Subversive Socks is Out of Print.

Some time ago I stumbled across a photo from a 1920s fashion magazine, showing a woman’s stockinged legs. It intrigued me, because the back of the stockings had an open seam that was pulled closed by short strips of fabric or elastic that were buttoned on one side – presumably to allow a really tight-fitting stocking and so eliminating the use of garters.
I did like it a lot, but it quickly hid in the back of my mind … until I read the call for submissions to a book project called Subversive Socks. That had to be a sign I should get off my a… – erm, behind – and figure out how to recreate that flapper stocking for modern hand-knitters. Right? Right! So here they are, Seditious Stockings in an uproarious purple color fit to cause riots in the streets.

Required Skills
Knitting with dpns (flat and in the round, increases/decreases, provisional cast on, picking up stitches, knowledge of basic sock construction, sewing on buttons

Finished Measurements
Foot circumference: 6½ (7½, 8½)“/ 16.5 (19, 21.5)cm
Foot length: 8¾ (9¾, 11)”/22 (25, 28)cm, or adjustable to fit
Leg length: 17 (17¾, 18½)”/43 (45, 47)cm, or adjustable to fit

Materials
Wollfaktor Nomade Sockenwolle (75% wool, 25% Polyamide; 460 yds/420m per 100g skein); color: Violetta; 2 skeins
US 1½/2.5mm needles for working in the round: dpns, 1 long circular or 2 short circulars, or size needed to obtain gauge
US C/3mm crochet hook
Waste yarn for provisional cast on, stitch markers (1 removable, 2 of any style), yarn needle, sewing needle and thread
10 buttons in a color and size to your liking (small and silver for a more classy look, larger and in a contrasting color; how about grass green? – if you dare …)

Pattern Notes
These knee-high stockings are knit toe-up, using a provisional cast on for an easy toe, and a regular short row heel. After the basic foot and heel sections you will start to knit flat to create a split in the back “seam” that runs up the leg almost to the ribbed cuff. This split seam will be held together with short bands of stockinette – I’d advise you to try on the stockings (and maybe have a friend help you) to determine the exact length of the straps to give you the perfect fit for your leg.
Since the stockings are knit toe-up you can adapt the lengths for foot and leg as well as the leg circumference—the places where to best do that are indicated in the pattern.