Spiny Socks

Spiny Socks by Fatimah Hinds

What Is Being Made

Spiny Socks is a downloadable knitting pattern for women's socks designed by independent designer Fatimah Hinds. The pattern offers multiple size options including womens, womens wide, mens, and mens wide, with finished flat instep measurements ranging from 3.5 inches to 4 inches unstretched. This toe-up sock design accommodates various foot and leg widths thanks to its ribbed construction and inherent stretch.

Knitting Techniques

The Spiny Socks pattern employs a toe-up construction method, which allows knitters to easily adjust the foot width during knitting and monitor yarn usage as they progress. This approach provides flexibility for achieving proper fit before committing yarn to the leg portion of the sock.

The pattern is designed to work on three double-pointed needles (DPNs), though it can be easily adapted for knitting on a single long circular needle. The ribbed construction throughout the design creates natural stretch, making these socks suitable for a wide range of foot and leg widths without requiring multiple gauge-specific versions.

Stitches Used

• 1x1 ribbing: Creates vertical columns of alternating knit and purl stitches that provide stretch and a fitted appearance
• 2x2 cable: Adds textural interest and dimension to the sock design

The gauge swatch combines 19 stitches of 1x1 ribbing with 4 stitches of 2x2 cable, measuring 23 stitches by 25 rows over a 3-inch by 3-inch square. This mixed-stitch gauge swatch reflects the actual pattern construction.

Materials and Yarn Weight

Spiny Socks is designed for DK weight or light worsted weight yarn, requiring approximately 300 yards total. The sample shown was knit with one hank of Studio June Yarn Andrea Mae in DK/Light Worsted Weight (100% superwash merino; 300 yards per 130 grams) in the Havana colorway. Any light worsted or DK weight yarn of similar yardage will work for this pattern.

Needles and Notions

The pattern requires US 4 (3.5mm) double-pointed needles and US 5 (3.75mm) double-pointed needles, or alternatively one long circular needle in these sizes. A darning needle is needed for weaving in ends upon completion.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate difficulty, Spiny Socks assumes knitters are comfortable with basic sock construction techniques, working with DPNs or circular needles in the round, and executing cable stitches. The toe-up method and ribbed construction make this an accessible intermediate project for knitters ready to expand their sock-knitting skills.