Forest Walk Socks

Spending time mindfully in our local forest is one of my favorite activities. I find it has a calming and peaceful effect and boosts my sense of personal well-being. In Japan, they call this “forest bathing” and it has been part of their holistic preventative healthcare there since 1980. Inspired by the forest paths I often walk here in Switzerland and their beautiful, lush green, orange and brown hues, I wanted to create a thick, warm pair of walking socks—or lounging around home dreaming of the forest socks. Whatever you might prefer! **Construction Notes** These socks are made using thicker weight, DK sock yarn, so they are quick to make and very warm to wear. They start with an I-cord cast on and continue with a pretty Latvian braid, which is not only decorative but also helps the sock stay up (with the colorwork too) and replaces the need for a ribbing section. With an easy, small and fun colorwork section for the trees, this sock pattern is a quick knit that is suitable even for less experienced sock knitters. The traditional heel flap and gusset is followed by a plain stockinette foot section and ends with a tiny section of colorwork before the toe decreases. This pattern creates a very cozy and warm pair of socks for anyone who is an admirer of the forest. **Sizing** 1 (2) To fit: [foot circumference] 8¼–9 (9¼–10¼) inches / 21–23 (24–26) cm **Yarn** Light DK weight yarn, Rowan Felted Tweed (50% wool, 25% viscose, 25% alpaca), 191 yds 175 m) per 50-g skein. Shown in **MC:** Avocado 1(2) skeins **CC1:** Ginger 1(1) skein **CC2:** Treacle 1(1) skein Any DK weight sock yarn can be used for this sock pattern as long as you can achieve gauge. A good substitute would be KnitPicks® CityTweed DK. **Needles** For stockinette: US 2.5 (3 mm), 32-inch (80-cm) circular for magic loop, or DPNs, or two circulars or a 9-inch (23-cm) circular needle (as preferred). For colorwork: US 3 (3.25 mm), 32-inch (80-cm) circular for magic loop, or DPNs, or two circulars or a 9-inch circular needle (as preferred). **Gauge** 24 sts x 34 rnds = 4 inches (10 cm) for stockinette, on smaller needle. 24 sts x 32 rnds = 4 inches (10 cm) for colorwork, on larger needle.