Oolong Sock

These perfectly delectable socks were inspired by tea leaves that make up the oolong teas frequently grown in Taiwan. In the spring, I love a glass of tea with a whipped and savory cream cheese topping and boba pearls on a beautiful day. In the winter, I love a warming, unctuous cup of hot oolong tea.

These socks were originally designed in 2021 and eventually they became the Effervescent Pullover. I hope you’ll enjoy the sock iteration, inspired by oolong leaves in the lace motif, with its adorable and engaging leafy lace panel and the frothy mohair ruffle.

SIZES

A (B, C) with the finished foot circumference of 7 (8, 9)” / 18 (20.5, 23) cm. Foot length and leg length adjustable. 

Sample shown in Size A. 

GAUGE 

32 stitches and 40 rounds = 4x4” / 10x10 cm, stockinette stitch knit in the round, knit with Needle A, blocked.

YARN & YARDAGE

For the sock: 225 (300, 400) yards / 205 (274, 366) meters of fingering weight sock yarn

Sample in Wandering Flock’s Baby Paca base (50% Superwash Merino Wool, Extra Fine, 30% Baby Alpaca, 20% Nylon / sport weight / 400 yds / 365 m / 100g) in the colorway “Pistachio Cream”

For the optional ruffle: 50 (60, 65) yards / 45 (55, 60) meters of lace-weight fluffy yarn such as mohair silk or alpaca suri. 

Ruffle shown in Wandering Flock’s Mohair Silk base (72% kid mohair 28% silk / lace weight / 459 yds / 419 m / 50 g) in the colorway “Pistachio Cream.”

NEEDLE A

Size US1 / 2.25 mm needles for knitting in the round for small circumference, (ie. small circulars, DPN’s, or magic loop). 

If using small circulars, DPN’s or long circulars for magic loop in the same size will be required for the heel flap and the toe

NEEDLE B (FOR RUFFLE)

Size US3 / 3.25 mm needles for knitting in the round for small circumference, (ie. small circulars, DPN’s, or magic loop). 

NOTIONS

4 stitch markers, plus one unique marker for the BOR. Tapestry needle. 

CONSTRUCTION NOTES

This pattern is knit top down, starting with the cuff with half-twisted rib. A lace panel is worked symmetrically for each sock down the entirety of the sock, with a classic eye of the partridge heel flap and gusset construction and a wedge toe.

Slip all markers when encountered unless otherwise indicated.

Credits

Tech Editing: Heather Sorta

Photos: Roy and Aimee Sher

Accessibility

• The low vision pattern file has tagged header structure for screenreader users.
• The low vision file has 22 pt font, black text on white background, no italics, and bolded font for emphasis only throughout.
• All images in the low vision pattern have alt text.
• Written instructions are present for all charted instructions as well.