Falling Up

Falling Up Socks by Stariel Knits

What Is Being Made

Falling Up is a downloadable knitting pattern for a pair of socks designed by Stariel Knits. This intermediate-level sock pattern features a lace design on the leg and is constructed using a toe-up method, making it an ideal project for knitters with some experience who are ready to explore stitch techniques beyond basic stockinette.

Knitting Techniques

This sock pattern employs several key knitting techniques that give it visual interest and structure. The pattern uses a toe-up construction method, beginning with Judy's Magic Cast On, a specialized cast-on technique that allows knitters to begin knitting in the round from the toe without a seam. The sock features lace patterning on the leg, which is created through strategic stitch manipulation. The lace pattern involves what the designer calls "borrowing" of stitches, a technique that requires careful attention to stitch placement and round tracking. Knitters have the option to use stitch markers to help keep track of rounds, though the designer notes that marker placement becomes more challenging due to the stitch borrowing in the lace pattern. Alternatively, placing the beginning of round at a needle join can serve as a helpful reference point for tracking progress.

Stitches Used

The Falling Up pattern incorporates several fundamental and decorative stitches. Stockinette stitch forms the base fabric of the sock, providing a smooth, classic appearance. The pattern includes knit front and back (kfb) increases, which are used during the toe increases to shape the foot of the sock. The lace pattern on the leg utilizes stitch borrowing techniques, which involve moving stitches across needles to create the characteristic openwork design of lace knitting. The pattern distinguishes between instep stitches and sole stitches, identifying these as structural features of the sock rather than stitch types, allowing knitters flexibility in their needle choice.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Falling Up pattern is designed to be worked in fingering weight yarn, specifically Three Fates Knitting Cauldron Sock in the colorway Concord. One skein provides 450 yards, which is sufficient yardage for a complete pair of socks. The pattern calls for US 1 (2.25 mm) needles, which are appropriately sized for fingering weight yarn and create a fabric with a gauge of 9 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch. Additional materials needed include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and optional stitch markers to aid in tracking rounds during construction.

Pattern Construction Overview

The sock begins with a cast-on of 18 stitches using Judy's Magic Cast On, which is then knitted around once with careful attention to knitting twisted stitches through the back loop to ensure proper stitch orientation. Toe increases follow a specific sequence: Round 1 involves knit front and back increases at the beginning and end of both the top and bottom of the toe, with plain knitting between increases. Round 2 is worked as plain knitting around. This two-round sequence is repeated five times, resulting in 38 stitches total for the foot of the sock. This systematic increase method creates an evenly shaped toe that transitions smoothly into the foot and leg of the sock.