Furballs Having Hives

Furballs Having Hives Knitted Socks by Tomato68Evony

Project Overview

Furballs Having Hives is an intermediate-level knitted sock pattern designed by independent designer Tomato68Evony. This downloadable PDF pattern provides complete instructions for creating a pair of worsted weight socks using fundamental knitting techniques combined with specialty stitching methods.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a complete pair of socks knitted from toe to cuff. The finished socks measure 9.5 inches from toe to heel and 7 inches from heel to cuff before blocking, with a width of approximately 4 inches across the foot and 3 inches at the leg opening. The pattern is designed for worsted weight yarn, making it a quicker knit compared to lighter yarn weights.

Knitting Techniques and Methods

The Furballs Having Hives pattern employs several key knitting techniques appropriate for intermediate-level crafters:

• Toe-up construction: The socks are worked beginning at the toe and progressing toward the cuff, allowing for easy customization of sock length
• Increases and decreases: The pattern utilizes make one stitches (m1l and m1r) for shaping, as well as knit and purl decreases (k3tog and p3tog) to achieve proper fit
• Slip stitches: Multiple slip stitch techniques (sl2wyif and sl3wyif) are incorporated, which are worked with yarn in front to create specific stitch effects
• Specialty stitch work: The pattern features a unique specialty stitch, k1U2S (knit one stitch under two strands of yarn), which adds textural interest and visual detail
• Stockinette stitch base: The primary fabric is worked in stockinette stitch, the foundational knit stitch pattern

Stitches Used

The pattern incorporates a focused selection of essential knitting stitches:

• Knit (k): The primary stitch creating the smooth stockinette fabric base
• Purl (p): Used in combination with knit stitches and in decrease techniques
• Make one left (m1l): An invisible increase that leans to the left, used for shaping the sock
• Make one right (m1r): An invisible increase that leans to the right, used for balanced shaping
• Knit three together (k3tog): A right-leaning decrease that removes two stitches in one movement
• Purl three together (p3tog): A decrease worked on the wrong side or in purl stitches
• Knit one under two strands (k1U2S): The specialty stitch that creates distinctive texture and visual interest
• Slip stitches (sl2wyif, sl3wyif): Stitches slipped with yarn held in front, used for creating clean edges and stitch effects

Materials Required

Yarn: The pattern calls for worsted weight acrylic yarn, with a total yardage requirement of 176.1 yards (161.0 meters) per pair, approximately 3.7 ounces (105.6 grams). Worsted weight yarn is a medium thickness that works quickly on larger needles.

Needles: Size 3.50 mm / US 4 knitting needles are required. The pattern accommodates multiple needle styles—straight needles, circular needles, or double-pointed needles—allowing knitters to choose their preferred sock knitting method.

Additional supplies: A measuring tape, scissors, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends are necessary to complete the project.

Gauge and Finished Measurements

The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches by 32 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in stockinette stitch before blocking. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished sock dimensions. Pre-block measurements are 9.5 inches by 4 inches for the foot section and 7 inches by 3 inches for the leg section.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, this pattern assumes knitters have mastery of basic stitches and techniques. The inclusion of