Warning: Socks are addictive

I liked the results of "Inga Loves Fröderick" so much that they were immediately followed by two subsequent worsted-weight sock patterns which happened almost on their own. Here they are: Larkspur Lane and Bells On Her Toes. (Speaking of the Inga socks, congratulations to KatherineR, who guessed the movie which inspired the pattern name: Young Frankenstein, starring Gene Wilder as Frederick and Teri Garr as Inga.

The "Larkspur Lane" Socks are knit in the round from the top down. They feature a ribbed lace cuff and matching accents at the gussets. The lace rib pattern is easily memorized, with a 4-stitch, 4 row repeat which is provided in both written and charted form. The smooth stockinette foot makes these good to wear with shoes or boots, but they also make cozy, comfortable house or bed socks.

Detailed instructions are included for the Eye of Partridge heel flap, which is especially comfortable for those with wider feet. For a more narrow heel, a plain or slip-stitch ribbed flap could easily be substituted. (Instructions for alternate heel flaps are not included.) Yarn shown: Cascade 220, 100% Peruvian highland wool, 220 yd / 200 m, color 2422 (lavender). Skills: Knit, purl, knitting in the round, following a simple lace pattern, short rows, picking up stitches, grafting. Note: Photo shows size Small on woman’s size 8 foot.

Larkspur Lane: $5.95 from Ravelry or Patternfish

Remember those lace-edged anklets you had when you were 8? These are a grown-up version. The "Bells On Her Toes" Socks are knit in the round from the top down. They feature a ruffled and ribbed cuff which can be worn pulled up with a flare at the top or folded down. The smooth stockinette foot makes these good to wear with shoes or boots, but they also make cozy, comfortable house or bed socks. The majority of the sock is knit in either rib or stockinette, making it a very quick, easy knit - in fact, they were the quickest pair of socks I ever made! From cast-off to blocking, they took about 7 hours. Done in day; can't beat that. They're easy, too - the majority of the sock is worked in either ribbing or stockinette stitch. I like them both folded over and pulled straight up.

The pattern includes detailed instructions for the Eye of Partridge heel flap, which is especially comfortable for those with wider feet. For a more narrow heel, a plain or slip-stitch ribbed flap could easily be substituted. (Instructions for alternate heel flaps are not included.) Yarn shown: Cascade 220, 100% Peruvian highland wool, 220 yd / 200 m, color 7805 (hot pink). Skills: Knit, purl, knitting in the round, short rows, picking up stitches, decreasing, grafting. Note: Photos show Adult Small on woman’s size 8 foot.

Bells On Her Toes: $5.95 at Ravelry or Patternfish 

Inga Loves Fröderick, and a contest

New today is my first official sock design: Inga Loves Fröderick. Knit in worsted-weight yarn with classic top-down, heel-flap construction, they are a quick-knit pair of socks with a lot of impact. The design on the front may resemble a traditional Bavarian or Celtic motif, but the twisted-stitch medallions on the front are actually an original design based on a leaded-glass panel. The finished socks can be left as-is or customized with embroidery in your choice of colors for a truly unique pair of socks. Worked in a dark or subdued color, and with the embroidery omitted, the pattern could be worn by a man, too; sizes are included to fit foot circumference: 7.5 (8.5, 9.5)" / 19 (21.5, 24) cm.

Contest: Why the name? The Bavarian-style stitches made Inga an appropriate name. I thought it needed something more, however, and Inga and Fröderick (or Frederick) are characters from a movie. Here's the contest: the first person to email the name of the movie and the names of the actors who played those characters to knitdesignbycaroline (at) gmail (dot) com wins a free copy of your choice of KnitDesign by Caroline pattern.* See them all here. Rest assured, I won't share your email address with anyone; I only need it to send you a copy of the pattern. If you prefer to receive the patern via Ravelry, please mention that and give me your Ravelry ID.

I enjoyed knitting Inga Loves Fröderick. The pair went so quickly! They're exceptionally cozy, too. The yarn, Cascade 220 Wool, didn't feel exceptionally soft while I was working with it, but after a light handwash and block, it feels very good on the feet. I've been wearing them all day. They may be my first sock design, but they won't be the last. More will be coming soon.

And look at that - 30 years later, ballet lessons are useful in a sock modeling career!

Buy now: $5.95 at Ravelry
Buy now: $5.95 at Patternfish

*Small print: individual design only; pattern collections not included.