Ajna

Ajna Socks by N.kaBia

What is Being Made

Ajna is a pair of knitted socks designed by independent designer N.kaBia. This downloadable PDF pattern provides instructions for creating fitted socks in multiple sizes ranging from EU 36/37 through EU 44/45. The design features a two-color stranded knitting technique that creates a patterned leg section, making these socks both functional and visually distinctive.

Craft and Primary Technique

This project uses knitting as the primary craft method. The socks are worked in the round using double-pointed needles (DPNs), which is a traditional technique for creating seamless, tubular garments like socks. The pattern incorporates stranded knitting (also known as fair isle or color-work knitting), where two yarn colors are carried and worked simultaneously to create a patterned design on the leg of the sock.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Ribbing – The cuff is worked in knit 2, purl 2 ribbing for the first 20 rounds, creating an elastic edge that helps the socks stay in place
• Stranded colorwork – Alternating colors A and B in every round from round 3 onward to create the patterned design on the leg
• Cable techniques – A cable needle is included in the materials list, indicating that cable stitches are incorporated into the leg pattern
• Knit and purl stitches – Basic stitches form the foundation of the ribbed cuff and body
• Working in the round – Stitches are divided evenly across four DPNs and worked continuously in rounds rather than flat rows

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty. While basic knitting skills are required, the combination of stranded colorwork, cable techniques, and working in the round on DPNs places this project beyond beginner level. Knitters should be comfortable with maintaining tension across multiple needles and managing two yarn colors simultaneously.

Materials Required

The Ajna socks require 100 grams total of 4-ply fingering weight yarn, specifically two 50-gram skeins in different solid colorways (referred to as color A and color B in the instructions). The yardage provided is 420 meters or 459 yards total. This lightweight yarn weight is ideal for socks as it creates a durable, well-fitting fabric with excellent stitch definition for the colorwork pattern.

Additional materials include:

• Five double-pointed needles (DPNs) in size 2.5 mm (US 1.5) – The smaller needle size is appropriate for the fine 4-ply yarn and creates the tight gauge necessary for durable socks
• Cable needle – Used to hold stitches when working cable sections in the leg pattern
• Two stitch markers (optional) – Helpful for tracking pattern repeats and round beginnings
• Darning needle – Used to weave in yarn ends after the socks are completed

Pattern Structure and Sizing

The pattern is provided in multiple sizes: EU 36/37, 38/39, 40/41, 42/43, and 44/45. Cast-on stitches range from 60 to 68 stitches depending on size, divided evenly across four needles. The cuff begins with 20 rounds of knit 2, purl 2 ribbing worked in color A only, followed by the leg section where colors alternate in every round. The pattern includes a 30-stitch repeat section in the middle of a needle that features the stranded colorwork and cable design elements.