Richly textured with a touch of vertically-stranded accent color, this sock has plenty of ribbing for a snug fit, a gusset centered at the back of the leg for a shapely Strong heel, and playful tracks of contrasting color from top to bottom.

Stitch pattern is stretchy and forgiving, and sized for 7.5”, 8.5”, and 9.5” foot circumference. Matching row gauge is not crucial and it is not difficult to shorten the leg by starting the heel gusset early.

Yarn requirements are a full skein of fingering weight yarn plus about 25 yards of contrast color for vertical strands.

Ophidia is Stage 5 of the 2015 Tour de Sock, a six-stage speed knitting competition benefitting Doctors Without Borders.