Slanty

Slanty Socks by Corrine Walcher

What is Being Made

Slanty is a downloadable knitting pattern for a pair of socks designed by independent designer Corrine Walcher. These socks feature simple, mirrored patterning that runs at a slant across the leg and foot. The design offers three finished sizes: Small (7" around unstretched), Medium (8" around unstretched), and Large (9" around unstretched), making them suitable for a range of foot sizes. The socks are constructed using traditional sock knitting methods and are ideal for knitters with intermediate-level skills.

Techniques Used

Slanty employs several fundamental sock knitting techniques that create both structure and visual interest. The pattern incorporates cable stitches as part of its slanted patterning, using both left-leaning and right-leaning cable crosses to create the mirrored effect. The socks are knit in the round, a standard approach for seamless sock construction that ensures a smooth, comfortable fit. The pattern includes a traditional heel flap, a time-tested method that creates a reinforced heel section with increased durability for everyday wear. The socks finish with a wide toe, providing comfort and ease during the toe-decrease section. Decreases are worked using standard sock shaping methods to taper the foot smoothly toward the toe.

Stitches Used

The stitch vocabulary for Slanty includes essential knitting abbreviations and techniques:

• Knit (K) and Purl (P) stitches form the foundation of the stockinette stitch background
• Slip stitches (Sl) used as if to purl with yarn in back, often employed in heel flap construction for a neat, finished appearance
• Decreases: K2tog (knit two together) and SSK (slip, slip, knit) create the tapered shaping, particularly in the toe section
• Cable crosses: 1/1 LC (left cross) and 1/1 RC (right cross) create the signature slanted patterning by crossing single stitches over one another
• Marker placement (PM, SM) helps track pattern repeats and construction sections

Materials and Gauge

The pattern calls for Neighborhood Fiber Company Studio Sock yarn, a 100% superwash merino wool available in 400-yard skeins per 100 grams. The sample shown was knit in the colorway Olde Towne East. This yarn weight falls in the 3-ply and 4-ply range, standard for sock knitting, providing the necessary durability and elasticity for comfortable, long-wearing socks.

Needles required are US size 2 (2.75 mm), with the option to use either a set of five double-pointed needles or two circular needles, allowing knitters to choose their preferred method for working in the round. The pattern is worked to a gauge of 8 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch, knit in the round. Achieving this gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished sock size, so knitters should swatch before beginning the project.