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Welcome to the 7th pattern in this series, dedicated to a delightful trip to Porto, Portugal! Prepare to embark on a journey through a beautiful and vibrant city brimming with countless activities. But the most enchanting part of the experience was the mesmerising tiles. These intricately designed tiles are not only a sight to behold but also make for fantastic souvenirs. With that in mind, these socks are a fusion of the stunning tile patterns I had the pleasure of encountering.

Check out the pattern deep-dive video on YouTube.

They are designed with a cuff-down construction, featuring an intriguing sole gusset and a well-fitting Dutch heel, worked in stranded colourwork for extra durability. Get your needles ready and set off on a knitting journey inspired by the splendid beauty of Porto’s tiles.

Difficulty: Intermediate.

Sizes: 1 (2, 3)

Finished foot circumference:

• 17.5 (20, 22.5) cm
• 7 (8, 9)″

Yarn: Fingering weight, depending on the length of the socks, allow approximately:

Main colour (MC):
- 185 (220, 260) m
200 (240, 285) yds

Contrast colour (CC):

• 75 (90, 105) m
• 80 (95, 115) yds

The yarn used in the sample (size 2) is 1 ball of Regia Premium Silk 4 ply Sock Yarn (55% wool, 25% polyamide, 20% silk; 400 m 437 yds / 100 g) in colourway Linen Mix (#005) as main colour and 1 skein of Malabrigo Sock (100% wool; 402 m 440 yds / 100 g) in colourway Primavera as contrast colour.

Gauge: 32 sts & 40 rows = 10 cm / 4″ in Stockinette stitch and colourwork in the round, blocked.

Suggested needles: 2.25-2.5 mm (US 1-2) circulars or DPNs for small circumference knitting or the size needed to obtain gauge.

Notions: Stitch markers, row counter, tape measure, removable stitch markers or bobby pins.

Techniques used: Stranded colourwork, knitting in the round, knit decreases, grafting.

Construction notes: These socks are knitted from the cuff down, starting with a cuff in 2x2 rib stitch in main colour. Then, you’ll join the contrast colour and follow the colourwork chart down to the top of the heel. For the heel, you’ll work flat in a chessboard colourwork pattern in the heel flap and then turn it to create a Dutch heel. The gusset decreases are cleverly placed in the middle of the sole rather than on the sides. Finally, you’ll continue knitting the foot in the round, finishing with a trapezoid toe in the main colour.