Country weekend socks - Madeline Weston

Virtually any stitch pattern can be adapted to socks, and the ones featured in Country Socks hail from all over the UK. Patterns include multicoloured designs from Fair Isle, intricate lace knitting and openwork from the Shetlands, textured ganseys from Cornwall, the east coast of England and the Western Isles of Scotland, and chunky cable and Aran patterns from the Isle of Aran. Many of the patterns, including Sanquar and Eriskay, are based on original designs dating as far back as the eighteenth century, passed down through generations of knitters. Traditional patterns have been reinterpreted by a number of leading designer-knitters, including Sasha Kagan, Jamie and Jessie Seaton, Rita Taylor, Sue Turton and Margaret MacInnes. Most of the socks are knitted on 4 double-pointed needles or circular needles from the top down; others are knitted from the toe up; while an intarsia design is knitted on 2 needles, with a seam up the back. The rich textures of the sumptuous yarns and soft natural colourways take their cue from the coastline and countryside rolling hills, woodland paths, autumn leaves, stone walls, heather, fallen logs, fishing boats, sand dunes, driftwood and beach pebbles. With both long and short styles in wool and cotton, there are sock patterns for every occasion to wear with sturdy walking boots, classic tweeds, light summer dresses and cosy pyjamas.