Poolside Socks

The idea for the Poolside Socks came to me whilst sitting poolside knitting on a sock and watching my daughter’s swimming lesson. The cool blue tones of the water and the bright glistening lights from above are fascinating to watch as the water ripples and splashes, making the colours of the tiles on the bottom dance to the music of children having fun. The easy to memorise cable pattern on the poolside socks is intended to resemble the undulating movement of the pool and be a fun project to work on whether you are sat poolside, like me, at a swimming lesson or in sunnier climes with a cocktail in hand and a palm tree for shade!

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The poolside socks are knit from the top down and in the round. The cuff starts with a long tail cast-on (or your preferred stretchy method) and a simple 1×1 rib with a contrast stripe for added interest. The heel is of a German Short Row construction and a traditional wedge toe (with matching contrast stripe) is used to complete the sock. The instructions are intended to be ‘needle type neutral’ so work whether you are using Magic loop, a small ‘sock’ circular needle or DPN’s. Markers are used to mark the beginning/end of the round and the halfway point of the stitch count. If using Magic loop this corresponds to the start of needle 1 and start of needle 2. For DPN’s, the start of needle 1 and start of needle 3. If you prefer knitting socks on a small ‘sock’ circular needle, then simply place the markers as instructed.

Sizing and Schematic

A. Leg length from top of cuff to bottom of heel

B. Foot circumference

Sizing in Inches

	A	B
Small	8	7
Medium	8.5	8
Large	9.5	9

Sizing in Centimetres

	A	B
Small	20.5	17.5
Medium	21.5	20
Large	24	22.5

Approximately 1” (2.5cm) of negative ease is recommended. Therefore, pick a size around 1” (2.5cm) smaller than the actual foot circumference. Size labels provide a rough guide only, choose a size based on the actual foot circumference and intended amount of negative ease.

Required Meterage

Main colour (MC): 300 (335, 395) m / 328 (367, 432) yds.

This equates to 1 skein of light fingering or sock weight yarn with approximately 425m (465yds) per 100g, for all sizes.

Contrast colour (CC): one 20g contrast mini skein for all sizes.

*Required meterage (yardage) is based on the specified gauge and recommended yarn, plus extra for swatching and assuming a large shoe size of UK 10.5 (EUR 45, US 12).

Gauge

32 stitches and 40 rows = 4x4in (10x10cm) in the cable pattern using the larger needle size, once blocked.

Needles

2.5mm (US size 1.5) and 2.75mm (US size 2) DPN’s OR long circular needle if using the magic loop method. A short circular e.g. 9” (23cm) needle may be used for the leg, heel turn and foot of the sock but DPN’s or Magic loop will be required for the toe.

Two needle sizes are used throughout. The all over cable pattern on the leg section creates a tighter fabric than the rest of the sock. Therefore, a larger needle size is recommended for this section only and the smaller needle is used for the cuff, heel, foot and toe.