Claire

Claire Socks by Adrienne Ku

What Is Being Made

Claire is a pair of knitted socks designed by independent designer Adrienne Ku. These are advanced-level socks featuring a decorative stitch pattern that combines traveling stitches and ribbing for both visual interest and an excellent fit.

Craft and Primary Technique

This project uses knitting as the primary craft method. The socks are constructed using the round method, worked in the round on double-pointed needles to create a seamless, tubular garment. The construction follows a traditional sock architecture with distinct sections: leg, foot, and toe.

Stitch Techniques and Pattern Details

The Claire socks showcase an advanced difficulty level due to their use of specialized stitch techniques. The pattern combines multiple stitch types to create visual and structural complexity:

• Stockinette stitch — used for the sole stitches on the foot section, providing a smooth, classic knit fabric
• Patterned stitches on the instep — alternating columns of traveling stitches and ribbing create a decorative texture while maintaining structural integrity
• Left twist (LT) — a stitch technique that skips the first stitch and knits into the back of the next stitch, creating the traveling column effect
• Decreases for shaping — knit 2 together (k2tog) and slip-slip-knit (ssk) decreases are used in the toe section to gradually reduce stitches and shape the sock closure
• Grafting — the toe is closed using the Kitchener stitch (grafting method), creating an invisible, seamless finish

Construction Method

The sock is worked in rounds from the cuff downward. The foot section maintains sole stitches in stockinette stitch while the instep features the decorative pattern of alternating traveling stitches and rib. Work continues until the foot reaches a point 2 inches shorter than the desired finished length. The toe is then shaped through consecutive rounds of decreases on all four needles, reducing from the initial stitch count to 28 or 36 stitches, then further to 16 or 20 stitches before grafting closed.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Claire is designed for 4-ply and sport weight yarns, which are lightweight to medium-weight options ideal for socks. These yarn weights create fabric with excellent drape and durability suitable for everyday wear. The pattern is worked on double-pointed needles (dpn), the traditional tool for seamless sock knitting in the round.

Pattern Format

This design is available as a downloadable PDF, providing convenient digital access to the complete pattern instructions, abbreviations, and stitch guidance.