Manipura

Manipura Socks by N.kaBia

What is Being Made

Manipura is a downloadable knitting pattern for a pair of socks designed by N.kaBia. This intermediate-level project creates fitted socks in multiple European shoe sizes, ranging from EU 36/37 up to EU 44/45. The socks feature a two-color stranded knitting design that alternates between two solid colorways throughout the leg and foot sections.

Knitting Techniques Used

This sock pattern employs several essential knitting techniques suited to intermediate crafters. The project begins with a ribbed cuff worked in a knit 2, purl 2 pattern to create stretch and a fitted finish at the top of the sock. The main body transitions into stranded colorwork, where two colors are carried and alternated across rounds to create a patterned design. The pattern utilizes circular knitting on double-pointed needles (DPNs), a traditional method for creating seamless socks worked continuously in the round. A cable needle is included in the materials list, suggesting the pattern may incorporate cable stitches or twisted stitch techniques for added texture and visual interest.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (K) – the fundamental stitch forming the base fabric
• Purl stitch (P) – used in the ribbed cuff section in a 2x2 alternation with knit stitches
• Stranded colorwork stitches – knit stitches worked in alternating colors across rounds to create the patterned design

Materials Required

The Manipura socks are worked with 4-ply fingering weight yarn, a lightweight yarn ideal for creating fitted, detailed socks with excellent stitch definition. The pattern calls for 2 x 50g balls (100g total) of fingering weight sockyarn, providing approximately 420 meters or 459 yards of yardage. Two different solid colorways are required – referred to as colour A and colour B in the instructions – allowing crafters to select complementary or contrasting shades for the stranded colorwork design.

Needles and notions include 5 double-pointed needles (DPNs) in size 2.5mm (US 1.5) for working the sock in the round, a cable needle for any twisted or cabled stitch sections, optional stitch markers to track round beginnings, and a darning needle for weaving in yarn ends upon completion.

Pattern Structure

The sock is divided into distinct sections. The cuff is worked first in colour A only, establishing a 2x2 ribbed texture over 20 rounds. From round 21 onward, the pattern transitions to the leg section, where the stranded colorwork design begins. Stitches are cast on in quantities of 60, 64, or 68 depending on the chosen size, then divided evenly across four double-pointed needles to facilitate seamless circular knitting. The alternating color pattern continues throughout the leg, with colour A and colour B switched in every round to create the distinctive two-tone design.