Mongolfiera socks

Mongolfiera Socks by Corrina Ferguson

What is Being Made

Mongolfiera socks are a pair of top-down knitted socks designed by Corrina Ferguson for PicnicKnits. This is a mystery sock pattern, with the first installment providing instructions for the leg and cuff sections. The pattern is available in two sizes: small/medium (60 stitches) and medium/large (72 stitches), making these socks suitable for a range of foot sizes.

Knitting Techniques Used

These socks are worked from the top down, a popular method that allows knitters to try on the socks as they progress and easily adjust the foot length. The pattern accommodates multiple needle methods, with specific instructions written for the magic loop technique, though knitters can adapt the pattern to their preferred sock knitting method such as double-pointed needles or two circular needles.

The leg features a lace pattern created through strategic yarn overs and decreases. The pattern uses yarn overs (yo) paired with slip, slip, knit (ssk) and knit two together (k2tog) decreases to create an openwork design. Purl stitches are incorporated to add texture and definition to the lace motif.

Stitches and Pattern Details

The leg pattern is a 12-stitch repeat worked over 38 rows, with both written and charted instructions provided. For the s/m size, knitters work 5 repeats of the 12-stitch pattern (totaling 60 stitches), while the m/l size requires 6 repeats (totaling 72 stitches). The stitch pattern combines:

• Knit stitches (k)
• Purl stitches (p)
• Yarn overs (yo) for lace
• Slip, slip, knit decreases (ssk)
• Knit two together decreases (k2tog)

The pattern rows progress with increasing complexity, starting with Row 1 and advancing through Row 5 and beyond, creating a graduated lace design that moves up the leg. All even-numbered rows are worked as knit stitches across, allowing the lace pattern on odd rows to stand out.

Materials and Tools

The Mongolfiera socks are designed to be knitted with two skeins of Shibuiknits Sock yarn in color 1900 – Finch. This yarn is a 3-ply or 4-ply weight sock yarn, with each skein containing 191 yards per 50 grams, providing approximately 382 yards total. Two skeins are sufficient for both the s/m and m/l sizes, unless the knitter has a particularly long foot or chooses to lengthen the leg section.

Knitting requires US Size 1.5 (2.5 mm) needles, appropriate for working with sock-weight yarn at a gauge suitable for durable, well-fitting socks. A tapestry needle is needed for weaving in yarn ends and finishing.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with some experience. The lace pattern requires familiarity with yarn overs and decreases, as well as the ability to read either written or charted instructions. The top-down construction and mystery format add engagement for knitters seeking a moderately challenging project.