Wild Daisy Socks

Wild Daisy Socks by Paula Drouillard

What is Being Made

Wild Daisy Socks is a downloadable knitting pattern designed by Paula Drouillard of Autumn Poppy Designs for creating a pair of colorwork socks. The pattern is available in three adult sizes—Small, Medium, and Large—to fit foot circumferences of 7 inches (17.5 cm), 8 inches (20.5 cm), and 9 inches (22.5 cm) respectively. This beginner-friendly sock pattern features decorative colorwork elements and is suitable for knitters new to sock construction.

Techniques Used

The Wild Daisy Socks pattern employs several fundamental sock-knitting techniques that knitters will develop through completing this project. The pattern utilizes the magic loop method for working the sock in the round on circular needles, a technique that allows knitters to work small circumferences without requiring multiple double-pointed needles. The pattern incorporates a traditional heel flap and gusset construction, which creates a reinforced heel area designed to withstand wear and provide a comfortable fit. The toe is finished using the Kitchener stitch, a grafting technique that creates an invisible seam for a seamless toe closure. Additionally, the pattern includes colorwork, which involves working with two colors in the same round to create the daisy design element.

Stitches Used

The Wild Daisy Socks pattern is constructed primarily using stockinette stitch, the fundamental stitch for most sock patterns. The pattern also incorporates German twisted cast-on, a cast-on method that creates a flexible and durable edge ideal for sock cuffs. Colorwork sections are worked using standard knit stitches in two colors, with the pattern referencing knit one through the back loop (k1tbl) as part of the stitch abbreviations, indicating twisted stitches may be used for texture or stitch definition.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Wild Daisy Socks pattern calls for approximately 100 grams of sock yarn, plus one 20-gram mini skein for the colorwork contrast color. The sample shown was knitted using Crux Fibres 75/25 Superwash Merino/Nylon yarn in the colorway "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" at 463 yards per 100 grams. The pattern is compatible with other fingering-weight sock yarns, such as Knit Picks Stroll Fingering, which features a 75/25 Superwash Merino/Nylon blend at 231 yards per 50 grams. The yarn weight is 4-ply fingering weight, the standard for sock knitting.

Needle requirements include US 1 (2.25 mm) circular needles measuring 40 inches (100 cm) for working the sock using the magic loop technique, or sized to obtain the correct gauge. Double-pointed needles in US 1 (2.25 mm) are needed for seaming the toe using the Kitchener stitch. For the colorwork portion of the sock, US 2 (2.75 mm) circular needles measuring 40 inches (100 cm) are used, as colorwork typically requires slightly larger needles to prevent the fabric from becoming too tight.

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 34 stitches and 48 rounds over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch when working with US 1 needles. For the colorwork sections worked on US 2 needles, the gauge is 32 stitches and 44 rounds over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for socks to fit properly.

Additional Notions and Tools

Beyond yarn and needles, the Wild Daisy Socks pattern requires several small notions and tools: stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and round beginnings, a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends and grafting the toe, and scissors for cutting yarn. These basic supplies are standard for most knitting projects.