Siddal

Siddal Socks by Cheryl Toy

What Is Being Made

Siddal is a pair of knitted socks inspired by Elizabeth Siddal, the Pre-Raphaelite muse and artist's model. These socks feature decorative lace patterning throughout, making them a showcase piece designed to be worn visibly with sandals or clogs. The design comes in five sizes ranging from XS to XL, with finished leg circumferences of 7 to 8¾ inches (18 to 22 cm).

Construction Method

The Siddal socks are worked top-down, beginning at the cuff and progressing toward the toe. This construction method allows knitters to try on the socks as they work and easily adjust the length to fit. The pattern incorporates an integrated-gusset strong heel and a grafted wedge toe, which are advanced finishing techniques that create seamless, professional-looking results.

Stitch Techniques and Patterning

The sock design showcases multiple stitch techniques that create visual interest and demonstrate intermediate-level knitting skills:

• Lace patterning at the cuff: Bands of staggered lace create an openwork design at the top of the sock, establishing the decorative theme
• Eyelet columns: Simple eyelet motifs gradually transition from the cuff down the leg, creating vertical lines of openwork
• Offset motifs: Lace patterning continues asymmetrically, adding visual complexity and preventing a uniform appearance
• Eyelet-edged strong heel: The heel flap incorporates eyelet detailing along its edges, allowing the decorative patterning to extend into this typically plain area
• Stockinette stitch on the sole: The bottom of the foot is worked in smooth stockinette stitch for durability and comfort
• Instep motifs: Lace patterning recurs on the top of the foot, maintaining visual continuity
• Smooth stockinette toe: The toe section simplifies to plain stockinette stitch before closure
• Kitchener stitch grafting: The toe is closed using the Kitchener stitch, a technique that creates an invisible seam by grafting live stitches together

Knitting Techniques

This intermediate-level pattern requires knitters to be comfortable with several specialized techniques. The integrated-gusset construction involves shaping the sock to accommodate the heel and instep in a seamless manner. The strong heel is a reinforced heel construction that provides durability in a high-wear area. Kitchener stitch, also known as grafting, is used to join the toe stitches without creating a visible seam, resulting in a smooth, comfortable finish.

Materials Required

The Siddal socks are designed to be knitted with 4-ply yarn, a medium-weight yarn that provides good stitch definition for displaying the lace patterning. Knitters will need U.S. Size 1 (2.25 mm) needles in their preferred small-circumference configuration. The pattern accommodates various needle preferences, including double-pointed needles (DPNs), long circular needles for the magic loop method, two shorter circular needles, or a set of three flexible DPNs. An 8–9 inch circular needle is also suitable for working these socks in the round.

Difficulty Level

Rated as an intermediate project, the Siddal socks are suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle lace patterning, heel shaping, and grafting techniques. The staggered lace bands and eyelet columns require attention to stitch placement and pattern reading, while the integrated-gusset heel and grafted toe demand precision and familiarity with advanced finishing methods.