False Front II

False Front II Socks by Fatimah Hinds

What is Being Made

False Front II is an advanced knit sock pattern designed for women's sizing, including a women's wide option. These are cuff-down socks knit in the round, featuring a distinctive cable pattern on the back of the cuff while the front cuff and entire foot are worked in classic stockinette stitch. The finished circumference measures 8 inches for standard sizing and 9 inches for the wide option.

Knitting Techniques

This pattern employs several intermediate to advanced knitting techniques that make it suitable for experienced crafters. The socks are constructed in the round from cuff to toe, requiring attention to stitch counts that vary between the front/instep and back/sole sections throughout the pattern. The heel is worked using a unique construction method that eliminates the traditional heel flap, instead utilizing a series of increases and decreases to shape the heel. This technique creates a custom heel fit without the bulk of a conventional flap construction.

The cable pattern is strategically placed only on the back of the cuff, creating visual interest while keeping the instep and foot sections in stockinette stitch for comfort and a streamlined appearance. Knitters must carefully follow pattern notes to maintain proper stitch counts as they transition between different sections of the sock.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch – forms the foundation of the front cuff, instep, and entire foot section
• Cable stitches – featured on the back of the cuff for textural detail
• Increases and decreases – used to shape the heel without a traditional flap

Materials and Tools

Yarn: Cascade Yarns Heritage Silk, a luxury blend of 85% Merino wool and 15% silk, providing both warmth and a subtle sheen. This yarn is available in 437 yards per 3.5 ounce skein and is worked at a 4-ply weight. The pattern sample shown uses the color Pink.

Needles: US 1 (2.25mm) needles, either four double-pointed needles or one long circular needle for the magic loop method, allowing for seamless in-the-round construction.

Notions: Four stitch markers to track pattern repeats and section changes, plus a cable needle for working the cable stitches on the cuff.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked at a gauge of 35 stitches by 44 rounds over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Achieving proper gauge is essential for the finished socks to fit correctly. The pattern includes two finished circumference options: 8 inches for standard women's sizing and 9 inches for women's wide sizing, accommodating different foot widths.

Pattern copyright 2018 Fatimah Hinds. For personal use only. Photographs by Barbara Benson.