This pattern is currently only available as part of A Stitch In Time Volume 3 - The Colourwork Edition.

The charming Bobby Socks pattern was first published alongside the Bobby sweater in Stitchcraft’s ‘Fairisle for All’ booklet. This delightful pattern has a decorative colourwork cuff which sits over a stocking stitch short leg. The motif matches that of the Bobby sweater to create a fabulous set. The cuff uses the smallest amount of 10 shades of sock yarn and is great for using up oddments of yarn in your stash.

The vintage version of these socks are knitted flat and then seamed, whilst our updated version is knitted in the round using a more standard sock construction familiar to most knitters. The socks begin with a colourwork cuff which sits over a closer-fitting ribbed section. A short leg is then worked before a standard heel flap is knitted followed by a stocking stitch foot. The direction of knitting changes after knitting the ribbed section to ensure the colourwork sock is facing the right way once the cuff has been turned over the ribbed section.

Four widths are provided in the updated pattern to fit a range of leg circumferences, with the foot length adjustable to fit the intended wearer.

The Bobby Socks are knitted using Susan Crawford Lock sock yarn which uses our own Lonk sheep fibre, a designated rare sheep breed. It is spun for us in nearby Yorkshire and dyed in-house by Susan’s daughter, Charlie. Ten shades are used in total for these fab socks to match the beautiful Bobby sweater. Susan choose a fresh spring-like range of shades, from the soft, sky-blue of Edy to the bold yellow tones of Sissinghurst.

Our model Charlie is shown wearing the 2nd size socks to fit a leg circumference of 21cm (8.5in) and has a UK size 5 (US 6.5/EU size 38) foot.

The pattern includes instructions for four sizes to fit a range of leg circumferences from 17.5cm (7in) to 26cm (10.5in) and contains both clear written pattern directions, together with charted instructions, plus a comprehensive schematic diagram and sizing chart.

A yarn kit is also available containing all the hand-dyed Lock yarn required to knit Bobby Socks.

Yarn
Susan Crawford Lock fingering weight sock yarn, 75% British Lonk, 25% nylon (378m / 414yds per 100g skein approx - 95m / 103yds per 25g skein approx)
1 100g skein, shade Edy
1 25g skein each of shades Banting, Sissinghurst, Knole, Fitzroy, Virginia, Heathcote, Bell, Vita and Atwood.

Suggested needles
Small needles: 2.25mm (US 1) DPNs
Large needles: 2.75mm (US 2) DPNs

Gauge
34 sts and 42 rounds = 10cm (4in) over stocking stitch worked in the round. We obtained this gauge using 2.25mm needles.
34 sts and 42 rounds = 10cm (4in) over stranded colourwork pattern worked in the round. We obtained this gauge using 2.75mm needles

Notions
Waste yarn, stitch markers, tapestry needle.

Techniques
Knitting in the round
Following a chart
Sock construction
Grafting