Colourwork Socks in Novita Nalle and Novita Nalle Taika - Downloadable PDF

Colourwork Socks in Novita Nalle and Novita Nalle Taika by Lea Petäjä

This downloadable PDF pattern by designer Lea Petäjä for Novita guides knitters through creating a pair of beautifully detailed colourwork socks sized for shoe sizes approximately 30, 38, and 43, making it a versatile pattern suitable for children through to adults. Rated as an intermediate difficulty project, these socks are a rewarding challenge for knitters who are comfortable with basic sock construction and are ready to explore the visual impact of stranded colourwork.

Design Overview

The socks feature a classic two-colour stranded colourwork design worked in the round using double-pointed needles. The pattern pairs a neutral main colour with a bold contrast colour to create striking decorative motifs across the sock fabric. The finished socks are structured with a traditional heel flap and gusset construction, giving an excellent fit and durability in the heel area — a hallmark of well-crafted hand-knitted socks.

Yarn and Materials

• Main colour: Novita Nalle in shade 010 Off White — 100 g for sizes 30 and 38, 150 g for size 43
• Contrast colour: Novita Nalle Taika in 807 Red Clover, 887 Moor, or 811 White-water — less than 50 g across all sizes
• Needles: Novita double-pointed needles in two sizes — 2½–3 mm (UK 11–12½ / US 1½–2½) and 3–3½ mm

Novita Nalle is a DK weight yarn well suited to sock knitting, offering the stitch definition needed to make colourwork patterns crisp and clear. The use of Novita Nalle Taika as the contrast yarn introduces subtle tonal or variegated interest depending on the colourway chosen, complementing the structured main colour beautifully.

Techniques and Construction

The socks are worked entirely in the round on double-pointed needles, distributed across four needles in the traditional manner. The pattern uses a heel flap and gusset method, one of the most time-tested approaches to sock construction, prized for its durability and comfortable fit around the heel and instep.

• Heel flap: Worked back and forth in rows, with stitches decreased at the sides while keeping a set number of stitches in the middle — 8, 10, or 10 stitches depending on size
• Heel turn: The remaining heel flap stitches are divided onto two needles (4, 5, or 5 stitches each) to complete the turn
• Gusset pick-up: Using the main colour, stitches are picked up along both edges of the heel flap — 12, 14, or 16 stitches per side plus 1 stitch from between the needles — and worked through the back loop to close gaps and prevent holes at the gusset joins
• Gusset shaping: Decreases are worked to return to the working stitch count of 58, 68, or 74 stitches across the four needles

Stitches and Skills Used

• Stranded colourwork — carrying two colours across the round to form patterned motifs
• Knitting in the round on double-pointed needles
• Heel flap construction worked flat in rows
• Picking up stitches along a selvedge edge
• Knitting through the back loop (tbl) to tighten gusset joins
• Gusset decreases for shaping the foot

Pattern Format and Availability