Loapi

As the seasons shift from winter to spring, thoughts drift from cosy hand knits to picnics in the sunshine and the promise of summer. These socks were inspired by that feeling of lightness you get when the days lengthen and the spring flowers bloom, when sunny days bring a spring to your step.

Easy to knit, these socks are ideal spring companions. Perfect for knitting in the park as you lie back on a picnic blanket and watch the clouds drift by. Worked from the top down with pretty lace panels that are grounded and balanced with strong columns of ribbing. The heel flap is worked in a slipped stitch pattern for structure and durability and the gusset is neatly decreased under the foot creating a lovely snug fitting heel.

“Loapi le apogile” means “The sky is clear”. As soon as I saw this fresh blue, it instantly reminded me of warmer, longer days and happy summer memories. These socks are a celebration of that feeling.

The name Loapi means sky in Tswana, one of the eleven national languages of my home country South Africa. Spoken by 5 million people this language is also the national language of Botswana and is used in Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Materials

The Knitting Goddess 4ply wool and nylon (4 ply; 75% wool, 25% nylon; 400m/437 yds per 100g skein)
Shade: “Added Moss”; 1 x 100g skein

2.5mm / US #1.5 needles suitable for working a small circumference in the round
Four stitch markers
Tapestry needle

Gauge

32 sts and 44 rnds over 10cm / 4in of stocking stitch worked in the rnd and blocked, using 2.5mm / US #1.5 needles.

Sizes

S, (M, L)
Finished circumference (unstretched): 17.5 (20, 22.5)cm / 7 (8, 9)in
To fit foot circumference approx: 19.5 (22, 24.5)cm / 7.5 (8.5, 9.5)in
Leg from cuff to base of heel flap: 18 (19, 20)cm / 7 (7.5, 8)in (adjustable)

Loapi has been designed for the May 2016 instalment of The Blue Skies Club for The Knitting Goddess. This pattern is exclusive to club members until 1st August when it will be released as a single pattern.

For more information about the yarn club please visit The Knitting Goddess website.

Blue Skies Ebook

This pattern also forms part of the Blue Skies ebook, a collection of six sock patterns designed form The Blue Skies Sock Club 2016.

The ebook is available to purchase now. You will receive each pattern as it becomes available - details can be found on the ebook page.