Boiled sweets

Boiled Sweets Socks by Fiona Hamilton-MacLaren

What is Being Made

Boiled Sweets is a top-down knitted sock pattern featuring a distinctive cabled boiled sweet motif. This downloadable knitting pattern is designed by independent designer Fiona Hamilton-MacLaren and uses a traditional heel flap construction method. The socks are worked from the cuff downward, allowing knitters to customize the length and fit as they progress.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern incorporates several intermediate to advanced knitting techniques that create visual interest and texture. The primary technique is cable knitting, which forms the signature boiled sweet pattern throughout the sock. Knitters will also work in the round using either double-pointed needles or circular needles, a fundamental technique for sock construction. The pattern includes decreasing stitches to shape the sock, grafting stitches (also known as Kitchener stitch) to close the toe seamlessly, and standard finishing techniques such as weaving in ends. The heel flap construction provides durability and a comfortable fit in the heel area, a classic approach in sock design.

Stitches and Abbreviations

The pattern uses essential knitting stitches including:

• Knit (k) and purl (p) stitches for creating the base fabric in stocking stitch
• Cable stitches worked with a cable needle (CN) to create the boiled sweet design
• Decreasing stitches using k2tog (knit two stitches together) and ssk (slip, slip, knit) for shaping
• Slip stitches (sl) worked purlwise for a neat appearance
• Grafting to join the toe stitches invisibly

Stitch markers (pm, sm) are used to track pattern repeats and round beginnings throughout the construction.

Materials and Gauge

The Boiled Sweets pattern requires 100g of 4 ply sock yarn with a yardage of approximately 400 meters per 100 grams. The sample shown is knitted in A Little Bit Sheepish sock yarn in the Berries colorway, which provides a beautiful base for showcasing the cable pattern. Knitters will need 2.5mm needles, available in either double-pointed needle (dpn) or circular needle options depending on preferred knitting method. Additional notions include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats.

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 32 stitches and 44 rows over 10 centimeters in stocking stitch. Maintaining this gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished sock size and ensuring the cable pattern displays properly.

Sizing and Skills Required

This pattern accommodates multiple sizes, with stitch counts provided for small, medium, and large options, allowing knitters to customize the fit. The pattern is suitable for knitters with intermediate skills who are comfortable with cable work and sock construction. Required skills include casting on, knitting and purling, working in the round, executing cable stitches, decreasing stitches, grafting stitches together, and weaving in ends for a finished appearance.