When Worlds Collide

When Worlds Collide Socks by Erica Lueder

Project Overview

When Worlds Collide is a beginner-friendly knitted sock pattern designed by independent designer Erica Lueder. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a pair of socks featuring an eye-catching combination of brick and lace stitch patterns that work together to create visual interest throughout the leg and foot of the garment.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a complete pair of socks worked from the cuff down. The socks feature a ribbed cuff, a patterned leg section combining brick and lace stitches, and a traditional heel construction. The finished socks are designed to fit an average adult foot and are suitable for everyday wear.

Techniques Used

• Knitting in the round: The socks are constructed using circular needles to create seamless, tubular fabric
• Ribbing: A mixed rib pattern creates the cuff for elasticity and a secure fit around the ankle
• Charted stitch patterns: The Brick and Lace Leg Pattern is worked from a provided chart, allowing knitters to follow visual instructions for complex stitch placement
• Heel flap construction: A traditional heel flap is worked flat before turning the heel to create a shaped heel pocket
• Slipped stitches: The heel flap uses slipped stitches worked differently than in the leg pattern for durability and structure

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (k): The fundamental stitch used throughout the sock
• Purl stitch (p): Used in ribbing and the lace pattern for texture and visual contrast
• Brick stitch: A textured stitch pattern that creates a brick-like appearance in the leg section
• Lace stitch: An openwork stitch pattern combined with the brick stitch for an intricate design
• Slipped stitches: Used in the heel flap to create reinforced edges and a neat appearance

Materials Required

Yarn: Fingering weight yarn totaling approximately 375 to 400 yards. The sample sock shown in the pattern was knitted using Dreams in Fiber Superwash Sock Yarn in the Familiar colorway, which is a practical choice for washable, durable socks.

Needles: US 2 (2.75mm) circular needles in a set of 2. This needle size is standard for fingering weight sock yarn and creates the appropriate gauge for a well-fitting sock.

Gauge: 32 stitches per 4 inches (10 centimeters) in stockinette stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper sock fit and is particularly important when working with fingering weight yarn.

Pattern Details

The sock begins with a cast-on of 62 stitches divided evenly between two circular needles (31 stitches per needle). The cuff is worked in a mixed ribbing pattern combining knit and purl stitches for 15 rows, creating an elastic edge that holds the sock securely on the foot. The leg section features the Brick and Lace Leg Pattern worked for a total of 3 pattern repeats or until the desired sock length is reached. The heel is constructed using a traditional heel flap method with modified stitch slipping techniques specific to the heel section before transitioning to the foot.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as beginner-friendly, making it an excellent choice for knitters new to sock construction. While the pattern includes charted stitch patterns, the techniques used are fundamental and the instructions provide clear guidance for each section of the sock.