From Natalie Sheldon, the designer: “When I hear the word “campfire” I immediately think of our rustic camp in the woods. We often build a campfire to cook up our meals, heat our water, or just to relax and enjoy the evening.

To me, campfires evoke a feeling of calm, quiet solitude – a back-to-basics feeling away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. I hope knitting (and wearing) these socks brings you the same feeling.”

This pattern is worked top-down, in the round, beginning with a long-tail cast on and 2 x 2 ribbing. Each size casts on the same number of stitches, and your size will be determined by your gauge.

The colourwork then begins and continues down the foot. Scrap yarn holds the place of the afterthought heel until the entire sock is knit. A wedge toe completes the foot. Finally, the scrap yarn is removed, and the afterthought heel is worked. Duplicate stitching can be added as desired.

If you prefer knitting toe-up, you can hold the charts upside-down and use your favourite toe-up method.

SIZES
1 (2, 3, 4, 5)
Finished foot circumference: 17.5 (18.75, 20, 21.25, 22.5) cm / 6.75 (7.5, 8, 8.5, 9)” – recommended to be worn with 2.5 cm / 1” of negative ease.

YARN
Ritual Dyes Maven (100% Rambouillet Wool; 242 metres / 265 yards per 50 g)

MC: 165 (195, 215, 240, 270) metres / 180 (215, 235, 265, 295) yards
CC: 150 (185, 200, 225, 245) metres / 165 (200, 220, 245, 270) yards
Yarn for duplicate stitch (optional): approximately 1 metre/ 1 yard.

Sample shown is knit in colourways Bone (MC) and Chromite (CC). Emma wears a size 3 with 4 cm / 1.5” of negative ease. Paloma wears a size 3 with 2 cm / 0.75” of negative ease.

NEEDLES
2.25 mm / US 1 circular needle with a cable length of at least 80 cm / 32” for heels and toes on all sizes (or needle size to obtain gauge)
2.25 (2.25, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75) mm / US 1 (US 1, US 1, US 1.5, US 2) circular needle with a cable length of at least 80 cm / 32” for cuff (or needle size to obtain gauge)
2.25 (2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.25) mm / US 1 (US 1.5, US 2, US 2.5, US 3) circular needle with a cable length of at least 80 cm / 32” for colourwork (or needle size to obtain gauge)

This pattern uses the magic loop technique. To work this pattern using the magic loop technique, use a circular needle with a cable length of at least at least 80 cm / 32” instead of double-pointed needles.

GAUGE
This pattern is sized by adjusting the gauge according to the size you wish to make. Take the time to swatch carefully in the colourwork pattern to ensure a good fit, using the needles you need to achieve the desired gauge.

36 sts x 52 rounds = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4” (in the round, in stockinette, on smaller needle, after blocking – for heels and toes)

In the round, in colourwork, on larger needle, after blocking:

Size 1: 40 sts x 45 rounds = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4”
Size 2: 38 sts x 42 rounds = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4”
Size 3: 35 sts x 38 rounds = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4”
Size 4: 33 sts x 36.5 rounds = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4”
Size 5: 31 sts x 35 rounds = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4”

In the round, in 2x2 ribbing, on smaller needle, after blocking:
Sizes 1, 2 & 3: 34 sts x 52 rounds = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4”
Size 4: 32 sts x 50 rounds = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4”
Size 5: 30 sts x 48 rounds = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4”

NOTIONS
• Blocking tools
• Darning needle
• Removable stitch markers (optional)
• Scrap yarn
• Stitch markers
• Tape measure

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
• Foot circumference: 17.5 (18.75, 20, 21.25, 22.5) cm / 6.75 (7.5, 8, 8.5, 9)”
• Leg length to heel, including cuff: 14 (14.75, 16, 16.5, 17.25) cm / 5.5 (5.8, 6.3, 6.5, 6.8)”

DESIGNER & CONTRIBUTORS
Designer: Natalie Sheldon
Models: Paloma Isa Mercado & Emma Fierberg
Photography: Melinda Dela Costa
Tech Editing: Jessica Schwab
Graphic Design: Camille Romano

The Back of Beyond is one of the 13 cozy, campfire-inspired patterns featured in Issue 8 of Making Stories Magazine.

Issue 8 is available through our webshop in print and digital as well as in a subscription, through our Ravelry store as a digital version and our stockists.

About Making Stories Magazine

With Making Stories Magazine, we strive to feature companies and makers who focus on sustainability, transparency, fairness and equity in their work. We love telling their stories and hope to inspire and enable crafters to make conscious and informed decisions about the materials they use and the companies they support.