Vikki Bird Designs: Hiding in the Bamboo Socks

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When I’m out and about, or at home on the sofa watching TV, I like to knit socks that are just one step up from vanilla: socks that have just enough patterning to keep me interested and to mark progress. Hiding in the Bamboo are just that: the socks feature an all-over rib-pattern that is easy to memorize, with just two rows that are different in every ten-round repeat. The socks were inspired by the yarn – the colour made me think of walks round the bamboo plantation in our local botanical garden, where the kids love to hide, before jumping out and shouting ‘boo’ while I hunt for them.

The socks are knitted from the top down using a standard heel flap and gusset construction. The foot length of the socks is adjustable to fit. I’ve written the pattern for 5 sizes, ranging from 13 cm (5.25 in) to 28 cm (11.25 in), so you can make these socks for the whole family.

I knitted my socks in MillaMia Naturally Soft Sock**, which is a great value sock yarn that is hard-wearing and comes in a great range of soft, muted colours. It’s a wool/nylon blend and the added nylon helps to strengthen the sock.

The pattern is written to be needle-neutral and can be knitted using either the magic-loop technique, short circulars or DPNs, depending on your individual preference. The pattern also features helpful hints for beginners.

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Sizes

XS (S, M, L, XL)

Finished sock circumferences: 13 (17, 20.5, 24.5, 28) cm [5.25 (6.75, 8.25, 9.75, 11.25) in]; for the best fit, choose a size that is approximately 2.5 cm [1 in] smaller than your foot circumference.

Leg length to heel: 12.5 (15, 18, 20.5, 23) cm [5 (6, 7, 8, 9) in].

Foot length is adjustable.

Tension

32 sts and 44 rnds = 10 cm [4 in] in stocking stitch and worked in the rnd on 2.5 mm (US 1.5) needle(s) after wet blocking, or size needed to obtain correct tension.

Yarn

130 (215, 315, 440, 565) m [145, 240, 345, 485, 620) yds] 4ply-weight sock yarn (yardages are approximate as the amount of yarn used will depend on the length of the foot, which is adjustable).

I would recommend using a dedicated sock yarn that is tightly plied wool and has some nylon content for durability.

Needles

2.5 mm (US 1.5) DPNs, 15 cm [6 in], set of 5, or

2.5 mm (US 1.5) circular needle, at least 80 cm [32 in] in length to work magic loop, or

2.5 mm (US 1.5) circular needle, 22.5 cm [9 in] in length

Notions

Stitch markers x 5

Pattern notes

The sample details are as follows: MillaMia Naturally Soft Sock** (4-ply, 200 m per 50 g ball, 75% wool, 25% nylon) in 522 Laurel. Knitted in size M.

Pattern edited by Jo Torr.

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