This pattern was the Low Octane sock for Lap 4 of the 2022 Supersock World Championship. Check out the SWC Ravelry group threads for questions, discussion, and FOs!

The Estuarine Socks are inspired by Crocodylus porosus, the Estuarine Crocodile, arguably the most dangerous reptile on the planet. They grow longer than a Great White Shark! They live in coastal river systems, but they also swim long distances in the open ocean. They are ambush predators who are extremely aggressive and will attack almost anything in their territory, including boats. They live in a large area of the Indo-Pacific Ocean, and the best way for humans to deal with them is… to stay out of their way!

Pattern Description

These toe-up socks feature a lace panel inspired by the tracks left in the sand by an Estuarine Crocodile. It travels up the inside of the foot, then shifts to the outside of the leg due to asymmetrical gusset increases. The socks feature a gusset and heel flap heel using German short rows and a twisted rib cuff. A second lace panel begins on the heel flap, then travels up the back of the leg opposite the front panel.

This pattern requires the knitter to be able to knit a small circumference in the round (the instructions are method-neutral to suit your preferred sock knitting technique). It clearly explains all techniques required and provides several useful video tutorials, so the pattern is easily accessible to an intermediate sock knitter.

Yarn Requirements and Sizing

Sizes available: Adult Small (Medium, Large) — 56 (64, 72) st at the cuff — to fit foot circumferences of 18 (20.5, 23) cm / 7 (8, 9) inches; the foot length and leg height are adjustable. The lace panels provide some extra circumference, particularly on the leg, so if you are between sizes, I recommend you size down.

For average foot lengths and equal leg heights, approximately 250 (270, 290) m / 275 (295, 315) yards of fingering-weight sock yarn are required.

Because the lace panel is wide and simple, these socks can accommodate some subtle colour variation in the yarn you choose. However, a colourway that is self-striping or one that has strongly contrasting colours in it is not ideal for this pattern.

These socks are rated 5/5 — Challenging — on my sock pattern difficulty scale. This is because they have unusual gusset shaping as well as lace patterning on the heel flap.