Jozi

Jozi Socks by Clare Devine

Design Inspiration and Overview

Jozi Socks are a top-down knitted sock design inspired by Johannesburg, South Africa. The designer, Clare Devine, created these socks to capture the visual essence of the city's iconic skyline—combining strong architectural lines with richly textured detail. The design features striking geometric elements that reflect the mixture of bold structure and intricate ornamentation found in the urban landscape that holds special meaning for the designer.

What Is Being Made

These are knitted socks available in six sizes, ranging from baby through adult large. The socks are constructed from the top down, featuring a traditional heel flap with a rounded heel turn. The design incorporates decorative patterning throughout, making them a statement piece rather than a basic utilitarian sock.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Top-down construction: Socks are knit from the cuff downward toward the toe
• Knitting in the round: Circular needles or double-pointed needles are used to create seamless tubular fabric
• Heel flap and rounded heel turn: Traditional sock heel shaping technique that creates a reinforced heel pocket and smooth heel curve
• Picking up stitches: Required for transitioning from the heel flap to the foot section
• Slipped stitch panels: Decorative columns created by slipping stitches to form texture and visual interest
• Patterned toe: The toe section features stitch patterning rather than plain stockinette, finishing the design with visual detail

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Twisted rib: Columns of twisted ribbing frame the slipped stitch panels, creating vertical lines that echo the architectural theme
• Slipped stitch panels: These create textured columns that add depth and visual complexity to the sock leg
• Knit (k): Basic knit stitch forming the foundation of the fabric
• Purl (p): Used in ribbed sections and texture work
• Knit through the back loop (ktbl): Creates twisted stitches for the twisted rib detail
• Basic decreases (ssk and k2tog): Slip, slip, knit and knit two together decreases are used for shaping the heel turn and toe

Materials and Specifications

Needles: 2.5mm/US 1.5 circular needles or double-pointed needles suitable for working in the round. The small needle size is appropriate for the fingering weight yarn and creates the dense, elastic fabric needed for socks.

Yarn: Hartlam Calvinia, a 4-ply/fingering weight yarn with 80% fiber content. Fingering weight yarn is the standard choice for sock knitting, providing the right balance of durability, elasticity, and drape for garments that must withstand regular wear and washing.

Skill Level

Rated as Advanced Beginner difficulty. Knitters should be comfortable with knitting in the round, basic knit and purl stitches, fundamental decreases (ssk and k2tog), and picking up stitches. The combination of these techniques and the decorative patterning elements make this an ideal project for knitters looking to expand beyond basic sock construction.