The Altitude Socks are the 6th and final secret pattern to be revealed in The Handmade Sock Society 3: get the whole collection here!

The trek up a mountain is a slow and careful climb. The steep and rugged landscape is only half the battle: the altitude itself is the real adversary. Ascending into the clouds, where the air grows thin, is a slow and methodical process. The approach happens in stages over days or even weeks. Climbers gain a little more height every day, and then camp and rest. Allowing the body to adjust and adapt—to learn the air and make do with less—is a part of the experience, and it cannot be skipped without consequences. The triumph of the peak, the exhilarating views, the sense of accomplishment: all of this can only be purchased with patience. The harsh atmosphere of high altitudes presents a challenge, but also a gift. There is a reason elite endurance athletes choose to train at altitude: in these difficult conditions, their hearts grow stronger. When they come back down from the mountain top, it seems as if they can fly.

The Altitude Socks are a striking, two colour project, simple to knit, but with just enough detail to hold your attention. A 1x1 twisted rib cuff starts things off, and the design features a mountain-top pattern on the front with plain stripes on the back of the leg. If you prefer a single colour sock, the subtle chevron texture will still add plenty of interest. A pretty eye of partridge heel and gusset and a wedge toe with a pop of contrast colour finish them off, but as always, you can easily substitute the heel and toe finishes that fit you best. The pattern also comes with three sizes so that you can further customise the fit.

Finished Measurements:
To fit approx. foot circumference of 7 (8, 9)” /17.5 (20.5, 22.5) cm

Yarn:

MC
Olann Sock Lite
80% superwash extrafine merino, 20% nylon; 100g = 425m/465yds,
1 x 100g skein,
Colour: Crypt

CC
Viola Merino Fingering
100% merino; 100g = 366m/400yds,
1 x 100g skein,
Colour: Midnight

or:

Medium Size sample used approximately:

MC: 50g (213m/233yds) of light fingering weight yarn

CC: 12g (44m/48yds) of fingering weight yarn

Needles:
2.25mm (US 1), 100cm (40”) long circular needles (or size to obtain
gauge) for magic loop method or DPNs if preferred

Notions:
Tapestry needle
Stitch markers

Gauge
32 sts/46 rounds = 10 cm (4”) in stockinette stitch