Flourish Socks by Helen Stewart

Flourish Socks

Knitting
April 2025
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
32 stitches and 46 rows = 4 inches
in Stockinette
US 1 - 2.25 mm
345 - 399 yards (315 - 365 m)
English
This pattern is available for £10.75.

The Flourish Socks are the 1st of 6 secret patterns in The Handmade Sock Society 6 collection! Purchase THSS 6 Ebook Here!


Medieval manuscripts with swirling illuminated capitals. The confiding slant of Victorian correspondence. The dear, wobbly scribbles of a little one’s first letters. Handwriting has always had a way of capturing something more than just words. These personal marks preserve something intimate about the hand that made them — a flourish of individual spirit captured in time, like flowers pressed between pages of a beloved book.
The Flourish Socks are inspired by the swoops and scrolls of handwritten copperplate script. These socks are knit from the top down, beginning with a ribbed cuff. A scrolling lace panel flows down the front of each sock, framed delicately by twisted-stitch columns. The ornate effect seems complex, but the repeats have a pleasant rhythm…like meditative sessions of calligraphy practice. The traditional heel flap and gusset construction ensures a comfortable fit, while the round toe creates a neat finish, and it’s easy to swap in your own favourite heels or toes, if you prefer.
Size
Small (Medium, Large)

Finished Measurements
To fit approx. foot circumference of 7 (8, 9)“ /17.5 (20, 22.5) cm.

Yarn
NNK 4-ply High Twist Merino Cashmere Sock 80% superwash merino, 10% nylon, 10% cashmere; 365m/400yds per 100g skein, 1 x skein
Colour: Flourish

Actual Yarn Used in Sample 80g, 292m/320yds 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
3 stitch markers
Cable needle

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


This season of the Handmade Sock Society is inspired by the dreamy aesthetics of light academia: a cosy atmosphere of sunlit libraries, antique writing desks, and snug reading nooks. It’s dedicated to the secret worlds inside our journals, our favourite stories, our sketchbooks, and our daydreams.

The Handmade Sock Society is a mystery pattern collection for knitters who cherish handmade socks and delightful surprises. Over six months, I release six secret sock patterns, and members participate in a lively knitalong. It’s always a wonderful experience of discovery and connection.

The Handmade Sock Society 6 release dates:

  • Secret Pattern 1 - Thursday, May 1st, 2025
  • Secret Pattern 2 - Thursday, June 5th, 2025
  • Secret Pattern 3 - Thursday, July 3rd, 2025
  • Secret Pattern 4 - Thursday, August 7th, 2025
  • Secret Pattern 5 - Thursday, September 4th, 2025
  • Secret Pattern 6 - Thursday, October 2nd, 2025

Writing (and knitting!) by hand is a way to escape from the grind of the digital world, into moments of pure tactile creation. The satisfying weight of a fountain pen gliding over creamy parchment, or the gentle rhythm of needles sliding through wool. The subtle aromas of leather-bound journals and polished wood, or the comforting scent of a freshly wound skein.

From the graceful script of a practiced hand to the even stitches of a careful knitter, from the precise impressions of a manual letterpress to the slow shaping of a sock heel, these parallel crafts speak of tradition, care, and the enduring human hope that we can leave our own lovely mark on this world.

Join us and embark on a season of secret sock patterns and the warm camaraderie of like-minded knitters. No matter your skill level, there’s a place for you in the Handmade Sock Society. Whether you’re a curious beginner setting out on your first sock-knitting adventure or an experienced sock enthusiast seeking fresh inspiration, this collection of mystery patterns and our welcoming community of thoughtful makers will nurture your creative spirit.

With six captivating new sock knitting patterns to discover, The Handmade Sock Society 6 is an ode to scholarly pursuits and the romance of the writer’s life.

Each pattern has been thoughtfully designed to balance meditative knitting and interesting details, with detailed instructions and delightful stitch patterns that capture the essence of the writer’s craft. As always, the collection offers a satisfying variety of design elements to explore: touches of elegant lace, engaging textures, and techniques that celebrate our shared heritage of handcraft.