Eple

Eple Socks by Andrea Rangel

What is Being Made

Eple is an advanced-level sock pattern designed by independent designer Andrea Rangel. These are top-down knitted socks featuring decorative colorwork elements inspired by apple motifs (eple means apple in Norwegian). The pattern includes both plain stockinette sections and intricate stranded colorwork, making it an ideal project for experienced knitters looking to develop their color work skills.

Knitting Techniques Used

This sock pattern employs several advanced knitting techniques to create its finished design:

• Top-down construction: Socks are worked from the cuff down toward the toe, allowing for easy fitting adjustments and the ability to try on the sock during the knitting process.
• Stranded colorwork: The primary decorative element uses stranded color work (also called Fair Isle), where two colors are carried across the row to create the pattern. This technique requires careful tension management to keep stitches even and prevent the fabric from becoming too tight.
• Duplicate stitch embellishment: The stem and leaf details are worked in duplicate stitch after the main sock is completed, adding dimensional detail without the complexity of carrying multiple colors throughout those sections.
• Float catching: The pattern includes guidance on managing long floats (strands of unused yarn carried across the back of the work), which can measure up to 15 stitches on the largest size. Strategic float catching prevents loose loops while maintaining the integrity of the colorwork.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Eple socks utilize fundamental sock construction stitches combined with colorwork techniques:

• Stockinette stitch: Forms the base fabric for plain sections of the sock, creating a smooth, classic appearance.
• Stranded colorwork stitches: Standard knit stitches worked with two colors held simultaneously to create the apple-themed pattern across the leg.
• Duplicate stitch: Used to embroider the stem and leaf elements after the main knitting is complete, adding fine detail without increasing complexity during the main construction.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Eple pattern is designed for 4-ply yarn weight, which is ideal for creating socks with good stitch definition and durability. The pattern recommends using appropriate needles for the yarn weight selected. Importantly, the pattern notes that many knitters work more tightly in stranded colorwork than in plain stockinette stitch, so a larger needle size is recommended for the colorwork sections to maintain consistent fabric drape and ensure the socks fit comfortably around the calf and over the foot. Swatching in both plain stockinette and the colorwork pattern is strongly advised to determine if needle adjustment is necessary for your individual gauge.

Pattern Considerations and Fit

Because the colorwork sections fit snugly on the leg, careful attention to tension is essential. The pattern recommends trying on the sock after completing the color work section to verify comfortable fit before proceeding to the heel and foot. When working long floats of more than five stitches, float catching is recommended, but the pattern cautions against catching floats in the same location every round, as this can cause visible lines on the right side of the finished fabric.