Lace Maple Leaf Socks (aka Canada Socks)

HeartStrings knitting pattern #S30

In my younger years, I spent many wonderful summers in western Ontario, Canada where my grandparents had a log cabin home on a pristine spring-fed lake abounding with natural beauty and wonders. Whenever seeing the Maple Leaf emblazoned on the National Flag of Canada, my memories of those happy times I spent in Canada resurface. These socks are a tribute to my northern neighbors. I hope you will celebrate along with me in this interpretation of the maple leaf in a textured lace stitch

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For these socks, I interpreted the maple leaf in a textured lace stitch. The yarn over's loosely define the outer edges of the leaves; the twisted knit stitches and decreases define the stem and main veins, and the knit-purl texture serves double-duty of further defining the interior of the leaves plus giving some resiliency to the fabric to enhance the elastic fit about the leg..

The socks begin with a pointed lace bias-ribbed border, symbolizing the ties that this self-governing country retains to the British crown. The ribbed border then transitions into a field of overall maple leaves encircling the leg. As a nice feature for wearing with open-back sandals, I designed the heel to transition back into the bias-ribbed pattern. If you prefer a plain heel, of course, feel free to substitute. The maple leaves are carried into the instep and taper to a point as the solid fabric of the foot takes over to complete the sock.

Sizing: women's medium (large)
Yarn: 335 (410) yards fingering weight
Suggested needles: US 1 / 2.25 mm; also needles 1 size larger for cuffs
Gauge: 8 stitches per inch with smaller needles over stockinette stitch
Pictured model: Crystal Palace Panda Silk, color 4011 Cranberry Tones
Stitch instructions: charted and written
Skill level: intermediate

For detailed specifications, see sample cover page of the Lace Maple Leaf Socks knitting pattern. Click picture to open document in another window. Requires Adobe Reader v7.0 or higher to view.

See more Sock Patterns in the Jackie E-S Design Collections.