These socks were designed for SKA Gradient challenge. Depending on color scheme chosen, they may count as fraternal (mirrored or in reversed colors), but please consult with the current definition of according SKA challenge.

Stranded pattern is inspired by Maple Quilt block.

Socks are worked toe-up and feature round toe and Boomerato heel (a hybrid of hourglass (“boomerang”) and Cat Bordhi’s “Sweet Tomato” short-row heels). Corrugated ribbing with partial patterning for the cuff is bound-off in two-color double chain adding a nice finishing touch.

Techniques used:

• Magic Loop
• stranded knitting
• weaving floats (optional)
• Judy’s Magic Cast-on
• lifted increases
• short-rows (any, pattern is written for Cat Bordhi’s “Thanks Ma”)

Yarn usage
A (orange-yellow-red-green): 145 yds (135 m)
B (dark green): 155 yds (140 m)
Actual yarn usage depends on a chosen color scheme.
Note: The pattern has a number, no, A NUMBER of charts to illustrate all the color schemes suggested; though not all the possible variations were charted. You’ll need only one page of charts.

Tip on yarn substitution
Solid, semi-solid or tonal colorways are recommended. In case of a gradient yarn make sure color progression will unlikely fall at the same shade; in the latter case it’s better to use two different yarns rather than two ends of the same skein.

Testers of a smaller version reported their socks from a yarn of a suggested weight came out rather tight at the hinge of foot, so you may opt for a heavy fingering or even sport weight for 54-sts socks, or light fingering or heavy lace for 72-sts socks to make a smaller size bigger.

Thank you to my test knitters: knittingall, dianne45, Tescamaru, Froufrou.