Long I toiled to create a raven image that did justice to the noble bird, his stance and gravitas. After many weeks of effort I succeeded at last with a visage that struck me as lifelike yet still spare enough to embrace a simple knitted sock. Late it was, and despite the blurry vision that afflicted my tired eyes, I was satisfied after my seemingly endless task came to a close.

Not one to rest upon my laurels, I plotted out the agreeable image only to suffer crushing disappointment as I the chart stubbornly refused to conform to a standard sock size allowing for minimal stranding. More and more charting ensued and many designs were added and then deleted with increasing disgust. Stars, Scandinavian lice and even simple dots were considered and all found wanting. Even adding an inverted bird alternating with the upright bird was banal and not to be borne. I despaired.

In desperation, I simply laid out the additional blank space needed for two entire repeats around and pensively peered at it for an overlong while. Gloomy was my demeanor, matched with similar glum thoughts. At length I stirred and thought: after all—did this bird not plainly speak with a human tongue? Did it not utter a single word of such relevance, of such darkness-filled portent so as to make even a melancholy poet longing for his lost Lenore pause and wonder?

Indeed, it was so. Thus, I came to plot out “Nevermore” with many sidewise glances and squinting to assure myself of its placement and legibility. With two repeats on the leg, the croak Nevermore envelopes the Ravens whether hither or yon.

These socks are knit from the top down with a heel flap and wide toe. Both the heel and toe configuration can be altered without affecting the colorwork on the leg as desired. The pattern is given as a chart only. This pattern is suitable for intermediate knitters with some experience with stranded knitting. There are a few longish floats that will have to be diligently stretched out. To accommodate the colorwork, only one size is given for the leg. Knitters will have the choice, however, to work a M or L/XL foot.