Kirkstall Socks Knitting Pattern

Kirkstall Socks in Rowan Sock

What Is Being Made

The Kirkstall Socks are a pair of knitted socks designed to fit various foot circumferences. This intermediate-level knitting project features a decorative lace pattern on the upper foot, combined with classic sock construction including a shaped gusset and heel. The socks are available in three sizes to accommodate foot circumferences of 20 cm (7¾ in), 23 cm (9 in), and 26 cm (10¼ in), with foot length customizable to individual preference.

Techniques Used

This sock pattern employs several essential knitting techniques suitable for intermediate crafters. The construction begins with circular knitting using either double-pointed needles or the magic loop technique on a circular needle. Key shaping techniques include gusset increases using make-one stitches (M1L and M1R) to accommodate the foot width, followed by heel shaping worked flat with strategic increases and wrapped stitches to create a reinforced heel cup. The pattern demonstrates yarn-over lace work integrated into stockinette stitch, requiring knitters to manage both decorative and functional elements simultaneously.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch (st st): Forms the primary fabric for most of the sock, created by knitting on right-side rounds and purling on wrong-side rows
• Yarn-overs (yfwd): Create the lace pattern openings on the upper foot
• Knit two together (K2 tog): A right-leaning decrease used to balance yarn-overs in the lace pattern
• Slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over (sl 1, K1, psso): A left-leaning decrease that pairs with yarn-overs for symmetrical lace
• Make-one stitches (M1L and M1R): Invisible increases used for gusset shaping, picked up from the horizontal loop between stitches
• Wrapped stitches: Used during heel construction to prevent holes when turning the work
• Slip stitches (sl 1): Worked with yarn at front (wyaf) or back (wyab) to create neat edges and transitions

Lace Pattern Details

The decorative element features an 8-round repeat that creates an expanding diamond or leaf-like motif on the upper foot. The pattern begins with yarn-overs and decreases positioned 12 [14: 16] stitches from the start of the round, gradually expanding outward through increases in yarn-over spacing (from K1 to K3 to K5 to K7) while maintaining balanced decreases on either side. All stitches outside the patterned section are worked in plain stockinette stitch, allowing the lace to stand out as a focal point.

Materials

The Kirkstall Socks are worked using Rowan Sock yarn, a specialized sock yarn requiring one 100-gram ball per pair. The pattern is photographed in the colorway Coral 005. Needles required are 2½mm (US 1 size 12/13), available as either a set of five double-pointed needles for traditional circular sock knitting or a single 80 cm circular needle if using the magic loop technique. The recommended tension is 32 stitches and 43 rows to 10 cm measured over stockinette stitch using the specified needle size, ensuring proper fit and fabric drape.

Pattern Format

This design is provided as a downloadable PDF pattern, making it accessible for immediate use once purchased. The pattern includes detailed round-by-round instructions for all three sizes, with stitch counts bracketed to indicate variations [smallest: small: largest].