Olina Socks Knitting Pattern

Olina Socks in Berroco Ultra Wool Fine

What is Being Made

Olina Socks are a pair of knitted socks designed by Alison Green, featured in Berroco Booklet #403. These socks are crafted to fit a finished foot circumference of approximately 7½ inches, making them suitable for average adult sizing. The design incorporates both textured ribbing and charted colorwork or stitch pattern elements, creating visual interest throughout the sock construction.

Craft and Techniques

This is a knitting project classified at an intermediate skill level. The socks are worked in the round using the traditional method of small circumference knitting, which allows for seamless construction. The pattern employs several key techniques including:

• Working in the round using double-pointed needles or preferred small circumference needles
• Establishing and maintaining a charted stitch or colorwork pattern across multiple rounds
• Creating a heel flap using flat knitting (back and forth rows) while keeping instep stitches on hold
• Short row shaping to form the heel cup and create proper sock fit
• Gauge-dependent construction to ensure accurate finished measurements

Stitches Used

The Olina Socks utilize fundamental knitting stitches combined with pattern work:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st) — forms the primary fabric structure, particularly in the heel flap and foot sections
• Ribbing — specifically a purl 1, knit 1 through the back loop (p1, k1tbl) rib, which creates the elastic cuff and measures 1 inch from the cast-on edge
• Charted Pattern — a 19-stitch repeat worked over 16 rounds, repeated multiple times to create the decorative element on the instep and leg sections
• Slip Stitch — used at the beginning of heel flap rows for a finished edge

Materials and Tools

The Olina Socks are designed to be knitted with Berroco Ultra Wool Fine yarn, a 100-gram ball in colorway #53122 Sunflower. One ball of yarn provides sufficient yardage to complete the pair of socks.

The required needles and notions include:

• One set of size 2 (2.75 mm) double-pointed needles or preferred needles for working small circumferences in the round, or size as needed to obtain proper gauge
• Five stitch markers, with one in a contrasting color to denote the beginning of round
• A tapestry needle for weaving in ends

The recommended gauge is 30 stitches and 40 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure the finished socks measure approximately 7½ inches around the foot as designed.

Pattern Overview

Construction begins with casting on 58 stitches and joining to work in the round. After establishing the ribbed cuff, the charted pattern is introduced and worked repeatedly until the leg section reaches the appropriate length. The heel is then worked flat using the traditional heel flap and short row shaping method, while the instep stitches remain on hold. This downloadable PDF pattern provides complete instructions for creating a finished pair of intermediate-level socks with both textural and patterned elements.