Rocking Chair

Rocking Chair Socks by Lina Knits

What Is Being Made

The Rocking Chair socks are a pair of knitted socks designed by Pauliina Karru for Lina Knits. These socks feature a distinctive visual design inspired by the cosy aesthetic of traditional rag rugs. Rather than using colour changes to create stripes, the Rocking Chair pattern achieves its striped effect through alternating lace and textured stitch patterns, creating visual interest and depth without requiring multiple yarn colours.

Knitting Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques. The primary construction method involves circular knitting, which can be worked using either double-pointed needles or the magic loop method with circular needles. The pattern alternates between two distinct stitch patterns—a lace pattern and a textured stitch pattern—to create the signature striped appearance. The socks are worked in the round, a standard approach for sock construction that eliminates the need for seaming.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Rocking Chair socks feature two primary stitch patterns that alternate to create the visual striping effect:

• Lace pattern: Creates an open, delicate appearance with yarn overs and decreases
• Textured stitch pattern: Provides a denser, more tactile surface that contrasts with the lace sections
• Stockinette stitch: Used in other sections of the sock, providing a smooth, classic knit fabric

The alternation between these patterns creates the rug-like visual effect that inspired the design.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Rocking Chair socks are designed for 4-ply fingering weight yarn. The pattern recommends approximately 250 to 273 yards of fingering weight sock yarn. The sample shown was knitted using Triskelion Yarn Scylfing Sock in the Seagull colourway, a premium blend containing 50% Blue-Faced Leicester (BFL), 25% Gotland wool, and 25% Wensleydale wool, with a yardage of 350 metres per 100-gram skein.

Needles and Tools

This pattern requires US 0 / 2 mm needles. Knitters may choose between a set of 5 double-pointed needles (DPNs) or circular needles measuring either 32 inches (80 cm) or 40 inches (100 cm) for the magic loop technique. The pattern also calls for 3 stitch markers to track pattern repeats and construction sections.

Gauge and Sizing

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this project. The pattern specifies 30 stitches by 68 rounds equals 10 centimetres (4 inches) in the lace and textured stitch pattern after blocking. In stockinette stitch sections, the gauge is 30 stitches by 48 rounds per 10 centimetres after blocking. The Rocking Chair socks are available in two sizes with foot circumferences of 7.5 inches (18.5 cm) for Size 1 and 8.5 inches (21.5 cm) for Size 2. The sock length is adjustable, allowing customization to individual leg measurements, with recommended ease of 1 inch (2.5 cm).