The Summer Solstice socks are knitted in a beautiful lace and cable pattern which makes me think of flower wreaths on midsummer eve.

The socks are knitted from the cuff down towards the toes. They are started with an optional tubular cast on which provides a stretchy edge to the cuff. The heel flaps are knitted with a reinforced stitch pattern for durability and the heels are round French heels. Instructions are given for modifying the gusset for a more generous fit.

The Summer Solstice socks look best in solid or slightly variegated colors for the stitch pattern to show in its full glory. The stitch patterns are adapted and slightly modified from Hitomi Shida’s Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible.

Size
1 (2)
Circumference 20 (22) cm / 8 (8.5) inches, to be worn with slight negative ease
Length adjustable

Yarn
275-320 m / 300-350 yards of fingering weight sock yarn

Sample: 1 skein of Säie Wool Merino sock (75% superwash merino wool, 25% nylon; 425 m / 465 yards per 100 g), shown in colorway Blackberry yoghurt.

Needles
2.5 mm / US 1.5 DPNs or circular needles with a cable suitable for small circumference knitting
Always choose the needle size that gets you the right gauge.
Note: if you are using mini-circulars, you might want to use DPNs or Magic Loop for the Tubular Cast On.

Gauge
30 sts and 38 rounds = 10 cm / 4 inches of Stockinette stitch, in the round after blocking.

Note: If you can’t match the gauge both across the stitches and across the rounds, choose the needle size that gets you closer to the gauge across the stitches.

Notions
3 stitch markers
cable needle (if using)
waste yarn for the Tubular Cast On
sewing needle
blocking tools (sock blockers)