Paris Gardens

Paris Gardens Socks by Renate Kamm

Project Overview

Paris Gardens is a downloadable knitting pattern for socks designed by independent designer Renate Kamm. This project is specifically crafted for the beginning stranded knitter, offering an accessible introduction to colorwork techniques while creating a finished, wearable pair of socks. The pattern is worked from cuff down, a popular construction method that allows knitters to try on the socks as they progress and adjust the length to their preference.

Sizing and Fit

The pattern includes 4 sizes to accommodate various foot dimensions. Foot circumference options are 8, 9, 10, and 11 inches, with adjustable length measurements from toe to heel available in the same 8, 9, 10, and 11 inch increments. This flexibility ensures a customized fit for different wearers.

Stranded Colorwork Placement

The stranded color work sections are strategically positioned throughout the sock design. A small stranded color work section appears directly below the cuff, followed by additional colorwork inside the heel flap, and leading into the toe decreases. This placement distributes the colorwork across the sock, making the pattern visually interesting while keeping the technique manageable for intermediate knitters.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The primary construction uses stockinette stitch as the base fabric. The socks incorporate stranded colorwork (also known as Fair Isle knitting), a technique where two colors of yarn are carried across the back of the work to create patterns on the front.

A special technique featured in this pattern is the doubled tail long-tail cast-on. This method provides greater elasticity at the cuff, which is essential for socks that need to stretch comfortably around the leg and foot. The technique involves doubling the length of the cast-on tail and folding it in half, then treating the doubled strand as the tail while performing the long-tail cast-on method.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The pattern calls for two distinct yarns in complementary colors:

• Main Color (MC): Ancient Arts Woof Collection in Fingering/Sock weight (100% Superwash Blue Faced Leicester Wool), color Chocolate Lab. Approximately 180 yards are required.
• Coordinating Color (CC): Knit Picks Hawthorne in Fingering Weight (80% Superwash Fine Highland Wool, 20% Polyamide), color Portsmouth. Approximately 190 yards are required.

Both yarns are fingering or sock weight, which is the standard for sock knitting. The superwash treatment on both yarns makes the finished socks easy to care for, as they can be machine washed. The combination of Blue Faced Leicester wool and Highland wool blended with polyamide creates a durable, elastic fabric suitable for the wear and stretch demands of socks.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern requires 1 set of 2.5mm (US 1.5) double-pointed needles. Double-pointed needles are the traditional tool for sock knitting, allowing knitters to work in the round without a seam. The working gauge is 30 stitches by 42 rows over a 4-inch by 4-inch square in stockinette stitch, which is typical for fingering weight yarn and ensures a fabric with appropriate density and drape for socks.

Difficulty Level

Classified as an intermediate project, Paris Gardens socks are designed to build confidence in stranded colorwork without overwhelming the knitter. The combination of basic sock construction with limited colorwork sections makes this an ideal pattern for knitters who have completed simple socks and are ready to explore color patterning techniques.