Half Hearted

Half Hearted Socks by Corrine Walcher

What is Being Made

Half Hearted is a downloadable knitting pattern for socks featuring a distinctive stacked heart cable design running down the front of each sock. The pattern includes ribbing around the leg and cuff area to create a snug, stay-up fit that keeps socks securely in place during wear. Available in three sizes—Small (7" around unstretched), Medium (8" around unstretched), and Large (9" around unstretched)—these socks are designed to fit a range of foot sizes.

Difficulty Level and Knitter Suitability

Classified as an intermediate difficulty pattern, Half Hearted strikes a balance between challenge and accessibility. The design is intricate enough to engage accomplished knitters seeking a visually striking project, while remaining suitable for adventurous beginners or knitters new to cable techniques. The stacked heart cable serves as an excellent introduction to cable knitting without overwhelming less experienced crafters.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern incorporates several essential knitting techniques:

• Cable knitting: The signature stacked heart cable running down the front requires crossing stitches over one another to create the dimensional heart motif
• Knitting in the round: Socks are constructed circularly to create seamless tubes, a fundamental sock-knitting technique
• Ribbing: Elastic rib stitches around the leg provide stretch and recovery for a secure fit
• Decreasing: Shaping techniques including SSK (slip, slip, knit) and P2tog (purl two together) are used to achieve proper sock construction
• Stitch slipping: Slip stitches are used both for cable work and shaping throughout the pattern

Stitches and Abbreviations

The Half Hearted pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations and stitch techniques:

• K: Knit stitch, the fundamental forward stitch
• P: Purl stitch, the reverse of the knit
• Sl: Slip as if to purl with yarn in back, used for cable preparation and shaping
• PM: Place marker to denote pattern sections or pattern repeats
• SM: Slip marker to advance past a placed marker while maintaining pattern flow
• P2tog: Purl two together, a left-leaning decrease
• SSK: Slip as if to knit, slip next stitch as if to knit, then knit these two stitches together—a right-leaning decrease
• **: Repeat stitches between asterisks to end of round or as directed in pattern instructions

Yarn and Materials

The sample socks featured in the Half Hearted pattern were knit using End of the Row Yarns Sock yarn in the colorway Ghost. This yarn is composed of 80% Superwash Merino wool and 20% Nylon, a blend chosen for durability, softness, and easy care. The yarn is supplied at 400 yards per 4 ounces, providing ample yardage for a complete pair of socks in any of the three available sizes.

The pattern recommends using either a set of 5 double-pointed needles or two circular needles in US size 2 (2.75 mm), though knitters should select the needle size that allows them to achieve the correct gauge. Since each knitter's tension varies, obtaining proper gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished sock dimensions.

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 8 stitches per inch when working stockinette stitch in the round. Achieving this gauge ensures that the finished socks will fit properly and that the stacked heart cable design will display as intended. Knitters should always swatch and measure gauge before beginning the project.

Pattern Information

Half Hearted is an original design by Corrine Walcher, copyrighted in 2018. This downloadable PDF pattern is intended for personal use only, and sale or commercial use of the pattern is not permitted.