Osaka-jo Socks

Osaka-jo Socks by Sachiko Burgin

What is Being Made

The Osaka-jo Socks are a hand-knitted sock pattern designed by Sachiko Burgin. This downloadable knitting pattern produces fitted ankle socks available in three sizes with finished ankle circumferences of 7, 8, or 9 inches and an ankle length of 4 inches. The socks feature a decorative lace pattern that creates visual interest while maintaining a comfortable, wearable design suitable for everyday use.

Knitting Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several essential sock-knitting techniques. The pattern is worked in the round using double-pointed needles, a traditional method for creating seamless, tubular garments. The construction involves working with stitch markers to track pattern repeats and maintain proper stitch counts throughout the project. The lace pattern incorporates strategic increases and decreases within the same repeat—the pattern increases by 2 stitches on odd-numbered rows and decreases by 2 stitches on the following even-numbered row, creating an elegant openwork effect while maintaining consistent stitch counts across full pattern repeats. Blocking is recommended after completion to set the gauge and ensure proper fit and drape of the finished socks.

Stitches and Stitch Details

The Osaka-jo Socks are primarily constructed using Stockinette Stitch, the foundational stitch that creates the smooth, classic fabric base for the socks. The pattern features a charted lace pattern that works over 24 stitches on even-numbered rows and 22 stitches on odd-numbered rows. This lace motif is the decorative centerpiece of the design, with the pattern repeat spanning 12 rounds. The lace increases and decreases are balanced within each repeat cycle, allowing knitters to easily continue the pattern or add additional repeats if lengthening the leg of the sock.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The recommended yarn for the Osaka-jo Socks is Retrosaria Mondim, a fingering weight (4 ply) yarn composed of 100% Portuguese wool. One ball provides 385 meters or 421 yards of yarn at 100 grams, offering ample yardage for completing all three sizes of this pattern. The project requires two sets of 2.25 mm (US 1) double-pointed needles for the ribbed cuff and initial sock construction, and 2.5 mm (US 1½) double-pointed needles for the main sock body. Additional notions include 2 stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends upon completion. The recommended gauge is 32 stitches and 44 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette Stitch using the larger needles after blocking, with adjustments to needle size encouraged to achieve proper fit and fabric characteristics.

Pattern Customization Options

Knitters wishing to create longer socks can easily extend the leg length by adding extra complete repeats of Chart A before moving to the remainder of the pattern instructions. This flexibility allows the pattern to be adapted to individual preferences while maintaining the integrity of the lace design and ensuring seamless transitions between pattern sections.