Lottie Ankle Socks in West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4 Ply - DBP0204 - Downloadable PDF

Lottie Ankle Socks in West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4 Ply – Pattern Summary

The Lottie Ankle Socks are a beautifully crafted knitted sock design created by the legendary Dame Zandra Rhodes, compiled by Christine Perry (Winwick Mum) and technically edited by Helen Birch and Jill Gray. This pattern is part of the celebrated Zandra Rhodes – Make A Statement collection, a collaboration that brings Dame Zandra's iconic sense of colour and print-inspired artistry into the world of hand knitting. The result is a wearable, expressive accessory that reflects her signature bold aesthetic in yarn form.

About the Design

The Lottie Ankle Socks are ankle-length knitted socks, making them a versatile and practical project suitable for everyday wear. Ankle socks are a popular knitting project because they require less yarn and time than full-length socks, while still offering the satisfaction of working through all the classic sock-construction techniques. This makes them an excellent choice for knitters who are building their sock-making skills or who want a quicker finish without sacrificing craftsmanship.

The design is rated as intermediate in difficulty, meaning it is best suited to knitters who are already comfortable with basic knitting techniques and are ready to explore more structured construction methods such as heel turns and toe shaping. Beginners who have completed a few simpler projects and are eager to progress will also find this a rewarding challenge.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is specifically designed for use with West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4 Ply yarn, a yarn weight ideally suited to sock knitting. The 4 ply (also known as fingering weight) yarn produces a fine, close fabric that is both durable and comfortable against the skin — essential qualities for a sock that will be worn and washed regularly. West Yorkshire Spinners' Signature 4 Ply is a well-regarded yarn in the sock-knitting community, known for its stitch definition and wide range of colourways.

The pattern showcases a stunning selection of colourways from the Zandra Rhodes range within the Signature 4 Ply line, each inspired by Dame Zandra's world-famous textile prints and vibrant colour palettes. The colourways available include:

• Zandra's Sunset
• Botanical Forest
• Bluebell Woodland
• Rainbow Bouquet
• Bloom Stripes
• Mist Awakening

These colourways are available across both the 1X DK and Signature 4 Ply ranges featured in the broader collection, giving knitters a rich palette to choose from. Each colourway reflects Dame Zandra's lifelong passion for bold, nature-inspired, and painterly colour combinations, meaning that even a simple pair of ankle socks becomes a statement piece.

Techniques and Construction

As a knitted sock pattern at the intermediate level, the Lottie Ankle Socks incorporate a range of classic sock-construction techniques that knitters will find both educational and satisfying to work through. Sock knitting is a beloved area of the craft precisely because it combines multiple skills into one compact project.

Key Techniques Used

• Working in the round: Socks are traditionally knitted in the round to create a seamless tube, avoiding the need for sewing up side seams. This can be achieved using double-pointed needles (DPNs) or a short circular needle, depending on the knitter's preference.
• Ribbing: The cuff of the sock typically features a ribbed stitch pattern, which provides stretch and helps the sock stay in place around the ankle. Ribbing alternates knit and purl stitches in a regular sequence.
• Heel construction: One of the defining techniques of sock knitting, the heel shaping requires careful attention and is what elevates this pattern to an intermediate level. Working a heel involves short rows or a heel flap and gusset method to create the three-dimensional shape needed to fit around the back of the foot.
• Toe shaping: The toe of the sock is decreased gradually to close the fabric neatly at the end of the foot, typically finished with a Kitchener stitch (graf