GIFT SOCKS
{Stocaí Bronntanas}

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I am often asked whether I have a go-to pattern for making socks as gifts for other people. Indeed I do! And here it is.

Stocaí Bronntanas (meaning ‘Gift Socks’ in Irish) make for a snazzy-looking pair of socks enjoyable for the knitter and recipient alike.

The wide rib gives these socks a tidy and polished appearance, while the Integrated Heel construction lends them a bespoke touch. This combination seems to be a crowd-pleaser for the recipients, and after gifting these socks I always notice they get plenty of wear. I also find that the pattern being one step up from plain ‘vanilla’ makes for more engaging knitting, encouraging me to finish a pair in time for whatever special occasion it is meant for. I hope it does the same for you!

Choose between cuff-down and toe-up construction; instructions are provided for both.

Knit these is a single colour, or use up your scrap yarns. Instructions for Whimsical Stripes Sequence and Colour Block versions are included in the pattern.

To be clear, this is a very simple pattern - basically, my version of basic ribbed socks. But I get a lot of requests for simple, and so this is in response to such requests.

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MATERIALS & INFORMATION

Yarn

suitable for fingering-weight yarns 

(approximately 400m/100g)
1 skein

Gauge

35 sts / 10cm (4”) in pattern 



Needles

circular needles suitable for Magic Loop, 

2.25mm (US Size 1) in diameter,
or as needed to meet gauge

Notions

2 stitch markers; measuring tape; tapestry needle

Techniques

Magic Loop, Kitchener stitch
{instructions for adapting to double-pointed needles and circular needles are provided in the pattern)

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Sock Construction

These socks can be worked from the cuff down, or from the toe up, with Integrated Heel construction.

The Integrated Heel

This pattern features the Integrated method of heel construction. The Integrated Heel looks and fits similarly to the traditional heel flap and gusset, but is created largely in the round. The instructions provided in this pattern are entirely sufficient to learn this method if you are new to it. However, a more detailed, illustrated tutorial is included in my Basic Sock with Integrated Heel pattern.