Fair Isle Sock MKALendar
DESCRIPTION
With the Fair Isle Sock MKALendar you'll create a pair of mid-calf or knee-high socks in 25 days. The socks are worked from the toe up in stranded colorwork using all sorts of fingering-weight sock yarn leftovers, scraps, half-a skeins, unicorn tails, or advent calendar minis. Toes, ribbed cuffs, and forethought peasant heels with short-row mini gussets are worked in one color.
Each day is presented as a stranded colorwork chart. All charts can be worked with just two colors but you can use as many as you wish! Your color choices determine whether your socks feature classic or modern interpretations of traditional Fair Isle motifs. Regardless of how many colors you pick, all colorwork rounds are knit with just two colors and short floats. Tips for choosing and using colors are provided.
The pattern comes in five sizes for foot circumference and two options for leg length. Foot length, leg length, and leg circumference can be adjusted within pattern. Calf shaping instructions are also provided.
The pattern is written with both metric and US terminology. Only charted instructions are given for the colorwork patterns.
In addition to instructions to knit the socks, the pattern also includes
- 28 colorwork charts in two variations: one for a light and another for a dark background color — that's 56 charts total!
- guidance and tips for adjusting sock fit to your measurements
- tips for choosing colors with seven illustrated color scheme examples
- links to technique tutorials on colorwork
Share your socks on Instagram with the hashtags #fairislesockmkalendar and #talviknits.
This pattern was originally released as a 25-part advent calendar mystery knitalong in December 2023.
SIZING
- XS [S, M, L, XL]
- 56 [64, 72, 80, 88] sts in foot
- To fit shoe size approx. EU 30/31 [36/37, 39/40, 43/44, 47/48] / US kids' 12–13 [adults' 5–6, 7–8, 9–10, 11–12]
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
- Foot circumference: approx. 16.5 [19, 21, 23.5, 26] cm / 6½ [7½, 8¼, 9¼, 10¼]"
- Foot length: approx. 18.5 [22, 23, 25.5, 27.5] cm / 7¼ [8½, 9, 10, 10¾]" or adjustable within pattern
- Leg circumference: approx. 16.5 [19, 21, 23.5, 26] cm / 6½ [7½, 8¼, 9¼, 10¼]" or adjustable within pattern
- Leg length, mid-calf: approx. 18.5 [17.5, 17.5, 19, 21] cm / 7¼ [7, 7, 8¼, 10]" or adjustable within pattern
- Leg length, knee-high: approx. 44 [43, 43, 44, 46] cm / 17¼ [16¾, 16¾, 17½, 18¼]" or adjustable within pattern
As colorwork is not very stretchy, start with a size with approx. 0–5% of negative ease in foot circumference. Leg circumference can be adjusted as the sock progresses.
MATERIALS
Yarn
Fingering-weight sock yarn in as many colors as you want (at least 2)
- For mid-calf socks: approx. 300 [350, 400, 470, 560] m / 320 [380, 440, 510, 610] yd in total
- For knee-high socks: approx. 570 [620, 700, 780, 890] m / 620 [680, 760, 850, 980] yd in total
Needles
- 2.5 mm / US #1½ double-pointed or circular needle(s) or size needed to obtain gauge
Notions
- Colorwork yarn guide (optional)
- Fingering-weight waste yarn to mark heel placement
- 1 locking stitch marker (optional)
- Darning needle
GAUGE
- 34 sts × 42 rnds = 10 cm / 4” in stranded colorwork, blocked
Gauge is independent of suggested needle size. Please take time to check your gauge before casting on.
TECHNIQUES USED
This pattern uses the following techniques: working small circumferences in the round, increases, decreases, stranded colorwork, German short rows, and twisted ribbing. Instructions for the colorwork patterns are provided only as charts.
The pattern assumes knowledge of a cast-on and bind-off method for toe-up socks; references are given for a few alternatives.
