Thistles in the Woods by Anna Lange

Thistles in the Woods

Knitting
February 2019
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
40 stitches = 4 inches
in stranded stockinette stitch
US 1½ - 2.5 mm
459 - 514 yards (420 - 470 m)
one size
English
This pattern is available as a free Ravelry download

John Oliver imagined the Scots thinking the only flower they might pick for their country would have to be one that could pierce an Englishman’s throat. While this totally is something to be expected of them, the actual beauty of a huge variety of purple flowering thistles in the dark pine woods of the Scottish Highlands should not be overlooked.
They are hardy plants that can fight off a lot of enemies (not horses, though), but they are also extremely pretty and delicate. These socks are my tribute to the land of my heart forever and all the beauty of its wild nature.

Materials
• approx. 50g of MC yarn (beige)
• approx. 5g of CC1 yarn (purple)
• approx. 10g of CC2 yarn (green)
• approx. 50g of CC3 yarn (brown)
• 2.5mm DPNs or needles for magic loop or size required to get gauge
• tapestry needle, stitch markers (optional)

The sample was knit in Drops Fabel. Any regular fingering weight sock yarn in solid or semi-solid colours will work well. Using variegated or even speckled yarns might also lead to interesting results, but keep the contrast to the between the colours used next to each other high enough.

The pattern is written for knitting on DPNs, but can easily be adjusted to your favourite style of knitting socks.

As this is a free pattern, it comes in only one size, approx. size 40 European with a foot circumference of approx. 20cm. You can knit it more tightly or loosely to adjust the fit.