Old School

Old School Socks by Corrine Walcher

What Is Being Made

Old School is a pair of knitted socks designed by Corrine Walcher and inspired by stories from her spinning group. The design features a distinctive stitch pattern that evokes the appearance of vintage computer printer paper feeds, creating a nostalgic aesthetic. These are calf-height socks available in three sizes: Small (7" around unstretched), Medium (8" around unstretched), and Large (9" around unstretched).

Knitting Techniques Used

This intermediate-level sock pattern employs several fundamental knitting techniques. The socks are knit in the round, a technique that creates seamless, tubular fabric ideal for garments like socks. The pattern uses double-pointed needles or two circular needles, both traditional methods for working small circumference projects. A key design feature is the heel construction, which continues the rib pattern established in the cuff, ensuring a snug and comfortable fit around the heel area. This approach eliminates the need for a separate heel turn, streamlining the construction process.

Stitches and Stitch Pattern

The Old School pattern incorporates essential sock knitting stitches and abbreviations including:

• Knit (K) and Purl (P) stitches, which form the foundation of the stitch pattern
• Slip stitches (Sl), worked as if to purl with yarn in back
• Decreases using Knit Two Together (K2tog) and Slip, Slip, Knit (SSK)
• Yarn overs (YO) for creating openwork or lace elements
• Purl Two Together (P2tog) for shaping
• Slip markers (SM) for tracking pattern repeats and construction points

The primary stitch pattern creates the vintage printer feed aesthetic that gives these socks their distinctive character. The cuff begins with a ribbed section, which is maintained through the heel for structural integrity and fit.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Old School pattern is designed to be worked with 3-ply or 4-ply weight yarn, ideal for sock construction. The sample was knit using Tempting Ewe Ewe So Perfect Sock yarn in the colorway That's My Favorite Color. This yarn is composed of 75% Merino wool and 25% Nylon, providing durability and elasticity essential for sock wear. Each 100-gram skein contains 463 yards of yarn, providing ample yardage for a complete pair.

The pattern calls for US Size 2 (2.75 mm) needles, available as either a set of 5 double-pointed needles or two circular needles, depending on knitter preference. The recommended gauge is 8 stitches per inch when working stockinette stitch in the round, ensuring proper fit and fabric drape.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with some experience beyond basic techniques. Familiarity with circular knitting, decreases, and reading stitch patterns is beneficial for successfully completing this project.