Taos Socks knitting pattern by Briana Arlene
Taos Socks knitting pattern by Briana Arlene
Taos Socks knitting pattern by Briana Arlene
Taos Socks knitting pattern by Briana Arlene
Taos Socks knitting pattern by Briana Arlene
Taos Socks knitting pattern by Briana Arlene
Taos Socks knitting pattern by Briana Arlene
Taos Socks knitting pattern by Briana Arlene
Taos Socks knitting pattern by Briana Arlene

Taos Socks

I loved the colorwork motifs that I created for the Taos Shawl so much that I decided to translate them into socks! Fittingly, I started this project on another road trip through Taos, New Mexico, a town situated on the ancestral lands of the Pueblo people. For these socks, I chose a subdued color palette to represent elements of the region’s wintry landscape: creamy white of limestone outcrops; dusky coral of siltstone soils; ashen gray of leafless cottonwoods; muted green of sagebrush dotting the plateau; and black of midnight sky.

The mosaic colorwork in these socks is a perfect candidate for mini skeins or those smaller remnants of yarn that many of us have lying around in our stash. Work one colorwork motif or two to customize the length to your liking!

  • Design & Construction: The Taos socks are knit from the top down in sections that alternate between stockinette and mosaic colorwork. The heel is constructed with a traditional heel flap, turn, and gusset.

    Fit: These socks are designed to be worn with approximately 0.25 to 1 in. (1 to 2.5 cm) of negative ease. To pick the best size for you, measure the circumference of your foot at the fullest point (this is usually right where your foot and your ankle meet) and subtract 0.25 to 1 in. (1 to 2.5 cm). Make the size with a finished circumference closest to that number.

    Length: This pattern includes instructions for two lengths: half-calf and quarter-calf. Knit these socks with either one or two bands of mosaic colorwork to create your desired length!

    Stitch Patterns: The mosaic colorwork stitch patterns in this pattern are only charted, so you should be confident in your chart reading skills—or be open to learning!

  • SIZES
    (1, 2, 3)(4, 5, 6)

    FINISHED CIRCUMFERENCE
    The circumference as measured around the ankle and the foot is as follows.
    (6, 7, 8)(9, 10, 11) in.
    (15, 17.5, 20)(22.5, 25, 27.5) cm

  • YARN
    Light fingering weight
    MC: (35, 41, 51)(61, 71, 83) g/ (156, 182, 227)(271, 316, 369) yds or (143, 166, 208)(248, 289, 337) m

    Mid-Calf Length
    CC1: (11, 14, 17)(20, 24, 27) g/(49, 62, 76)(89, 107, 120) yds or (45, 57, 69)(81, 98, 110) m
    CC2: (9, 12, 14)(17, 20, 23) g/(39, 52, 61)(74, 87, 100) yds or (36, 48, 56)(68, 80, 91) m

    Quarter-Calf Length
    CC1: (7, 9, 11)(13, 15, 18) g/(31, 40, 49)(58, 67, 80) yds or (28, 37, 45)(53, 61, 73) m
    CC2: (6, 7, 9)(10, 12, 14) g/(26, 30, 39)(44, 52, 61) yds or (24, 27, 36)(40, 48, 56) m

    SUGGESTED YARN
    Manos del Uruguay Algeria (100 g/445 yds) – 75% SW merino wool, 25% nylon
    MC: 1 skein
    CC1: 1 skein

    Hedgehog Fibres Sock Minis (20 g/87 yds) – 90% merino wool, 10% nylon
    Mid-Calf Length
    CC2: (1, 1, 1)(1, 1, 2) skeins
    Quarter-Calf Length
    CC2: 1 skein

    All sample socks are knit in the colorways Sand (MC) and Black (CC1). The CC2 colorways are Clay (mid-calf length), Artichoke (quarter-calf sample with Mosaic A chart), and Stone (quarter-calf sample with Mosaic B chart).

  • US 1 (2.25 mm)

    You will need 30 in. (76 cm) circular needles for magic loop or your preferred needles for smaller circumference knitting (i.e., short circular needles, or double-pointed needles).

  • Measure gauge in the round, after blocking.

    32 sts and 44 rows = 4 in. (10 cm) in stockinette
    32 sts and 36 rows = 4 in. (10 cm) in mosaic colorwork

  • German twisted cast on, mosaic knitting, knit decreases, picking up stitches, grafting stitches together