Uptown Socks

Uptown Socks by Lori Franko

Project Overview

Uptown Socks are an intermediate-level knitted sock design featuring elegant cable motifs that travel down the leg like the cables of a suspension bridge. This downloadable PDF pattern from independent designer Lori Franko combines classic sock construction with decorative cable work, creating shapely, fitted socks that hug the leg from toe to cuff with structured ribbing.

What Is Being Made

These are knitted socks designed to fit approximately 20cm (8 inches) around the leg when slightly stretched. The socks feature a complete construction from cast-on through cuff, including heel and gusset shaping. The design emphasizes visual interest through cable patterns that create dynamic lines running up the leg, while the fitted ribbing provides structure and shape throughout the sock.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Cable crossing: The pattern incorporates cable work as a primary design element, with cables swinging across the leg in a suspension-bridge-inspired motif. The designer notes that only a few cable crossovers are required per round, making the cable work manageable for intermediate knitters.
• Heel and gusset construction: Traditional sock shaping techniques are employed, including heel gusset decreases to create a properly fitted heel cup.
• Ribbed cuff: Ribbing is used throughout the sock design to create shapely lines and ensure the sock hugs the leg securely.
• Three-needle sock knitting: The pattern uses a three-needle construction method, with stitches divided across multiple needles for circular knitting.
• Decreasing techniques: Knit-together and slip-slip-knit decreases are used for shaping.

Stitches and Abbreviations

• C4B (Cable 4 to the back): Slip next 2 stitches to a cable needle, hold to back of work, knit next 2 stitches, then knit 2 stitches from cable needle. This creates the signature cable crossover.
• T4B (Twist 4 to the back): Slip next 2 stitches to a cable needle, hold to back of work, knit next 2 stitches, then purl 2 stitches from cable needle. This creates a twisted cable variation.
• K2tog: Knit next 2 stitches together as if they were one, used for right-leaning decreases.
• SSK (Slip, Slip, Knit): Slip one stitch as if to knit, slip another stitch as if to knit, then insert the left needle into the fronts of the 2 slipped stitches and knit them together, used for left-leaning decreases.
• RS/WS: Right side and wrong side designations for pattern reading.

Materials and Tools

Yarn: The pattern calls for 385 meters of fingering-weight sock yarn. Fingering weight is a thin, delicate yarn specifically designed for sock knitting, allowing for fine detail work and a smooth fabric that fits well in shoes.

Needles: 2.75mm (US 2) needles are required for this project. A cable needle is also essential for executing the cable crossovers that define the sock's aesthetic. The small needle size is typical for sock knitting, creating a dense, durable fabric.

Tension: The pattern specifies a tension of 36 stitches over 10cm (4 inches) in the cable pattern when slightly stretched. Achieving proper tension is critical for the socks to fit correctly and for the cable motifs to display properly.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, this pattern is suitable for knitters with basic sock construction experience who are ready to incorporate cable work into their projects. The cable techniques are straightforward, and the pattern minimizes complexity by limiting the number of cable crossovers per round, making it an accessible introduction to decorative sock knitting.