Almost Vanilla Sock Set

Design & Construction: The Almost Vanilla Socks are top-down socks with a traditional heel flap and gusset. What sets this pattern apart is its flexibility: knit them in fingering or sport weight yarn, work them plain for classic vanilla socks, or add optional colorwork to the leg, foot, or both. Choose from 15 Southwest-inspired geometric motifs that can be mixed and matched to create your perfect pair—from a single, subtle accent to multiple bold, stacked patterns—or create your own motif using the page of blank charts found after my charts.

Fit: These socks are designed to fit with approximately 0.25 to 1 in. (1 to 2.5 cm) of negative ease for a snug, comfortable fit. To choose your size, measure the circumference of your foot at its fullest point—typically around the ankle where it meets the foot. Then subtract   0.25 to 1 in. (1 to 2.5 cm) from that measurement. Select the size with a finished circumference closest to the result.

Yarn: The yarn estimates provided in this pattern are approximations, calculated to allow for both a sizable swatch and the socks, with a small margin of error. Your actual yarn usage may vary based on factors such as your personal gauge, the yarn’s characteristics (e.g., fiber content, ply, thickness), and any modifications you make to the pattern.

Stitch Patterns: The stranded colorwork stitch pattern in this pattern are only charted, so you should be confident in your chart reading skills—or be open to learning!

Additional Notes: See the Notes section of the pattern for additional info on yarn considerations and choosing colors that make the motifs stand out and helpful tips on knitting stranded colorwork.

SIZES
(1, 2, 3)(4, 5, 6, 7)

These socks are intended to be worn with approximately 0.25 to 1 in. (1 to 2.5 cm) of negative ease. The sample socks are pictured in Size 4 with 0.75 in. (2 cm) of negative ease (fingering weight socks) and 1.25 in. (3 cm) of negative ease (sport weight socks).

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
This pattern includes instructions for both light fingering and sport weight yarn. The circumference as measured around the foot and leg is as follows.

Fingering weight: (4.5, 5.25, 6.25)(7, 8, 9, 9.75) in. or (11.5, 13, 15.5)(17.5, 20, 22.5, 24.5) cm

Sport weight: (4.25, 5.25, 6.5)(7.5, 8.5, 9.5, 10.75) in. or (10.5, 13, 16.5)(19, 21.5, 24, 27) cm

YARN
Light fingering weight or sport weight

Exact yarn requirements will vary based on your customization choices. The estimates that follow are organized by sock length and colorwork options. The MC yardage listed is sufficient for a complete solid-color sock. If you're adding CC elements, calculate your total CC needs by adding together the yardage for each element you plan to include. For example, for 2 colorwork motifs plus a contrast cuff and toe, add: cuff & toe yardage + 20 yds/20 m for colorwork (10 yds/10 m per motif × 2).

Fingering weight
The listed totals below assume a light fingering weight yarn of 100 g/400 yds or 366 m.

MC (ankle length): (35, 40, 50)(60, 70, 80, 90) g/(140, 160, 200)(240, 280, 320, 360) yds or (130, 145, 185)(220, 255, 295, 330) m

MC (shorty length): (35, 45, 55)(60, 75, 85, 95) g/(140, 180, 220)(240, 300, 340, 380) yds or (130, 165, 200)(220, 275, 310, 345) m

MC (mid-calf length): (45, 45, 50)(70, 85, 110, 130) g/(180, 180, 200)(280, 340, 440, 520) yds or (165, 165, 185)(255, 310, 400, 475) m

CC (per colorwork motif): 5 g/10 yds or 10 m

CC (cuff & toe): (10, 15, 20)(20, 25, 25, 30) g/(25, 35, 50)(50, 60, 60, 70) yds or (25, 30, 45)(45, 55, 55, 65) m

- or -

Sport weight
The listed totals below assume a sport weight yarn of 75 g/300 yds or 274 m.

MC (ankle length): (30, 35, 50)(55, 65, 80, 90) g/(120, 140, 200)(220, 260, 320, 360) yds or (110, 130, 185)(200, 240, 295, 330) m

MC (shorty length): (30, 40, 50)(60, 75, 85, 100) g/(120, 160, 200)(240, 300, 340, 400) yds or (110, 145, 185)(220, 275, 310, 365) m

MC (mid-calf length): (40, 40, 50)(65, 85, 105, 130) g/(160, 160, 200)(260, 340, 420, 520) yds or (145, 145, 185)(240, 310, 385, 475) m

CC (per colorwork motif): 5 g/10 yds or 10 m

CC (cuff & toe): (10, 15, 20)(20, 25, 30, 35) g/(25, 35, 50)(50, 60, 70, 85) yds or (25, 30, 45)(45, 55, 65, 80) m

SUGGESTED YARN

Your stash!

This pattern is perfect for stash diving! While I've listed the specific yarns I used below, I whole-heartedly encourage you to create a color palette that's uniquely yours. The customizable nature of this design makes it ideal for using leftovers, mini skeins, or those special souvenir skeins you've been saving for just the right project.

Fingering weight

Hedgehog Fibres Twist Sock (100 g/400 yds (365 m)) – 80% superwash Bluefaced Leicester, 20% nylon

Manos del Uruguay Alegria (100 g/445 yds (407 m)) – 75% superwash Merino, 25% nylon

Sport weight

The Farmer's Daughter Fibers The Spinster's Daughter (75 g/300 yds (274 m)) – 100% super-wash American Wool

Spincycle Yarns Dyed in the Wool (50 g/200 yds (183 m)) – 100% superwash American Wool

NEEDLES

Fingering weight
Needle A (ribbing & stockinette): US 0 (2 mm)
Needle B (colorwork): US 1 (2.25 mm)

Sport weight
Needle A (ribbing & stockinette): US 1 (2.25 mm)
Needle B (colorwork): US 1.5 (2.5 mm)

For each needle size, you will need 32 in. (80 cm) circular needles to work in the round using the magic loop method, or your preferred needles for smaller circumference knitting, such as short circular or double-pointed needles.

Measure gauge knit in the round, after blocking.

Fingering weight
36 sts and 46 rows = 4 in. (10 cm) in stockinette on Needle A
36 sts and 44 rows = 4 in. (10 cm) in stranded colorwork on Needle B

Sport weight
30 sts and 42 rows = 4 in. (10 cm) in stockinette on Needle A
30 sts and 40 rows = 4 in. (10 cm) in stranded colorwork on Needle B

Knitting
Purling
Increasing
Decreasing
Knitting in the round
Knitting flat
Cuff-down construction
German twisted cast-on
2x2 ribbings
Stranded colorwork
Chart reading
Grafting stitches together (i.e., Kitchener stitch)