Dragon Fairy Socks

DESIGN INSPIRATION On the way home from school one winter afternoon, as I was finishing up the second sock for this sample, my daughter was arguing that she didn’t feel cold outside because she is a “Fire Fairy.” My 3-yo piped up and declared that he is a “Dragon Fairy,” and I thought the conversation was just the cutest thing. I was struck by how the texture on the front of these socks resembles dragon scales and how the knitted bars highlight individual colors in the fabric like the sun glinting off of iridescent fairy wings. Thus, I decided to call these socks the “Dragon Fairy Socks.” The texture on these socks makes the pattern ideal for any yarn dyeing style, from solid to variegated and anything in between. CONSTRUCTION The Dragon Fairy Socks are knit cuff-down, beginning with a German Twisted Cast-On and 2x2 rib. The front of the sock features a textured panel, and the back of the sock is stockinette for speedy knitting. A traditional heel flap and gusset make for a great overall fit, and a rounded toe and Kitchener stitch finish off the sock. PATTERN INFORMATION *Difficulty Rating* EASY: Project is worked in the round from the cuff down and includes an easy textured stitch and decreases. Kitchener stitch is used to finish off the toe. *Recommended Yarn* Sock by Teal Torch Knits, 75% superwash merino wool/25% nylon, 463 yds (423 m) per 3.5 oz (100 g): 1 skein (shown in Cake by the Ocean) OR approximately 400 yds (366 m) light fingering to fingering weight yarn. This pattern will play nicely with any fingering weight merino/merino nylon blend yarn in solid, tonal, speckled, or variegated colorways. *Needles/Notions* * US #1 (2.25 mm) 32-40” (80-100 cm) circular, or five double-pointed needles; OR size needed to obtain gauge. * Tapestry needle for Kitchener stitch and weaving in ends. * 3 stitch markers. *Gauge* 36 sts and 48 rnds to 4” (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on US #1 (2.25 mm) needles. Pattern gauge was measured after washing and blocking. *Sizes Available* 48 {56, 64, **72**, **80**} sts *Finished Measurements* 5.25 {6.25, 7, **8**, **9**}” (13.5 {15.8, 18, **20.3**, **22.6**} cm) leg and foot circumference, unstretched. Recommended fit is 0.5-1.5” (1-3.8 cm) negative ease. The model has a ball of foot measurement of 8.5” (21.5 cm) and leg measurement of 8.5” (21.5 cm) and is wearing a 64 sts sample. The model typically wears 64-st vanilla socks. To get the best fit, choose the size with the CO stitch count closest to what you would CO for vanilla socks using your preferred needle size and sock yarn. This pattern has been tech edited and test knit.