Opposites Attract Socks

Sometimes, the best pairings are the ones that don’t seem like they would go together at all. (Salted caramel is a prime example.) I find this is true in my favorite books too. I love reading about seemingly mismatched people thrown together who find that despite initial misgivings, they actually suit one another perfectly, whether as friends or lovers.

I had to remind myself of this when I was designing these socks because as.I was working, I worried the delicate lace cuff and the bold picot stripes were too different as design elements and just wouldn’t work together. But I’m glad I put aside those doubts because just like a stubbornly honorable knight and the rebellious princess he’s duty-bound to protect, the contrasting elements in these socks makes the finished product all the more enchanting. (Okay, now I really want to write that book…)

The Opposites Attract Socks are knit from the top down as shorties, with a scalloped lace cuff just tall enough to peak out from the top of a pair of sneakers. The picot stripes are made using an easy slipped stitch technique and the heel construction is a traditional heel flap and gusset which allows for a customizable fit.

Sizes
Small: 15.25cm/6in
Medium: 17.75cm/7in
Large: 20.3/8in

These sizes refer to the circumference of the sock un-stretched. To figure out which size to knit, measure around the ball of your foot at the widest part. Most people like their socks to fit a little snug so you want to knit a sock a little smaller than your foot. I recommend knitting the smaller size. The size listed only refers to the circumference of the sock, the length can be customized as you knit.

Gauge
36 stitches x 40 rows per 10cm/4in

Yarn
Fingering weight – 50 (60, 70) grams based on average foot length of 23cm/9in so you may need more or less depending on your measurement.

I used Filcolana Arwetta Classic in French Vanilla (196) for the main color and Juicy Green (279) for the stripes.

Needles
The pattern is written for small (23cm/9in) circular needles, switching to double pointed needles or Magic Loop for the toe decreases, but can be worked using double pointed needles or Magic Loop throughout, according to your preference. I use 2.25mm needles, but use whichever size gets you the above listed gauge.

Notions
Tapestry needle
Stitch markers
Scissors
Sock blockers (optional)