Cat's Paw Toe Up

Cat's Paw Toe Up Socks by Karen Burnett

What Is Being Made

Cat's Paw Toe Up is a downloadable knitting pattern for women's socks designed by Karen Burnett. These socks feature a traditional cat's paw lace stitch motif worked throughout the leg. The pattern is specifically engineered to be worked from the toe up using two circular needles, allowing knitters to maximize yardage from a single skein of yarn and use every bit of their gorgeous yarn.

Design and Construction Method

The socks are constructed using the toe-up method on two circular needles, which offers flexibility in fit and eliminates the need for grafting at the toe. This construction technique is ideal for knitters who prefer to work from the bottom of the sock upward and want to ensure they can use the entire skein without running short on yardage. The two-circular-needle approach allows for seamless knitting in the round while maintaining even tension throughout the leg.

Sizing Options

The pattern is available in three sizes: Women's Small, Medium, and Large. Sizing is accomplished through gauge adjustment by changing needle size rather than stitch count, making this a versatile pattern for multiple foot sizes. The finished leg circumference measurements are:

• Size Small: 19cm / 7½ inches at top of leg after blocking
• Size Medium: 22cm / 8½ inches at top of leg after blocking
• Size Large: 24cm / 9½ inches at top of leg after blocking

Stitches and Techniques Used

The pattern incorporates the cat's paw lace stitch, a traditional lace motif that creates an elegant, openwork design. Key knitting techniques and stitches include:

• M1L (Make One Left): A left-leaning increase worked by slipping the needle under the loop between stitches from front to back and knitting through the back loop
• SKP (Slip, Knit, Pass): A left-leaning decrease created by slipping one stitch purlwise, knitting one stitch, and passing the slipped stitch over the knit stitch
• Two-needle circular knitting for seamless construction
• Lace stitch pattern work requiring attention to yarn overs and decreases

Materials and Yarn Requirements

The Cat's Paw Toe Up pattern is designed to work with Ancient Arts Fibre Crafts 100% Superwash Blue Faced Leicester Wool. One skein of this yarn contains 400 meters (437 yards) and weighs 100 grams (3.5 ounces). The sample shown in the pattern is worked in the Tortoiseshell colorway. Blue Faced Leicester wool is prized for its softness, luster, and durability, making it an excellent choice for sock knitting.

Needles by Size

The pattern requires two sets of circular needles, with specific sizes determined by which garment size you are knitting:

• Size Small: Two sets of 2.5mm/US1.5 circular needles, plus one size smaller (2.25mm/US1) for achieving proper gauge
• Size Medium: Two sets of 2.75mm/US2 circular needles sized to achieve correct gauge
• Size Large: Needle sizes adjusted to achieve proper gauge for the larger circumference

Pattern Summary

Cat's Paw Toe Up is an ideal pattern for knitters seeking to create elegant, lace-detailed socks with minimal waste. The toe-up construction combined with gauge-based sizing makes this pattern accessible to knitters of varying experience levels while the traditional cat's paw lace stitch adds visual interest and sophistication. The use of superwash wool ensures these socks are both beautiful and practical for regular wear and easy care.