Jupon

Jupon Socks by Jo Shaw

What is Being Made

Jupon is a pair of top-down socks designed by Jo Shaw and published by Hardy Barn Designs. These socks are crafted to provide warm, comfortable footwear with a distinctive stitch pattern that extends throughout the entire sock. The name Jupon references the slip petticoat, drawing inspiration from the slipped stitches that form the sock's primary design element. This is an intermediate-level knitting project suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle sock construction.

Techniques Used

The Jupon socks employ a sophisticated approach to sock construction by extending the standard slipped stitch heel technique across the entire garment. Rather than limiting the decorative slipped stitch pattern to just the heel, Jo Shaw has adapted this traditional technique to cover the full sock, creating visual interest and texture from cuff to toe. The socks are worked from the top down, a popular method that allows knitters to try on the sock as they progress and easily adjust the foot length before binding off. This construction method provides excellent control over fit and ensures the socks can be customized to the wearer's measurements.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitches – worked through the back loop for a refined appearance
• Purl stitches – incorporated into the stitch pattern
• Slipped stitches – the signature stitch that defines the Jupon design, creating texture and visual depth throughout the sock
• Make one left (m1l) – used for increases by inserting the left needle under the strand between needles from front to back
• Marker placement and slipping – essential for tracking pattern repeats and construction sections

Materials

The Jupon socks are designed to be worked in 4ply/fingering weight yarn, a fine gauge that creates delicate, well-fitting socks. The recommended yarn is Fine Fish Yarns Merino Nylon Sock, a high-quality blend consisting of 75% merino wool and 25% nylon. This fiber composition provides warmth from the merino while the nylon content adds durability and elasticity for long-lasting wear. Each hank contains 100 grams and yields 425 meters (465 yards), with the pattern requiring 1 to 2 hanks depending on the size being knitted. The colorway featured is June Bug. Knitters will need a set of double-pointed needles or circular needles appropriate for 4ply yarn, along with stitch markers to track pattern repeats and construction sections throughout the project.