Dundalk

Dundalk Socks by Corrine Walcher

What is Being Made

Dundalk is a downloadable knitting pattern for a pair of socks designed by independent designer Corrine Walcher. This intermediate-level sock pattern is available in three finished sizes: Small (7" around unstretched), Medium (8" around unstretched), and Large (9" around unstretched). The pattern is named after the designer's friend Eric's hometown of Dundalk, Maryland, and celebrates his love of incorporating intricate cable work into his knitting projects.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

Dundalk features cable knitting as its primary design element, with multiple cable techniques worked throughout the sock construction. The pattern employs both left-leaning and right-leaning cables to create the intricate texture that defines this design.

The specific cable stitches used include:

• 2/2 LC (Left Cable): Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, knit 2 stitches, then knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle
• 2/2 RC (Right Cable): Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, knit 2 stitches, then knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle
• 2/1 LPC (Left Purl Cable): Specialized cable variation combining knit and purl stitches for dimensional texture

Additional fundamental stitches used throughout the pattern include knit, purl, slip stitches, purl two together (P2tog) decreases, and SSK (slip, slip, knit) decreases. The socks are knit in the round using stockinette stitch as the base fabric, which provides a smooth background that allows the cable patterns to stand out prominently.

Yarn and Needles

The pattern calls for Neighborhood Fiber Co. Studio Sock yarn, which is 100% Superwash Merino wool. The sample shown was knit in the colorway Patterson Park. A total of 400 yards per 4 ounces is required to complete the socks.

Dundalk accommodates multiple needle styles for knitter preference: a set of 5 double-pointed needles or two circular needles in size 1 US (2.5mm), or the size needed to obtain the correct gauge. The pattern specifies a gauge of 8 stitches per inch when working stockinette stitch knit in the round.

The yarn weight options of 3-ply and 4-ply construction provide excellent stitch definition for the cable work while maintaining the traditional sock yarn characteristics of durability and elasticity from the Superwash Merino fiber content.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters who have mastered basic sock construction and are ready to incorporate cable techniques into their projects. Familiarity with working in the round, managing multiple needles, and executing cable stitches is recommended for success with this design.