Medallion Cables Socks

Medallion Cables Socks by Terry Liann Morris

What Is Being Made

Medallion Cables Socks are a women's medium-sized knitted sock featuring prominent decorative cable patterns. The design showcases large medallion cables that emerge from 2 x 2 ribbing at the cuff, travel down the leg of the sock, and then fade away as the design transitions toward the foot. This creates a visually striking gradient effect from cuff to toe.

Design Features and Construction

The sock begins with 80 stitches cast on in 2 x 2 ribbing, which provides structure and elasticity at the leg opening. The medallion cables are worked in stockinette stitch as the primary background, creating contrast with the raised cable motifs. The stitch count is strategically reduced to 72 stitches for the foot section to maintain proper fit and proportion. The designer notes that the higher stitch count compared to plain stockinette socks (typically 60 stitches) is necessary because cable patterns pull and compress the knitted fabric, requiring additional stitches to achieve the correct finished dimensions.

Two heel options are provided to suit different knitting preferences and aesthetic goals. Knitters may choose a traditional slipped stitch heel pattern for a classic construction, or alternatively continue the ribs and cables down through the heel for a coordinated, all-over patterned look.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This intermediate-level project employs several fundamental knitting techniques:

• Ribbing: 2 x 2 ribbing (alternating 2 knit stitches with 2 purl stitches) creates the elastic cuff and leg opening
• Stockinette Stitch: Knit on right-side rows and purl on wrong-side rows, forming the smooth background fabric that showcases the cable patterns
• Cable Stitches: Large medallion cables created by crossing groups of stitches over one another using a cable needle, producing the three-dimensional twisted rope effect
• Slipped Stitch Heel (optional): A traditional heel construction that creates a reinforced, durable heel through strategic stitch slipping

The pattern requires the use of a cable needle to temporarily hold stitches while crossing them over other stitches to form the cable twists. The designer notes a practical tip: a small 1½-inch piece of a broken wooden double-pointed needle works effectively as a cable needle, making use of needles that might otherwise be discarded.

Materials and Gauge

Medallion Cables Socks require 400 yards of fingering or sock weight yarn, which is the standard yardage for a pair of women's socks. The sample shown was knit in hand-dyed yarn, though any fingering-weight yarn in the crafter's preferred color will work.

Two sets of needles are specified: US Size 1 (2.25mm) double-point needles for the main fabric, and US Size 0 (2mm) double-point needles (one size smaller) for the cuff ribbing. Using smaller needles for the ribbed cuff prevents the 80 stitches from becoming too loose and ensures the sock leg fits properly around the wearer's leg.

The gauge is 8 stitches over 1 inch in stockinette stitch. Achieving correct gauge is essential for this pattern, as the cable design's fit depends on proper stitch and row gauge. Knitters should knit a gauge swatch before beginning the project and adjust needle size if necessary to match the specified gauge.

Skill Level

Rated as intermediate difficulty, this pattern is suitable for knitters with experience in basic sock construction and cable knitting. Familiarity with double-pointed needles, working in the round, and cable techniques is expected. The pattern provides clear guidance on stitch counts and construction choices, making it accessible to knitters ready to move beyond beginner projects.