This pattern was donated to the 2011 Tour de Sock competition for charity. It is now also available in wide release. Congratulations to all Tour de Sock knitters!

Like the twisting, turning knots and grooves of tree bark, these socks have got your feet protected for the cooler fall and winter months. The pattern takes its name from one of the many protective bark layers, and you’ll find your own socks just as insulating yet attractive. Worked from the cuff down, these socks feature twisted cables and a symmetrical right and left foot.

If you’re comfortable with (or eager to learn!) cabling without a cable needle, this is the kind of pattern that is well suited for this technique. Suggestions included in the pattern notes.

MATERIALS
• Madelinetosh Tosh Sock(Superwash merino wool, 395 yards/365 m per 100g skein), 1 skein shown in “sequoia”; OR a plied fingering weight sock yarn in similar yardage.
• 2.5mm needles (either set of 4vdouble-pointed needles, or long 32-40” circular for Magic Loop)
• tapestry needle
• stitch markers, if desired
• cable needle, unless using cabling-without-a-cable-needle method

SIZING
• M(L)
• To fit foot/ankle circumference of 8-8.5(8.75-10.0) ins around.

GAUGE
• 32 sts/36 rows over 4 ins on 2.5mm needles on stockinette stitch in the round OR needle size required to obtain gauge

SKILLS
To execute this pattern, knitters will be required to:
• Work knit, purl, and ktbl (twisted knit) sts
• Work from a chart
• Work in the round
• Execute a turned heel and heel flap
• Work decreases
• Execute cables with or without (recommended) a cable needle