Dancer Ripple Panel Socks in Signature 4ply Fairy Lights in West Yorkshire Spinners - DBP0092 - Downloadable PDF

Dancer Ripple Panel Socks – Knitting Pattern by Winwick Mum in West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4ply

This downloadable PDF pattern by the beloved designer Winwick Mum guides knitters through creating a pair of beautifully textured hand-knitted socks featuring a distinctive ripple panel design. Known for her warm, approachable style and her dedication to the craft of sock knitting, Winwick Mum has created a pattern that is both decorative and deeply wearable — a perfect project for the intermediate knitter looking to move beyond plain stockinette socks and explore more intricate stitch patterning.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a pair of hand-knitted ripple panel socks, designed to be knitted in West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4ply yarn. The ripple panel refers to a structured, wave-like or chevron-style stitch panel worked into the leg and/or foot of the sock, creating visual movement and texture that elevates these socks from everyday basics into something truly special. Socks knitted at 4ply weight are lightweight, close-fitting, and ideal for wearing inside shoes or boots, making them as practical as they are beautiful.

The pattern is presented as a downloadable PDF, making it immediately accessible after purchase — ideal for knitters who want to get started right away.

Colourways and Yarn

The pattern is specifically designed for the West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4ply range, showcasing a selection of festive colourways that make these socks a wonderful seasonal knit or handmade gift. The colourways featured include:

• Fairy Lights (905 / 906) — from the Sparkle 4ply sub-range, which contains 2% polyester for a subtle shimmer, giving the finished socks a gentle sparkle reminiscent of twinkling Christmas lights
• Silent Night — also from the Sparkle 4ply range, sharing that same glittering quality
• Robin (989) — a classic colourway from the standard Signature 4ply range
• Candy Cane (941) — a festive striped or tonal option
• Holly Berry (886) — a rich, seasonal shade evoking traditional winter berries

The Sparkle 4ply colourways (Fairy Lights and Silent Night) are composed of 75% wool, 23% nylon, and 2% polyester, while the standard Signature 4ply colourways (Robin, Candy Cane, Holly Berry) are composed of 75% wool and 25% nylon. Both blends are well-suited to sock knitting: the wool provides warmth and elasticity, the nylon adds durability and abrasion resistance in high-wear areas such as the heel and toe, and the polyester in the Sparkle range contributes that distinctive festive glint.

Each ball contains 400 metres / 437 yards per 100g, which is a generous yardage typical of quality 4ply sock yarn and generally sufficient for a pair of adult socks.

Needles and Tension

The pattern calls for 3.25mm needles (US size 3), which is the standard needle size recommended for 4ply sock yarn to achieve a firm, dense fabric that holds its shape and withstands the wear and tear of everyday use. Sock knitters typically work at a tighter tension than the yarn's standard recommendation to ensure the fabric does not stretch out of shape or wear through too quickly.

The stated tension is 28 stitches over 10cm / 4 inches in stocking stitch, which knitters should check carefully before beginning. Achieving the correct tension is particularly important in sock knitting, where fit is critical — even small deviations can result in socks that are too tight or too loose.

Techniques and Stitches Used

As an intermediate-level knitting pattern, Dancer Ripple Panel Socks assumes a working knowledge of basic sock construction and introduces the ripple panel as a key design feature. Techniques and stitches likely involved in this pattern include:

• Ripple or chevron stitch panel — the defining feature of the design, typically worked using a