The original socks were knit with handspun yarn in two colours (natural white and light grey), but an alternative (though no longer available) is given. Suggested needle sizes are 3 or 2.5 mm. For over-the-knee socks, 250 g of yarn is needed.

The pattern is originally from the Swedish population of Runö, Estonia. The books tells that these socks were usually knitted to reach over the knee, and were worn with woven garters and low seal-skin shoes. The final end of yarn was braided and left at the toe for tying the socks together or hanging them to dry.