FoX ISLE SOCKS

 

This sock pattern combines two amazing things - fair isle knitting and foxes! Can it get any better?

The socks are really warm, as they are knitted with two strands of yarn. They were specially designed for long cozy evenings, when extra warmth is so much appreciated.

The socks are knitted from the top down with a fish lips kiss heel. Decreases are added at the transition to the ankle for a more comfortable fit.

 
 
 

YARN

  • Cascade Yarn Heritage Solids (75% merino, 25% nylon, 437yds/400m, 3.5oz/100g)

  • Amounts S (M, L):
    - Charcoal (Main Color): 2.5oz/70g (2.8oz/80g, 3.2oz/90g)
    - Grey 1.05oz/30g (1.2oz/35g, 1.4oz/40g)
    - Snow 1.05oz/30g (1.2oz/35g, 1.4oz/40g)
    - Pumpkin 1.05oz/30g (1.2oz/35g, 1.4oz/40g)

  • Appr. 20m of black yarn for the foxes’ eyes and noses (can be substituted with the Main Colo if dark enough)

  • Any other sock yarn held double or sport weight in one strand will work fine

NEEDLES

  • US 3/3.25mm, or the size needed to fit the gauge

  • Circular needles for magic loop method or
    a set of 5 DPNs.

NOTIONS

  • Stitch markers
  • Stitch holder (optional)
  • Tapestry needle

  • Sock blockers

GAUGE

  • 28 sts and 38 rows in 4”/10cm in Stockinette Stitch, blocked

FINISHED SIZE

  • S - teen;  M - average women; L - wide calf. Choose the size that allows appr. 1.5”/3.5cm of negative ease at the ankle

  • 7”/18cm (8.3”/21cm, 10”/25cm) in circumference at the ankle (not stretched)

  • 7.5”/19cm long from the heel up

  • Length of both the leg and the foot parts is customizable

 
 

Notes

  • The socks are knitted from the top down.

  • The heel is of a fish lips kiss construction.

  • There are directions for stitch distribution both for the magic loop and for DPNs. I do not recommend knitting two socks at a time on the same needle with magic loop in this case, as there are too many balls of yarn in work at the same time.

  • Pattern contains slightly different instructions for the right and left sock at the heel part. This places the transition column of fair isle stitches at the beginning of each round on the inner side of legs.

 

Pattern

 

CUFF

Cast on 60 (70, 80)sts. with Main Color (Charcoal) yarn. Join in the round. PM to mark the BOR.

  • For magic loop method, divide stitches between two needles evenly: 30+30 (35+35, 40+40)

  • For DPNs, divide stitches between four needles as evenly as possible: 15+15+15+15 (18+17+18+17, 20+20+20+20)

RIBBING

R1: (k1, p1) until the end of the round.
Repeat R1 for 12 rnds (appr. 1.5”/4cm) total or until the desired cuff length.
Then knit 1 rnd plain.

LEG

Chart 1

Chart 2

Chart 3

R1-17: knit by Chart 1.

R18: Decreasing rnd, worked in Main Color (Charcoal).
Size S: (k2tog, k8)x 6 times. 54sts left on the needles.
Size M: k10; (k2tog, k8)x 6 times. 64sts left on the needles.
Size L: k10; (k2tog, k8)x 3 times; k10; (k2tog, k8)x 3 times. 74sts left on the needles.

R19-24: knit by Chart 2.

R25: Decreasing rnd, worked in Fox Color (Pumpkin).
Size S: (k12, k2tog; k11, k2tog)x twice. 50sts left on the needles.
Size M: (k14, k2tog)x 4 times. 60sts left on the needles.
Size L: (k17, k2tog; k16, k2tog)x twice. 70sts left on the needles.

Stitch distribution:

  • For magic loop method: 25+25 (30+30, 35+35)

  • For DPNs: 13+12+13+12 (15+15+15+15, 18+17+18+17)

R26-56: knit by Chart 3.

If you want to change the length of the leg part, repeat or skip some of the sections from Chart 3. But remember to finish with Rows 54-56.

For example, you can add 9 rows of fair isle using the pattern for R29-34 and then knit R54-56 once more after completing all of Chart 3. Or use the pattern until R43 and then go directly to R54-56 to subtract 10 rows.
Any combination will work, just remember to finish with Rows 54-56.

HEEL

The Heel is worked with Main Color (Charcoal) yarn. Cut the strands of all other colors leaving tails long enough for weaving in.

LEFT SOCK
R1: k the first 25 (30, 35)sts.
Start working only with the second half of stitches - 25 (30, 35) - back and forth.

  • For magic loop method, use all stitches from the second needle

  • For DPNs, use all stitches from needles 3 and 4

The first part of stitches (for the instep) can be placed onto a stitch holder.

RIGHT SOCK
R1: k around.
Start working only with the first 25 (30, 35)sts, back and forth.

  • For magic loop method, use all stitches from the first needle

  • For DPNs, use all stitches from needles 1 and 2

The second part of stitches (for the instep) can be placed onto a stitch holder.

BOTH SOCKS
R2 (RS): sl1wyib, k until 1 last st, w&t
R3 (WS): p until 1 last st, w&t
R4 (RS): k until 1 last st to the wrapped st, w&t
R5 (WS): p until 1 last st to the wrapped st, w&t
Repeat R4-5 until there are 9 (10, 11) unwrapped sts left in the middle.

HEEL TURN

R1 (RS): k until first wrapped st, pick up the wrapped loop and k2tog with the stitch it was wrapped around, turn
R2 (WS): sl1wyif, p until first wrapped st, pick up the wrapped loop and p2tog with the stitch it was wrapped around, turn
R3 (RS): sl1wyib, k until first wrapped st, pick up the wrapped loop and k2tog with the stitch it was wrapped around, turn
Repeat R2-3 until all stitches of the heel are worked.

FOOT

FOOT CHART

TRANSITION              

Place 25 (30, 35)sts of the instep back on the working needle(s). Start knitting in the round again.

R1: k all sts of the heel; k all sts of the instep
R2: k all sts of the heel; k all sts of the instep
R3: k 10 (15, 20) sts of the heel.
Stop here and PM to mark the new BOR. This moves the transition column of fair isle stitches to the sole, making it invisible from the sides.

Stitches are now distributed between the needles as follows:

  • For magic loop method:
    Needle 1 (Sole): 10 (15, 20)sts, M, 15sts;
    Needle 2 (Instep): 25 (30, 35) sts.

  • For DPNs:
    Needle 1 (Sole): 10 (15, 20)sts;
    Needle 2 (Sole): M, 15sts;
    Needle 3 (Instep): 13 (15, 18)sts;
    Needle 4 (Instep): 12 (15, 17)sts.

You can also use any other stitch distribution, depending on what is more comfortable for you.

FOOT

R1-45: knit by Foot Chart.
Knit until the foot is appr. 2” (5cm) shorter than the desired length..
If you want to change the length of the foot part, repeat or skip some of the sections from the Foot Chart. But remember to finish with Rows 43-45.

TOE

The Toe is worked with Main Color (Charcoal) yarn. Cut the strands of all other colors leaving tails long enough for weaving in.
Remove the BOR marker. Knit the next 15 [Sole] + 25 (30, 35) [Instep] sts plain. Place the BOR marker here.

R1: [Sole] k 25 (30, 35)sts, PM; [Instep] k 25 (30, 35)sts
R2: both Sole and Instep: ssk, k unt. 2 last sts to M, k2tog
R3-4: k around
R5: as R2
R6-7: k around
R8: as R2
R9: k around
Repeat R8-9 until there are 17 (20, 23) sts for each Sole and Instep left.
Start making decreases in each round.
Repeat R2 until there are 7 (8, 9) sts for each Sole and Instep left.

FINISHING

Cut the yarn with an appr. 15” (38cm) tail. Graft all sts to close the toe.
Weave in ends. Wash the socks in luke-warm water and block them.

 
 

This pattern has a page on Ravelry where you can get more inspiration and share your finished knits: