Ponies Are A Girl's Best Friends

Ponies Are A Girl's Best Friends Knitted Socks

What Is Being Made

This downloadable knitting pattern from independent designer Maike Schroeder creates a pair of stranded socks featuring pony motifs. The design is offered in three sizes: Size S (EUR 24/US 7), Size M (EUR 28/US 10), and Size L (EUR 32/US 13). The socks are mirrored with ponies running clockwise on the left sock and counterclockwise on the right sock, with the pony design centered on both the front and back of each sock.

Knitting Techniques Used

These socks are constructed using the cuff-down method, a popular technique for sock knitting that begins at the top of the sock and works downward toward the toe. The pattern incorporates a heel flap with a small checkerboard gusset, providing structure and shaping at the heel area. The primary technique featured throughout is stranded knitting (also called Fair Isle knitting), which creates the pony pattern by carrying multiple yarn colors across the rounds and switching between them to form the design.

The pattern is designed with flexibility in mind, working equally well with either double-pointed needles or the Magic Loop method, allowing knitters to choose their preferred circular knitting technique. The pattern uses "rounds" and "rows" notation that accommodates both approaches.

Stitches and Stitch Details

While the pattern centers on stranded colorwork stitches to create the pony motif, the construction also employs standard sock knitting stitches including ribbing for the cuff, stockinette stitch for the main body, and specialized heel and gusset shaping stitches. The checkerboard gusset adds textural interest and helps with fit at the heel area.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

This pattern calls for 4-ply yarn weight, which is a lightweight yarn suitable for creating fitted, detailed socks with good stitch definition for the stranded colorwork design. Knitters will need either a set of double-pointed needles or circular needles (for the Magic Loop technique) in an appropriate size for 4-ply yarn. Two yarn colors are required to execute the stranded knitting pattern.

Sock Measurements

• Size S (EUR 24/US 7): Approximately 16 cm (6.3 inches) length with a circumference of approximately 7.3 cm (2.8 inches)
• Size M (EUR 28/US 10): Approximately 18 cm (7 inches) length with a circumference of approximately 8.5 cm (3.3 inches)
• Size L (EUR 32/US 13): Measurements follow the same proportional scaling as the smaller sizes

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate difficulty, this pattern is suitable for knitters with some experience. The stranded knitting technique requires familiarity with managing multiple yarn colors simultaneously, and the cuff-down sock construction with heel flap and gusset involves several intermediate-level shaping techniques. The designer recommends reviewing the entire pattern before casting on to ensure understanding of all techniques involved.

Pattern Format and Designer Information

This is a downloadable PDF pattern created by designer Maike Schroeder under the DeeMyCa Designs label in 2014. The pattern is provided for personal use only.