Almost Vanilla Sock Set

*The Almost Vanilla Sock is my take on the classic vanilla sock—simple, adaptable, and endlessly knitable. Knit them up plain for a timeless staple, or give them your own twist by incorporating one (or several) of the 15 included Southwest-inspired colorwork motifs. The pattern includes 7 sizes, ranging from baby through adult large, and also features a page of blank charts so you can create and customize your own motifs.* *This pattern came together slowly over the course of a year, knitted across the desert Southwest and Rocky Mountain landscapes I call home: the red rock country of Utah, the high deserts of New Mexico and Arizona, Wyoming's many limestone crags, and countless familiar trails in Colorado. With each pair, I added a new colorwork motif, allowing the pattern to evolve into something truly flexible.* *Along the way, I also discovered the unexpected joy of knitting sport-weight socks—thicker, cushier, and surprisingly fast to knit. (Who knew? Maybe you did, but it was a revelation to me!) That discovery inspired me to include sport-weight instructions alongside the original fingering-weight version, making this pattern a true choose-your-own-adventure experience.* *Whether you knit these socks plain or patterned, in fingering or sport, this is a pattern designed to become a trusted go-to in your knitting rotation—one you'll reach for again and again.* **NOTES** **Design & Construction:** The Almost Vanilla Socks are top-down socks with a traditional heel flap and gusset. What sets this pattern apart is its flexibility: knit them in fingering or sport weight yarn, work them plain for classic vanilla socks, or add optional colorwork to the leg, foot, or both. Choose from 15 Southwest-inspired geometric motifs that can be mixed and matched to create your perfect pair—from a single, subtle accent to multiple bold, stacked patterns—or create your own motif using the page of blank charts found after my charts. **Fit:** These socks are designed to fit with approximately 0.25 to 1 in. (1 to 2.5 cm) of negative ease for a snug, comfortable fit. To choose your size, measure the circumference of your foot at its fullest point—typically around the ankle where it meets the foot. Then subtract 0.25 to 1 in. (1 to 2.5 cm) from that measurement. Select the size with a finished circumference closest to the result. **Yarn:** The yarn estimates provided in this pattern are approximations, calculated to allow for both a sizable swatch and the socks, with a small margin of error. Your actual yarn usage may vary based on factors such as your personal gauge, the yarn’s characteristics (e.g., fiber content, ply, thickness), and any modifications you make to the pattern. **Stitch Patterns:** The stranded colorwork stitch pattern in this pattern are only charted, so you should be confident in your chart reading skills—or be open to learning! **Additional Notes:** See the Notes section of the pattern for additional info on yarn considerations and choosing colors that make the motifs stand out and helpful tips on knitting stranded colorwork. **SIZES** (1, 2, 3)(4, 5, 6, 7) [#sizeinclusive][3] *These socks are intended to be worn with approximately 0.25 to 1 in. (1 to 2.5 cm) of negative ease. The sample socks are pictured in Size 4 with 0.75 in. (2 cm) of negative ease (fingering weight socks) and 1.25 in. (3 cm) of negative ease (sport weight socks).* **FINISHED MEASUREMENTS** *This pattern includes instructions for both light fingering and sport weight yarn. The circumference as measured around the foot and leg is as follows.* **Fingering weight:** (4.5, 5.25, 6.25)(7, 8, 9, 9.75) in. or (11.5, 13, 15.5)(17.5, 20, 22.5, 24.5) cm **Sport weight:** (4.25, 5.25, 6.5)(7.5, 8.5, 9.5, 10.75) in. or (10.5, 13, 16.5)(19, 21.5, 24, 27) cm **YARN** **Light fingering weight or sport weight** *Exact yarn requirements will vary based on your customization choices. The estimates that follow are organized by sock length and colorwork options. The MC yardage listed is sufficient for a complete solid-color sock. If you're adding CC elements, calculate your total CC needs by adding together the yardage for each element you plan to include. For example, for 2 colorwork motifs plus a contrast cuff and toe, add: cuff & toe yardage + 20 yds/20 m for colorwork (10 yds/10 m per motif × 2).* **Fingering weight** *The listed totals below assume a light fingering weight yarn of 100 g/400 yds or 366 m.* **MC (ankle length):** (35, 40, 50)(60, 70, 80, 90) g/(140, 160, 200)(240, 280, 320, 360) yds or (130, 145, 185)(220, 255, 295, 330) m **MC (shorty length):** (35, 45, 55)(60, 75, 85, 95) g/(140, 180, 220)(240, 300, 340, 380) yds or (130, 165, 200)(220, 275, 310, 345) m **MC (mid-calf length):** (45, 45, 50)(70, 85, 110, 130) g/(180, 180, 200)(280, 340, 440, 520) yds or (165, 165, 185)(255, 310, 400, 475) m **CC (per colorwork motif):** 5 g/10 yds or 10 m **CC (cuff & toe):** (10, 15, 20)(20, 25, 25, 30) g/(25, 35, 50)(50, 60, 60, 70) yds or (25, 30, 45)(45, 55, 55, 65) m **- or -** **Sport weight** *The listed totals below assume a sport weight yarn of 75 g/300 yds or 274 m.* **MC (ankle length):** (30, 35, 50)(55, 65, 80, 90) g/(120, 140, 200)(220, 260, 320, 360) yds or (110, 130, 185)(200, 240, 295, 330) m **MC (shorty length):** (30, 40, 50)(60, 75, 85, 100) g/(120, 160, 200)(240, 300, 340, 400) yds or (110, 145, 185)(220, 275, 310, 365) m **MC (mid-calf length):** (40, 40, 50)(65, 85, 105, 130) g/(160, 160, 200)(260, 340, 420, 520) yds or (145, 145, 185)(240, 310, 385, 475) m **CC (per colorwork motif):** 5 g/10 yds or 10 m **CC (cuff & toe):** (10, 15, 20)(20, 25, 30, 35) g/(25, 35, 50)(50, 60, 70, 85) yds or (25, 30, 45)(45, 55, 65, 80) m **SUGGESTED YARN** Your stash! This pattern is perfect for stash diving! While I've listed the specific yarns I used below, I whole-heartedly encourage you to create a color palette that's uniquely yours. The customizable nature of this design makes it ideal for using leftovers, mini skeins, or those special souvenir skeins you've been saving for just the right project. **Fingering weight** Hedgehog Fibres Twist Sock (100 g/400 yds (365 m)) – 80% superwash Bluefaced Leicester, 20% nylon Manos del Uruguay Alegria (100 g/445 yds (407 m)) – 75% superwash Merino, 25% nylon **Sport weight** The Farmer's Daughter Fibers The Spinster's Daughter (75 g/300 yds (274 m)) – 100% super-wash American Wool Spincycle Yarns Dyed in the Wool (50 g/200 yds (183 m)) – 100% superwash American Wool **NEEDLES** **Fingering weight** Needle A (ribbing & stockinette): US 0 (2 mm) Needle B (colorwork): US 1 (2.25 mm) **Sport weight** Needle A (ribbing & stockinette): US 1 (2.25 mm) Needle B (colorwork): US 1.5 (2.5 mm) *For each needle size, you will need 32 in. (80 cm) circular needles to work in the round using the magic loop method, or your preferred needles for smaller circumference knitting, such as short circular or double-pointed needles* **GAUGE** *Measure gauge knit in the round, after blocking.* **Fingering weight** 36 sts and 46 rows = 4 in. (10 cm) in stockinette on Needle A 36 sts and 44 rows = 4 in. (10 cm) in stranded colorwork on Needle B **Sport weight** 30 sts and 42 rows = 4 in. (10 cm) in stockinette on Needle A 30 sts and 40 rows = 4 in. (10 cm) in stranded colorwork on Needle B **SKILLS TO USE (OR LEARN!)** Knitting Purling Increasing Decreasing Knitting in the round Knitting flat Cuff-down construction German twisted cast-on 2x2 ribbings Stranded colorwork Chart reading Grafting stitches together (i.e., Kitchener stitch) A versatile, size-inclusive sock knitting pattern (baby to adult XL) with options for two yarn weights and optional colorwork. Ideal for beginner sock knitters, knitters new to colorwork, or anyone looking for a flexible, go-to sock pattern. [1]: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/shaniko-sweater [2]: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/shaniko-hat [3]: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search?query=%23sizeinclusive