Bob White

Bob White Socks by Corrine Walcher

What is Being Made

Bob White is a pair of knitted socks designed to showcase the beauty of self-striping yarn. This intermediate-level pattern creates fitted socks in three sizes: Small (7" around), Medium (8" around), and Large (9" around), measured unstretched. The design is specifically engineered to complement color-changing yarns while remaining equally attractive when knit in solid or tonal yarn options.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Kirby Wirby Hand Dyed Yarns Old Faithful, a blend of 75% wool and 25% nylon with yardage of 450 yards per 100 grams. The sample shown was knit in the colorway Hells to the Yes. This yarn composition provides durability and elasticity ideal for sock wear. Knitters will also need approximately 8 inches of contrasting yarn for heel placement marking. The pattern accommodates both 3-ply and 4-ply yarn weights, offering flexibility in yarn selection while maintaining the intended gauge and fit.

Needles and Gauge

This pattern is worked in the round using either a set of five double-pointed needles or two circular needles in size 2 US (2.75 mm), or whatever size is needed to obtain the correct gauge. The target gauge is 8 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch, worked in the round. Achieving proper gauge is essential for the finished sock dimensions to match the intended sizes.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

Bob White employs several fundamental knitting techniques suited to intermediate-level crafters. The primary stitches used include:

• Knit (K) – the basic knit stitch forming stockinette fabric
• Purl (P) – used in the cable pattern structure
• Slip stitches (Sl) – slipped as if to purl with yarn in back, typically used for edge definition or cable work
• Markers (PM/SM) – placed and slipped to track pattern repeats and construction sections

The pattern features a simple cable design that is intentionally uncomplicated, allowing the self-striping yarn's color changes to remain the visual focus without competing with complex stitch patterns. This thoughtful design choice ensures that the striping remains prominent and attractive throughout the finished socks.

Construction Method: Afterthought Heel

A defining feature of Bob White is its use of a planned afterthought heel technique. Rather than turning the heel during initial construction, this method involves knitting the leg and foot as one continuous piece, then returning later to pick up stitches and work the heel separately. This approach maximizes the visual impact of self-striping yarn by allowing the stripes to flow continuously down the leg and across the foot without interruption. The contrasting yarn serves as a placeholder, marking where the heel stitches will be picked up and worked after the main sock body is complete.

Pattern copyright 2021 by Corrine Walcher. Commercial use, duplication, or resale of this pattern is not permitted.