The name of this pattern honors a clay that was once mined in Michigan and used in pottery. I have now lived in Michigan for 19 years after moving around frequently for the first 45 years of my life and I am happy to “call out” my adopted state in the name. The slip stitches are a noticeable part of the pattern stitch and so they are honored as well. The stitch pattern used was invented specifically for these socks. Elongated stitches are slipped to avoid contracting the pattern vertically.

*** 2/7/13 The error found and recorded in a comment by Dawana has been corrected in the current version of the PDF and updates have been sent out to earlier purchasers. Thanks so much, Dawana!

Special features of the pattern are:

• This version of the pattern uses sport weight yarn; a separate version called Michigan Slip Socks uses fingering weight yarn. (Combining the two versions into one made it much more difficult to find the right numbers to use, so the two are offered separately.)
• There are three sizes included in the pattern, designed for legs approximately 8, 9 or 10 inches in diameter. The sizes are created by using a different number of repeats of the basic stitch for sizes Small and Large and a slight variant of the stitch for size Medium.
• This pattern stitch produces a slightly wavy effect, showing off self-striping yarns well.
• The gusset is placed on the bottom of the foot and is followed by arch shaping which seems to be particularly comfortable for those with high arches, but the extra “cling” on the sole is welcome to almost everyone who has tried it.

Thanks to my technical editor Eleanor, eledixon here on Ravelry.