Irishmore

Irishmore Socks by Tracey Lee

What Is Being Made

Irishmore socks are a pair of hand-knitted socks featuring distinctive asymmetric cable detailing on the leg and heel. The design takes its name from a playful misreading of Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands off the Irish coast. These socks are designed as a complete foot covering worked in the round using small circumference needles, with a traditional Dutch heel construction and rounded toe shaping for a comfortable, finished fit.

Techniques Used

The Irishmore socks employ several intermediate-level knitting techniques. The primary construction method involves working in the round on small circumference needles to create a seamless tube for the leg and foot. The signature design feature is cable work, which appears asymmetrically on both the back leg and heel sections, creating bold textural interest. The heel is constructed using a Dutch heel method, a traditional approach that provides durability and comfort. The foot is worked inside out using reverse stocking stitch after the heel flap and turn are completed, and the sock concludes with rounded toe shaping for a professional finish. This combination of techniques makes the pattern suitable for knitters with intermediate experience.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K): The fundamental stitch used throughout the sock for creating the base fabric
• Cable (Cn): The decorative asymmetric cable worked on the leg and heel using a cable needle to create the distinctive twisted texture
• Knit 2 together (K2tog): A decrease stitch used for shaping, particularly in the toe and heel sections
• Stocking stitch: The primary fabric structure for the foot and leg sections
• Reverse stocking stitch: Used on the foot after the heel turn for textural variation

Materials and Specifications

Irishmore socks are worked in 4-ply yarn weight, which provides a lightweight yet durable fabric ideal for everyday wear. The pattern accommodates multiple needle sizes to achieve proper gauge: 2.5mm (US1.5) needles or one size smaller than required for gauge are recommended for knitters who prefer a tighter tension, while 2.75mm (US2) needles or the size required to make gauge work well for standard tension. Both needle styles should be selected in your preferred format for working small circumference knitting. A small cable needle is essential for executing the cable work throughout the leg and heel sections. The sample shown was knit in Knit Picks Stroll hand-painted yarn, demonstrating that the bold cable design works beautifully with multicoloured yarns while remaining clearly visible and well-defined.

Gauge

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 34 stitches and 40 rows over 10 centimeters (4 inches) in stocking stitch on the larger needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct sock circumference and length, ensuring a comfortable fit.