Knitted Elven Socks
Knitted Elven Socks are whimsical and charming accessories that add a touch of magic to your wardrobe. Crafted with intricate patterns and soft yarn, these socks not only keep your feet warm but also bring a bit of fantasy into your everyday life. Whether you're a fan of fantasy worlds or simply enjoy cozy knitwear, slipping on a pair of Knitted Elven Socks is sure to make you smile. So, embrace your inner elf and step out in style with these delightful and unique socks!
Yarn: 4ply sock yarn. Sample is knitted in Hook & Light Falkland Merino 4ply, shop here!
Needles: 2.5mm circular needles or DPNs. Or size required to reach the gauge.
Gauge: 28 sts & 40 rows per 4” / 10cm
Stitches:
K (knit)
P (purl)
ssk (silp, slip, knit)
k2tog (knit two together)
ktbl (knit one stitch through the back loop)
w&t (wrap and turn)
yo (yarn over)
Sizing:
The pattern is written for a UK size 4-5 foot. It can be adapted by increasing or decreasing the total stitch count per sock by multiples of 24. A fully size adapted and formatted pdf version of the pattern can be purchased for instant download here.
Pattern
Stitch counts are written per sock, if you cast on for knitting two at a time, repeat the instructions for both socks.
Cast on:
I like to use Judy’s magic cast-on for toe-up socks (free tutorial here) and cast on both socks at a time on long circular needles.
Cast on 12 stitches for each sock (6 per needle). The rest of the pattern is written per sock, if you are knitting two at a time repeat each row of the pattern for both socks.
Toe:
Round 1: *K1, yo, K to last st on needle, yo, K1* twice. (4 sts increased)
Round 2: *K1, Ktbl, K to last two sts on needle, Ktbl, K1* twice
Repeat rounds 1 & 2 until you have a total of 48 stitches (24 on each needle)
Foot:
Start knitting the lace chart on the front panel of each sock only, there should be two repeats of the lace chart for each sock
Knit all the remaining stitches on the back of the sock
Continue to work the lace chart until the sock reaches 3.5 inches / 9 cm shorter than the total foot length
Make a note of where you ended on the lace chart as you will need to continue from this point after making the heel
The pattern looks best if you end after the two purl rows
Lace Chart:
Heel:
On the back half (without lace):
Row 1: K all st until 1 st remains, w&t
Row 2: P all st until 1 st remains, w&t
Row 3: K until 1st before wrapped st from previous row, w&t
Row 4: P until 1st before wrapped st from previous row, w&t
Repeat rows 3 & R 4 until you have 6 "live" unwrapped st in the middle. Finish on a Purl Row.
Row 5: K to first wrapped st. Pick up the wrap and K it together with the wrapped st, w&t. (2 wraps around this stitch)
Row 6: P to first wrapped st. Pick up the wrap and P it together with the wrapped st, w&t.
Row 7: K to the double-wrapped st, pick up both wraps and K them to tog with the wrapped st, w&t.
Row 8: P to the double-wrapped st, pick up both wraps and P them tog with the wrapped st, w&t.
Rep rows 7 & 8 until all wraps have been picked up and worked together with their respective sts.
Leg:
On the front stitches only continue to work the lace chart from where you left off until you reach either row 12 or 24 of the lace chart
Now continue to work the lace chart on the both the front and back panel until the leg reaches approximately 1.5” / 4cm less than your desired length
Make sure to end the leg after two purl rows for the cleanest look
Finishing:
Work 1x1 ribbing for 1.5” / 4cm
Bind off using a stretchy bind off method, free tutorial here
Weave in the ends & wash and block