Donau Socken in Regia 4 Ply Tweed - 6410DE - Downloadable PDF

Donau Socken in Regia 4 Ply Tweed – Pattern Summary

The Donau Socken is a knitted sock pattern designed by the REGIA Designteam and published by Schachenmayr / MEZ GmbH, first released in May 2008. This is a free downloadable PDF pattern written in German, aimed at intermediate-level knitters who are comfortable working in the round and reading charted stitch patterns. The design produces a pair of classically styled socks with elegant textural detail, sized for a shoe size 38/39.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a pair of knitted socks worked from the cuff down using a set of double-pointed needles. The socks feature a richly textured body panel worked from a charted stitch pattern known as Ährenmuster (an ear-of-wheat or spike stitch pattern), combined with ribbing sections for structure and fit. The finished socks are designed to be both functional and decorative, showcasing the natural heathered texture of the yarn throughout.

Yarn and Materials

• Yarn: REGIA Tweed 4-fädig (REGIA Tweed 4 Ply), used in shade 00002 (natur tweed)
• Quantity: 2 x 50 g balls, with each ball providing approximately 200 metres per 50 g
• Needles: A set of 2.5 mm double-pointed needles (Nadelspiel), typically a set of four or five needles used for working small circumferences in the round
• Dye lot note: The pattern specifically advises knitters to check the ball bands and use only balls from the same dye lot (Farbpartie), as yarn consumption can vary from person to person

Yarn Weight and Needle Size

4 Ply weight yarn (also known as fingering weight) is the standard choice for hand-knitted socks. It produces a fine, durable fabric that fits comfortably inside footwear. The 2.5 mm needle size is typical for this weight when knitting socks, creating a firm, dense fabric with good stitch definition — essential for a garment that must withstand repeated wear and washing. The REGIA Tweed 4-fädig yarn is a classic sock yarn known for its durability and its characteristic flecked, tweedy appearance created by small fibre inclusions that give depth and texture to the knitted fabric.

Techniques Used

• Working in the round on a set of double-pointed needles, with stitches divided across multiple needles (the pattern references four needles: Nadel 1 through Nadel 4)
• Cuff-down sock construction, beginning at the top of the sock and working down toward the toe
• Stitch decreases for shaping, including working stitches together (rechts zusammenstricken) and evenly distributed decreases — for example, 27 stitches decreased in a single round during the toe shaping
• Twisted stitches (verschränkt stricken), where yarn-overs from a previous round are worked through the back loop to close them and create a neat, crossed effect — a technique central to the Ährenmuster charted pattern
• Chart reading using Strickschrift B (Knitting Chart B) for the Ährenmuster section
• Stitch redistribution across needles mid-pattern: after working decreases, stitches are reorganised so that Needle 1 holds 19 stitches, Needles 2 and 3 hold 15 stitches each, and Needle 4 holds 14 stitches

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (rechts stricken) — the foundation stitch throughout
• Purl stitch (links stricken) — used in rib