The giant Pacific octopus is a creature with an incredible ability to camouflage, changing the colour and texture of their skin at will. This sock pattern is meant to invoke that changeable, underwater glory. I see suckers fading into the surroundings of bull kelp and seawater, though it can’t quite be pinned down.

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Sizes & Finished Dimensions
Sizes: A(B, C, D)
Finished Foot Circumference: 6.25(7.5, 8.25, 9) in/16(19, 21, 23) cm
Finished Foot Length (adjustable): 7(8.25, 9.5, 10.25) in/18(21, 24, 26) cm
Intended to be worn with about 1 in/2.5 cm of negative ease. Choose a size slightly smaller than the desired foot circumference at the ball of the foot.
Shown in size B.

Yarn
Yarn quantities are approximate.

Fingering weight yarn:
288(333, 366, 399) yd /263(304, 335, 365) m

If substituting:
Main Colour (Yarn for Stripes):
193(223, 245, 267) yd/88(110, 119, 119) m

Contrast Colour (Beige Yarn for Toes, Heels, and Cuffs):
77(89, 98, 107) yd/70(82, 90, 98) m

Shown in:
Gauge Dye Works Merino Twist Classic (80% superwash Merino wool, 20% nylon; 443 yd/405 m per 4 oz/115 g skein); Colour: Kelp Forest; 1 skein

Blocked Gauge
34 sts/54 rows = 4 in/10 cm in Reverse Stockinette stitch
38 sts/50 rows = 4 in/10 cm in Textured Lace

Needles
Needle Sizes are recommendations only. Always use needle size necessary to obtain gauge.

Suggested Size US 0/2 mm needles

Notions
tapestry needle
stitch markers
cable needle (optional)

Skills
I consider this an intermediate level pattern. Techniques used include working a twisted stitch/double yarn-over lace motif from charted or written instructions, wrap-and-turn short row shaping, decreasing, and grafting purl wise.