What you'll need
| complete garment: | small | medium | large | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
YLR001
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1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Product Description
This is a pattern for a pair of socks that is knit from the top (cuff) down on two circular needles, with an optional 12-inch needle. The socks themselves are created using a single very ornate cable stitch that is quite unique insuring that cable knitters will love them. There is just a touch of faggotting in them to insure a proper fit. The cable stitch comes to us from the Shetland Islands. The cables add both a little warmth and durability to the socks, as well as show off your knitting prowess. The cables make quite a statement. If you want them to be a little more subtle, knit the socks in a more muted color.
The focal stitch is both charted and written out line by line.
The directions are written for four sizes: small, medium and large, extra-large and are sized by gauge.
Skill Level: Intermediate (assuming a basic knowledge of knitting, cabling).
Any lightweight fingering yarn will work for this pattern. I used Lorna;s Laces Shepherd Sock yarn.
Busy Bee Cabled Socks by Linda Lehman
What is Being Made
The Busy Bee Cabled Socks are a pair of intricately designed knitted socks featuring a unique cable stitch pattern combined with decorative faggotting. This downloadable PDF pattern from designer Linda Lehman creates fun and visually interesting socks suitable for knitters with intermediate experience and foundational knowledge of basic knitting techniques.
Craft and Techniques
This project uses the knitting craft exclusively. The pattern is designed for knitters who have already mastered basic knitting and purling techniques, as well as cable knitting methods. The socks are constructed using circular needles, which is the standard approach for sock knitting, allowing for seamless construction in the round. The pattern incorporates Kitchener Stitch for finishing, a grafting technique used to close the toe section with an invisible seam.
The combination of cable stitches with faggotting creates dimensional texture and visual interest throughout the sock. Faggotting is a decorative openwork technique that adds delicate lace-like details to complement the bolder cable elements, making these socks a true showcase of intermediate knitting skills.
Stitches Used
- Knit Stitch (K) – the fundamental stitch forming the base fabric
- Purl Stitch (P) – used in combination with knit stitches to create texture and pattern definition
- Cable Stitches – the signature element created by crossing stitches over each other using a cable needle, forming twisted rope-like patterns
- Faggotting – an openwork decorative technique that adds lace-like details alongside the cables
- Kitchener Stitch – a grafting method for seamlessly closing the toe
Materials Required
The Busy Bee Cabled Socks pattern requires 390 to 475 yards of lightweight fingering weight yarn, depending on the size being knitted. This yardage range accommodates multiple sizes from Small through Extra Large.
Needle requirements vary by size to achieve proper gauge:
- Size Small: US #2.25mm circular needles
- Size Medium: US #2.50mm circular needles (primary size)
- Size Medium-Large: US #2.75mm or #3.00mm circular needles
- Size Large to Extra Large: US #2.75mm or #3.00mm circular needles
Additional materials include one optional 12-inch needle in the appropriate size for adjusting gauge as needed, stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, and a tapestry needle for executing the Kitchener Stitch finish. The pattern uses 4-ply yarn weight in a fingering weight category, which is ideal for creating detailed stitch definition in cable and faggotting work.
Difficulty Level
This pattern is rated Intermediate, making it suitable for knitters who have progressed beyond beginner projects and are comfortable with cable techniques and circular needle construction. The combination of cables and faggotting presents a moderate challenge that will expand skills while remaining achievable for experienced knitters.
```Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Yarn Weight: | 4 Ply |
| Pages: | 10 |
| Designer: | Linda Lehman |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Notes: | Any light weight fingering yarn giving you a gauge of 8 sts/inch on 2.5mm (or perferred size) needle will work for this pattern. |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
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