I’m sure it’s terribly conceited of me to say it, but I’m awfully pleased with these.  I know, I like them all (I’m hardly going to put out a pattern I don’t like, now am I?), but these are really rather special.

They start out with a lovely crisp ribbing.  It’s a ridiculously simple 4 row repeat that you’ll have memorized in no time at all.  Once you’re done with that, you make a nice neat heel flap with a tiny little decoration down each side to keep things interesting.  A basic gusset is next.  Then comes my favorite part – the nifty arch shaping.  I promise it’s easier than it looks, and it produces a really marvelous effect.  After all that excitement you’re due for a quiet spell, so after the shaping you just knit straight until you’re ready for the toes.

These work for men or women (really, if you do them in a dark color, they look textured not lacy and will pass muster with most guys).  They’re written for 2 sizes, and by using either thick or thin sock yarn, you can create them in most any size from a women’s small through a men’s large.  The pattern also includes instructions for continuing the ribbing straight down the foot without the arch shaping, just in case you want some more conservative socks.

If you need to make some yourself, just click here!

For any of you dedicated athletes out there who want to start training (ie swatching) now, I should offer a note about size and gauge.  This sock is stretchy – astonishingly stretchy.  It’s also written in 2 sizes.  There are also a whole lot of sock yarn thicknesses floating around out there.  Stretchy design + 2 sizes + variety of sock yarns means you can likely get these to fit just about anyone.  In general, I suggest that you aim for a gauge of about 8.5 stitches per inch in thin sock yarn and about 7.5 stitches per inch in thick sock yarn.  At those gauges, the small size in a thin sock yarn will fit a small woman’s foot, the small size in a thick sock yarn will fit a medium/large woman’s foot, the large size in a thin sock yarn will fit a large/extra large woman’s or medium man’s foot, and the large size in a thick sock yarn will fit a large/extra large man’s foot.  I’m pretty darn confident you can make this fit.

Now go find a fetching track suit and don’t forget to stretch.

I have two patterns ready to go, Graupel (on the left) and Caprice (on the right).  Click on either to see gigantic versions if you’re so inclined.  One will be released in February and the other in March.  You pick.  I will take it as a given that they are both lovely and eagerly anticipated.  I promise I won’t feel slighted on behalf of the one that doesn’t win.  Leave a comment saying which you prefer, and the one with the most votes by Friday or so will be the next pattern I release.

I’m writing this pattern in two different sizes and including instructions to either do that fancy instep swirly bit or do straight ribbing all the way down the foot.  If you’ve fallen in love too and are itching to test them, keep an eye out on the Ravelry testing forum over the next few days.

That’s what I’m doing here.  The yarn is Hand Maiden’s Casbah Sock in Pewter, and it is a treat to work with.  It is a bit more expensive than what I normally buy, but it is absolutely worth it.  The color, feel, and durability are all outstanding.  The needles are my new Kollage square DPNs in a size 2.  I’d been pondering these for a long time, but I finally gave in and am glad I did.  They give me the gauge I’d get with 1.5s but are as comfortable to use as 2s.  I’m a loose knitter, and tiny needles hurt my hands, so this helps me get a sturdy fabric.

The combination of really nifty yarn and super comfortable needles is making this a marvelous sock to work on, even though it’s quite simple.  It’s the only thing I want to work on at the moment, in part because it’s so much fun to do and in part because I want them done so I can wear them!