Rippling Waters Socks

Rippling Waters Socks by Terry Morris

Project Overview

Rippling Waters Socks is a downloadable knitting pattern designed by Terry Morris (SailingKnitter) that showcases hand-painted yarns through elegant wave-like stitch patterns. This intermediate-level sock pattern features gentle ripples created by alternating cable crossings set against a background of stockinette stitch, allowing the yarn's unique colorway to become the focal point of the finished garment.

What Is Being Made

These are women's socks available in two sizes: Women's Medium and Women's Large/Men's Medium. The pattern is designed for fingering or sock weight yarn and requires one skein to complete a pair. The sample shown was knit in hand-painted Sock! yarn in the South Pacific colorway, demonstrating how the pattern works beautifully with variegated and hand-dyed yarns.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Rippling Waters Socks employ cable knitting as the primary decorative technique. The pattern uses alternating cable crossings that create a wave-like visual effect across the sock. This intermediate-level technique requires working cables on a foundation of stockinette stitch, which provides contrast and allows the cable pattern to stand out prominently. The use of cables in sock construction adds textural interest while maintaining the structural integrity needed for a wearable garment.

Stitches and Stitch Abbreviations

• Stockinette Stitch: Forms the main background of the sock, creating a smooth sea of knit fabric against which the cables stand out
• CF4 (Cable 4 Front): A 2 x 2 cable worked over 4 stitches. To work this stitch, slip the next 2 stitches onto a cable needle and hold in front, knit the next 2 stitches, then knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle
• C4B (Cable 4 Back): A 2 x 2 cable worked over 4 stitches. To work this stitch, slip the next 2 stitches onto a cable needle and hold in back, knit the next 2 stitches, then knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle

Materials and Gauge

The pattern calls for fingering or sock weight yarn. The sample was knit using Sock! yarn from the studio of Lisa Souza, which is composed of 75% superwash wool, 15% nylon, and comes in 4-ounce skeins with 450 yards per skein. One skein is sufficient to complete a pair of socks.

Knitting needles required are US Size 1 (2.25mm) double point needles or the size needed to obtain the specified gauge. A cable needle is essential for working the cable stitches throughout the pattern. The gauge for this pattern is 8 stitches = 1 inch, which is typical for fingering weight yarn and ensures the socks will fit properly and have the correct drape and structure.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters who have mastered basic sock construction and are comfortable working with cable stitches. The combination of double point needles, cable techniques, and the need to maintain gauge and fit makes this an appropriate challenge for knitters with some experience beyond the beginner level.