Sunbury Socks Knitting Pattern

Sunbury Socks by Spud & Chloë

What Is Being Made

Sunbury Socks is a downloadable knitting pattern for a pair of women's socks designed by Virginia Sattler-Reimer. The pattern includes instructions for five finished sizes ranging from Women's XS through XL, with corresponding adjustments for leg length, foot circumference, and foot length. Each sock features a sophisticated lace pattern and is constructed using seamless, top-down knitting techniques.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level sock pattern employs several key knitting techniques to create a refined finished garment:

• Top-Down Construction: The socks are knitted from the leg downward to the foot, allowing for easy fitting adjustments and the ability to try on the sock as you work.
• Seamless, In-the-Round Knitting: Using double-pointed needles, the entire sock is worked in continuous rounds, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a smooth, comfortable fit.
• Lace Pattern: The defining design feature is a beautiful nesting arrows lace motif that runs along the leg and instep, created through strategic yarn-overs and decreases that form decorative openwork.
• Stitch Manipulation: The pattern incorporates knit and purl stitches to create textured ribbing on the leg, providing stretch and structure to keep the socks secure on the foot.

Stitches Used

The Sunbury Socks pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined to achieve both functional and decorative results:

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch used for the foot and leg sections, creating a smooth, classic knit fabric that serves as the foundation for the lace pattern.
• Ribbing (K1, P2, K2): A 1x2 rib pattern worked on the initial rounds of the leg provides elasticity and a fitted appearance.
• Nesting Arrows Lace Chart: A charted lace pattern that incorporates yarn-overs (yo) and decreases such as knit 2 together (k2tog) and purl 2 together (p2tog) to create the signature openwork design.
• Decreases: Strategic use of k2tog and p2tog stitches shape the sock and form the lace motif throughout the pattern.

Materials and Yarn

The Sunbury Socks pattern calls for specific materials to achieve the intended drape, comfort, and durability:

• Yarn: Spud & Chloë Fine, a luxury blend of 80% Superwash Wool and 20% Silk. This fiber content provides softness, durability, and a subtle sheen. The yardage is 248 yards per 65-gram hank, and the pattern requires 2 to 3 hanks depending on the finished size (Women's XS requires 2 hanks, while Women's L and XL require 3 hanks).
• Needles: The pattern uses two sizes of double-pointed needles. Size 0 (2.00 mm) needles are used for picking up stitches, while Size 1 (2.25 mm) double-pointed needles are used for the main knitting. The gauge in stockinette stitch is 34 stitches and 44 rows over 4 inches using the largest needles.
• Notions: Additional supplies include stitch holders or waste yarn for holding stitches, stitch markers to denote pattern repeats and round beginnings, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Sizing and Finished Measurements

The pattern provides five size options to accommodate different foot sizes:

• Women's XS: Leg length 6½", Foot circumference 7½", Foot length 8¼"
• Women's S: Leg length 6½", Foot circumference 8", Foot length 8¾"
• Women's M: Leg length 7¾", Foot circumference 8½", Foot length 9½"
• Women's L: Leg length 7¾", Foot circumference 9¼", Foot length 10"
• Women's XL: Leg length 7¾", Foot circumference 9¾", Foot length 10¾"