In Montreal, the chemin (“path” in French) Olmsted is a wide, long, unpaved road that leads to the Belvédère of the mont Royal, where the view over the city is breathtaking. Not very steep, quite flat even, during the summer — in winter it does not get cleared —, the chemin Olmsted meanders softly on one of the mountainsides. The mont Royal is not really a mountain: it is a big hill at the most, but Montrealers are proud of it. Although the ramble to the top is fairly effortless, it is far from dull. A good pair of socks and comfy shoes are an absolute must.

Knit from the toe up with optional contrasting toes, heels and cuffs, the Olmsted Socks feature an airy yet warm Thermal Stitch pattern on the top of the foot and the front of the leg, a Twisted Ribbing pattern on the heel and a soft yet hugging ribbing pattern at the back of the leg. The cuffs are worked in a k2 x p1 ribbing pattern. The pattern offers a method for the best fitting short row heel, and instructions for 5 adult sizes. The smallest size can fit a teenager’s foot. Instructions for contrasting toes, heels and cuffs are given throughout the pattern. The socks are knit using the Magic Loop Technique.

MATERIAL
Yarn: One skein of Fleece Artist Trail Sock.(355 yards, 115 g) (80% merino, 20% nylon), or a sock yarn with similar yardage and fiber content.
If you are using a contrasting color (CC) for the toes, heels and cuffs, you will need an additional skein of Fleece Artist Trail Sock in a contrasting color or at least 25 g of scrap yarn. In the sample, the Earth colorway was used as the main color (MC) and the Silver colorway as the CC.

Needle: 32- or 40-inch 2.25 mm/US 1 circular needle, or size necessary to obtain gauge.
Stitch markers, tapestry needle.

GAUGE
36 sts in Stockinette st in the rnd = 4” (10 cm).
26 sts in Thermal st in the rnd = 4” (10 cm).

SIZES
A (B, C, D, E) to fit a foot circumference of 7.5 (8.25, 9, 9.75, 10.5)“ / 19 (21, 22.75, 24.75, 26.75) cm.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
A (B, C, D, E): 6.36 (7.15, 7.95, 8.75, 9.54)“ / 16.15 (18.15, 20.2, 22.2, 24.25) cm.

Intended Ease: 1.0” (2.5 cm) to 1.2” (3 cm) of negative ease.