Spun

Spun Handspun Yarn Socks by Fiona Hamilton-MacLaren

What Is Being Made

Spun is a toe-up sock pattern designed specifically for showcasing handspun yarn. This downloadable knitting pattern allows crafters to create a pair of socks that highlight the unique qualities of handspun fiber while incorporating durable commercial yarn in strategic locations. The design celebrates the artistry of hand-spun materials by featuring them prominently in the leg and foot sections of the sock.

Design and Construction Method

The socks are worked from the toe upward, a construction method that offers flexibility in yarn quantity and allows knitters to use as much handspun yarn as available. The pattern incorporates a lace pattern throughout the design, which serves both aesthetic and practical purposes—the openwork creates visual interest while making efficient use of precious handspun yarn. The heel and toe sections are worked in commercial yarn for enhanced durability and longevity, ensuring these high-wear areas withstand regular use better than handspun fiber alone.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This pattern requires intermediate knitting skills and incorporates several important techniques:

• Judy's magic cast on — a specialized cast-on method ideal for toe-up sock construction
• Knitting in the round — worked on either double-pointed needles or circular needles
• Lace stitches — created using yarn overs combined with decreasing stitches to form openwork patterns
• Wrap and turn — a short-row technique used for shaping the heel
• Increasing and decreasing stitches — for shaping the sock to fit the foot and leg
• Grafting stitches — for seamlessly joining sections, particularly at the toe closure
• Weaving in ends — finishing technique for securing yarn tails

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for a combination of handspun and commercial yarns to balance artistry with practicality. Knitters will need approximately 100 grams of handspun yarn in 4-ply (fingering) weight. For best results, the pattern recommends using multi-ply handspun yarn with a fairly high twist, which provides better stitch definition and durability. The handspun fiber should ideally contain nylon or another durable fiber to enhance wear resistance. Additionally, 25 grams of commercial 4-ply yarn in a coordinating or contrasting color is required for the heel, toe, and cuff sections. The pattern sample was created using A Little Bit Sheepish Shetland and silk in ink for the handspun sections, paired with Regia silk 4-ply for the durable commercial yarn components.

Tools and Notions

Essential supplies include 2.5mm needles (available as either double-pointed needles or circular needles, depending on preferred working method), a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, 3 stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, and 30 centimeters of 4-ply waste yarn for the cast-on process.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked at a gauge of 32 stitches and 44 rows per 10 centimeters in stocking stitch. Multiple sizing options are provided within the pattern to accommodate different foot measurements, with stitch counts given for small, medium, and large sizes.