Medivh

Medivh Knitted Socks by Maire

What is Being Made

Medivh is a cuff-down knitted sock pattern designed for men's average-width feet. The pattern features a cabled construction with extensive knit and purl ribwork throughout, creating a stretchy garment that accommodates a range of foot sizes. Despite being sized for men, the pattern's flexibility allows it to fit both smaller women's sizes and larger men's sizes, making it a versatile unisex option.

Knitting Techniques

This intermediate-level pattern employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its structure and aesthetic:

• Magic-Loop Method: The pattern uses the Magic-Loop technique for working small circumferences in the round, allowing knitters to work the entire sock on a single circular needle rather than using traditional double-pointed needles.
• Cuff-Down Construction: The sock is worked from the cuff downward toward the toe, beginning with a cast-on at the cuff edge and progressing through the leg and foot sections.
• Cable Work: The pattern incorporates mini cable twists as decorative and structural elements, adding visual interest and contributing to the sock's overall stretchiness.
• Chart Following: Knitters work from charts for the main body of the sock, requiring the ability to read and interpret written stitch patterns and visual charting.

Stitches Used

The Medivh pattern utilizes fundamental and decorative stitches to create its distinctive appearance:

• Stockinette Stitch: Used as the base gauge measurement (8 stitches per inch) and forms the foundation of the sock fabric.
• Knit and Purl Ribbing (K2, P2): The cuff begins with a knit 2, purl 2 ribbing pattern worked for approximately 1 inch, creating an elastic edge that holds the sock securely on the foot.
• Right Twist Mini Cable: Executed by knitting the second stitch while leaving the first stitch on the needle, then knitting the first stitch and slipping both stitches off together. This creates a rightward-leaning cable twist.
• Left Twist Mini Cable: Worked by knitting the second stitch through the back loop while leaving the first stitch on the needle, then knitting the first stitch through the front loop before slipping both stitches off. This creates a leftward-leaning cable twist.

Materials and Specifications

The Medivh pattern requires specific materials to achieve the intended fit and gauge:

• Yarn: Fingering weight sock yarn in a quantity of approximately 350 to 450 yards. The pattern's extensive knit and purl ribwork combined with cable elements creates significant elasticity, allowing the finished sock to stretch and accommodate varying foot widths and sizes.
• Needles: Size 1 (2.5 mm) Addi Turbo circular needles are specified for working the pattern using the Magic-Loop method.
• Gauge: 8 stitches per inch measured in stockinette stitch on the smaller needles, establishing the foundation for proper sock sizing and fit.

Pattern Structure and Construction Details

The Medivh sock follows a logical progression from cuff to foot. Knitters begin by casting on 76 stitches and arranging them equally on the needle for working in the round without twisting, using a stitch marker to denote the beginning of each round. The cuff section starts with a K2, P2 ribbed pattern worked for approximately 1 inch, followed by 5 to 6 inches of charted pattern work until the cuff reaches a total length of 6 to 7 inches. This cuff length is customizable based on individual preference. The extensive knit and purl ribwork throughout the pattern, combined with the mini cable twists, creates a fabric with excellent stretch and recovery, explaining why the pattern successfully fits both a size 9½ women's foot and a size 11 men's foot.