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In Greek legend, the Goddess Thetis was the mother of Achilles, who was born mortal. In order to give him magical protection, Thetis picked up her baby by his ankle and dipped him into the River Styx. Achilles grew up to be a fearsome and successful warrior, but he was killed when an arrow hit his heel, where his mother had held him, the only place not protected. The heart and shield motif on the back of these socks symbolise Thetis’s attempts to protect her son and to defy his destiny.

I designed these socks after the death of my own son from a life-long condition. The story of Thetis and Achilles resonated and so I named the socks after Thetis.

Knitted from the toe up, they start with Judy’s Magic Cast-on, then after the toe shaping, continue in st st to the short row heel.

The heart and shield panel (worked from the chart or written instructions) is then placed at the back of the leg, before a k2, p2 cuff, cast off with a larger needle or Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off to maintain elasticity.

The pattern has been professionally tech edited.
This design uses Stitchmastery charts.

You will need
100g of 4ply or fingering weight sock yarn.

Also needed
2.75mm (US2) needles (80cm circular, dpns or preferred needles for knitting small items in the round)
One 3.25mm (US3) straight needle for Bind-Off (optional)
Cable needle
2 stitch markers
Tapestry needle

Difficulty: Adventurous beginner or intermediate
Techniques: St st knitted in the round; k2, p2 rib; make 1 knitwise; make 1 purlwise; slip stitch; cables and crossed sts; wrapped stitches; k2tog; ssk
Construction: Toe up; knitted in the round; short row heels
Yarn Weight: 4ply or fingering

Sizes
1 (2, 3, 4)
Sock circumference when knitted 17.5(20,22.5,25)cm
For a tightly fitting sock, first measure round your foot. Choose the size smaller than your measurement
Foot length is adjustable

Tension/gauge
32 sts and 44 rnds to 10cm measured over st st, using 2.75mm needles

Don’t forget to swatch first, to ensure you achieve the correct gauge.

This pattern is for personal, non-commercial use only. Photocopying this pattern and knitting this pattern for profit are prohibited. Design of garment, pattern, instructions, charts and photos are all © Anni Howard 2026.