Are you thinking of crazy nupps and gathered stitches when you hear Estonian stitches? There are also lace patterns that are much easier to knit and just as beautiful! A pattern called Half-Leaf inspired me to make these socks. I have named them after my paternal grandmother. She died three years before I was born and the only thing I know about her is that she was a good swimmer. Hopefully she would have liked these socks as much as I do.
Thanks to Andi Gallegos for knitting the sample!
Size
Small: 7″/18 cm circumference
Large: 9″/22.5 cm circumference
To be worn with 10-20 % negative ease.
Yarn
KnitPicks Stroll Tonal (75% Fine Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Nylon: 462 yards [422 meters]/100 gr): 1 ball Seashell
Thanks to KnitPicks for donating the yarn for this design.
Needles
Size US 00 (1.75 mm)* needles for knitting in the round (one long circular for magic loop or 2 circulars)
*I’m a loose knitter, you may want to try larger needles if your gauge is average.
Notions
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends; 2 stitch markers
Gauge
26.5 sts and 40 rounds = 4” [10 cm] in lace pattern after blocking, unstretched
Abbreviations
Please see our standard abbreviations.
Pattern notes
The socks are worked from the cuff down with a Short Row Heel and Star Toes.
Numbers before the parenthesis refer to size S, numbers in parentheses refer to size L, as in S (L).
All even rnds (not shown in the chart) are knit.
Chart
Sock Instructions
Ribbing
Using Old Norwegian Cast On or a stretchy CO of your choice, CO 48 (60) sts. Join in the round, being careful not to twist. Half of the sts will be on Ndl 1 and half on Ndl 2.
Next rnd:*K2, p2; rep from * around.
Repeat the last rnd 11 (14) times more.
Leg
Work rnds 1-12 of Chart 4 (5) times.
Turn the heel
Ndl 1 has the sole sts and Ndl 2 has the instep sts.
The heel turn is worked back and forth in rows over the sts on ndl 1 (sole) only. The instep sts just remain there, unworked.
Divide the sts on ndl 1 in two side panels and one center panel by placing markers after st 8 (10) and 16 (20).
Upper Section
Row 1 (RS): K to last sole st, w&t.
Row 2 (WS): P to last sole st, w&t.
Row 3: K to one st before last wrapped st, w&t.
Row 4: P to one st before last wrapped st, w&t.
Repeat the last 2 rows until all side panel sts have been wrapped.
Additional Rounds
Work 2 rnds, working the sole stitches in stockinette and working each wrap together with its stitch as you come to them, and the instep sts in pattern (see Note below). End the second round in the middle of the center panel.
Again, for this next section you will only be working on the sole sts.
Lower Section
Row 1: K to m, sm, w&t.
Row 2: P to second m, sm, w&t.
Row 3: K to wrapped stitch, work the wrap together with its stitch, w&t the next st.
Row 4: P to wrapped stitch, work the wrap together with its stitch, w&t the next st.
Repeat the last 2 rows until all side panel sts have been worked as wrapped stitches. Turn so you are facing the RS of the piece. You will be at the beginning of the sole sts.
Foot
Continue working in the round, keeping the sole stitches in stockinette and the instep stitches in pattern (see Note below). Work any remaining wraps together with their stitches as you come to them on the first rnd.
For size S, the Chart starts with stitch 1 and ends with stitch 12, as before.
For size L, to keep the pattern intact, start with stitch 7 and end with stitch 12.
Repeat rnds 1-12 of Chart until the foot meas 1.5” (2”) [3.75 cm (5.5 cm)] less than desired length, ending with either rnd 6 or 12. Pay attention to your row gauge, the complete toes add 15 (22) rnds. If you haven’t reached the desired length yet but can’t work another 6 rnds, continue in stockinette to desired foot length before working the toes.
Editor’s Note: this is telling you if you need the toe to be a bit longer (but not a full repeat longer) to just work the additional length in stockinette stitch (knit every stitch of every round).
Toe
Size L only
*Ssk, k13; rep from * around. (56 sts)
*Ssk, k5; rep from * around. (48 sts)
K 5 rnds.
All sizes
*Ssk, k4; rep from * around. (40 sts)
K 4 rnds.
*Ssk, k3; rep from * around (32 sts)
K 3 rnds.
*Ssk, k2; rep from * around (24 sts)
K 2 rnds.
*Ssk, k1; rep from * around (16 sts)
K 1 rnd.
*Ssk; rep from * around. (8 sts)
Break the yarn and thread it through the rem sts, pulling tight.
Finishing
Block as desired. Weave in ends.
About the Designer: Tanja Luescher
Thanks!
you’re welcome!
let us know how it works out for you 🙂
For size 10 socks should I cast on 72?
The size of knit socks is more driven by the circumference of the foot. Having said that, since most feet get larger in both length *and* width, 72 is probably a good choice.