Mercury Stirrup Socks Knitting Pattern

Mercury Stirrup Socks Knitting Pattern by Lion Brand

Project Overview

The Mercury Stirrup Socks are a pair of fair isle stirrup socks designed for yoga, pedicures, and everyday wear. This intermediate-level knitting pattern from Lion Brand produces one size woman's medium socks with a finished circumference of 8 inches (20.5 cm) and finished length of 11 1/2 inches (29 cm). The socks are engineered to fit with negative ease, meaning the sock circumference should be less than body measurement to achieve a snug, secure fit that stays in place during active wear.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

These socks are worked in the round using the traditional sock construction method, beginning at the upper edge and progressing downward. The pattern incorporates fair isle colorwork, a stranded knitting technique that creates intricate patterns by carrying colors not in use across the wrong side of the work. This technique adds visual interest while maintaining the fabric's integrity and elasticity. The heel features a slit construction with single crochet trim worked using a crochet hook, though crafters may choose to embroider blanket stitch around the heel slit as an alternative finishing method. The pattern notes specify that all chart rounds should be read from right to left, a standard practice in circular knitting.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch pattern used in these socks is stockinette stitch worked in the round, abbreviated as St st, which creates a smooth, classic knit fabric. The cuff features a K2, p2 Rib pattern worked in the round, which alternates two knit stitches with two purl stitches in a repeating multiple of four stitches. This ribbed cuff provides elasticity and helps the socks maintain their shape and stay securely in place. The fair isle colorwork sections are created by following a chart while working stockinette stitch in the round with two colors.

Materials and Tools

The Mercury Stirrup Socks pattern calls for Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool Yarn in two colors: one ball of Oatmeal (color A) and one ball of Nature's Brown (color B), providing 150 yards total of yarn. The recommended needles are Lion Brand Double-Pointed Needles in Size 8, which are essential for working socks in the round using the traditional three-needle method. Additional tools include a Lion Brand Crochet Hook Size H-8 specifically for the heel slit trim, stitch markers to indicate the beginning of rounds, and a large-eye blunt needle for weaving in yarn ends and seaming.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 21 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch worked in the round. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper sizing; if your gauge produces fewer stitches and rows per inch, use smaller needles, and if it produces more, use larger needles. The socks are sized as one size woman's medium and are designed to fit snugly on the leg due to the negative ease construction.

Pattern Features

The pattern includes fair isle colorwork that is followed from a provided chart, making it suitable for intermediate knitters who are comfortable with stranded colorwork techniques. The stirrup construction keeps the socks anchored under the foot during yoga practice or other activities. The pattern was last updated as of April 1, 2010, with no corrections noted at that time. Two identical socks are created using the same pattern instructions.