Socks knitting pattern | Shepherd's dream| PDF file

'Shepherd's Dream' is cozy and fun top-down sock design that features a whimsical fringe edge, the Latvian braid and a traditional Baltic colorwork motif. The inspiration comes from Lithuanian mitten designs - I wanted to use these beautiful techniques and create something that is both new and very familiar. The name 'Shepard's dream' reflects the simplicity of the motif that allows you to make it whatever you like - flowers, snowflakes or fields behind the uncle's barn (as one poem says, this is where the world ends - at the edge of that field).

Since the socks are designed in natural yarn, the colorwork sections reinforce the fabric for longevity and warmth. The socks do not feature elastic rib cuff, which makes them less tight, so a typical 64 stitch sock 9size Medium in the pattern) will be a little wider than you expect from a traditional sock pattern, however the design was intended this way.

The pattern comes in 3 sizes - if you are using natural rustic yarn, I recommend sticking with your normal size - it should be enough for the socks to go past your instep. However if you are using sock yarn (superwash or not), I would recommend sizing up, as these yarns tend to make your gauge tighter.

The pattern is designed for US 1 (2.25mm) cable needles, but feel free to adjust the needle according to your liking, the lace pattern and the overall look will not change as long as you keep relatively tight gauge.

For the socks you will use 3 colors, 50g +20g + 10g of rustic fingering yarn. Any wool sock yarn will work, if it is not too drapey or thin, as it needs to hold the pattern and keep the texture. The pattern will bloom the best using plain, heathery or very lightly variegated colorway.