Meander River

Meander River Socks by Corrine Walcher

What is Being Made

Meander River is a knitted sock pattern featuring two separate, mirrored cables that run down the front and back of the socks. The design is inspired by Meander River, a location in Northern Alberta. This downloadable PDF pattern is available in three finished sizes: Small (7" around unstretched), Medium (8" around unstretched), and Large (9" around unstretched).

Knitting Techniques Used

This intermediate-level sock pattern employs several fundamental knitting techniques to create its distinctive cable design. The primary construction method is knitting in the round, which creates seamless socks with a tubular structure. Cable work is central to the pattern, with mirrored cables positioned symmetrically on the front and back of each sock. The pattern also incorporates decreasing techniques such as SSK (slip, slip, knit) and P2tog (purl two together) to shape the sock. Slipped stitches are used throughout for various shaping and cable purposes.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Meander River pattern uses the following stitches and abbreviations:

• Knit (K) – the fundamental knit stitch
• Purl (P) – the reverse of the knit stitch
• Stockinette stitch – the base fabric created by alternating knit and purl rows, providing a smooth background for the cables
• Cable stitches – created using cable needles to cross stitches over one another, forming the mirrored cable pattern down the sock legs
• Slip stitch (Sl) – slipped as if to purl with yarn in back on right side rows, and with yarn in front on wrong side rows
• SSK (Slip, Slip, Knit) – a left-leaning decrease used for shaping
• P2tog (Purl Two Together) – a purl decrease
• 2/1 LPC (Two over One Left Purl Cross) – a cable cross that creates the distinctive cable pattern

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The pattern recommends Neighborhood Fiber Co. Studio Sock yarn, which is 100% Superwash Merino. The yardage requirement is 400 yards per 4 ounces. The sample socks shown in the pattern were knit in the colorway Federal Hill. The pattern accommodates both 3-ply and 4-ply yarn weights, allowing knitters flexibility in yarn selection while maintaining appropriate gauge.

Needles and Gauge

Meander River socks are worked on US size 2 (2.75 mm) needles. Knitters may choose between a set of 5 double-pointed needles or two circular needles for working in the round. The required gauge is 8 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch, knit in the round. As the pattern notes, each knitter achieves gauge differently, so adjusting needle size to obtain the correct gauge is essential for proper sock fit.

Pattern Details

This intermediate-level pattern is designed for knitters with experience in cable work and sock construction. The mirrored cable design creates visual interest while the stockinette background keeps the pattern accessible to intermediate crafters. The pattern is a downloadable PDF format, making it convenient for digital access and printing.