 57 rows = 4” (10 cm) over unblocked and unwashed stockinette stitch for size medium.
32 ST and 46 rows = 4” (10 cm) over unblocked and unwashed stockinette stitch for size
large/x-large.

Yarn suggestions: Solid colors or only very lightly tonal colored fingering (sock-weight) yarn. Heavily variegated, self-striping or speckled yarns will obscure the pattern. If making the smaller size, using a fingering yarn that is on the thinner end of fingering will yield better results.

Materials:
Needles:
-US 0 (2.0 mm) OR size needed to obtain the gauge for M
-US 1 (2.25 mm) OR size needed to obtain the gauge for L/XL
-small cable needle
Notions:
Stitch markers
Tapestry needle
Yarn:
As shown in green: Fyberspates Vivacious 4 ply, 100% superwash Merino Wool, color # 627 Avocado, 100 g = 399 yds per 100 g., 81 g.

As shown in blue: WN Yarns, Merino Sock Yarn (3 ply) 80% superwash Merino Wool, 20% Nylon, colorway: Blue Grey 115 g = 420 yds, 97 g.

Skill Level: adventurous intermediate knitter/expert