Welles Socks

The motif which inspired the patterns for these socks is a very common one in medieval illuminations. One manuscript where it appears very frequently is the Welles Apocalypse, a work of English origin, written in French, from the first quarter of the 14th century.

• Some source images: One Two Three Four
• More information about the source document

Note: This pattern is part of a collection of accessories built around a theme of medieval illumination. You can purchase the patterns individually or as an entire collection: Whitework: Accessories inspired by medieval illumination

Skills required

• Knitting, purling
• Increasing, decreasing
• Stranded knitting flat and in the round
• Chart reading
• Working in the round with DPNs (alternatives: two circulars or the magic loop technique)
• Grafting (aka Kitchener stitch); pattern lists some instructional resources for reference

Size information

• Extra-small: 6.5” foot and leg circumferences
• Small: 7.75” foot and leg circumferences
• Medium: 9” foot and leg circumferences
• Large: 10.25” foot and leg circumferences

Socks to have 0% ease.

Yarn requirements

Where two ball amounts are given, it could be either, depending on foot and leg lengths; if in doubt, get the bigger amount.

• Extra-small: 1 ball each of MC and CC
• Small: 1 or 2 balls of MC, 1 ball of CC
• Medium: 2 balls of MC, 1 or 2 balls of CC
• Large: 2 balls each of MC and CC

Model shown was made in the medium size, for a 9”-long foot, and with 7” of leg above the heel flap. It used 275 yards of MC and 180 yards of CC.

Other materials needed

• Either a set of 2.5mm DPNs (set of 5 preferable) or (for two-circular technique) two 2.5mm 16" circular needles or (for magic loop method) 2.5mm 32" or longer circular
• Stitch marker
• (Optional) Two additional stitch markers, different from the first
• Spare length of yarn about 10” long
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Gauge

38 sts and rows to 4" in stranded pattern after blocking