August Tweed

August Tweed Socks by Fatimah Hinds

What is Being Made

August Tweed is an advanced knitting pattern for women's socks designed by Fatimah Hinds. The pattern offers three sizes: women narrow, women's wide, and an intermediate width option. The finished circumference ranges from 7 inches to 9 inches, accommodating different foot widths. These socks are designed to be worn with negative ease, meaning they should fit snugly against the foot for optimal comfort and performance.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This advanced sock pattern employs several sophisticated knitting techniques suited to experienced crafters. The socks are constructed using either three double-pointed needles (DPNs) or a single long circular needle with the Magic Loop method, offering flexibility in construction preferences. The pattern includes detailed left and right sock instructions, requiring careful attention to directional shaping. The construction features an afterthought heel, though knitters are encouraged to substitute alternative heel techniques if preferred. The pattern uses stockinette stitch as the primary fabric base, creating a smooth, refined finish typical of quality sock construction.

Stitches and Stitch Work

The primary stitch used throughout August Tweed is stockinette stitch, which creates the characteristic smooth V-pattern texture on the right side of the fabric. The pattern begins with a cast-on of 12 to 18 stitches depending on size, followed by stockinette rows that establish the sock's foundation. The gauge is worked at 34 stitches and 48 rounds per 4 inches in stockinette stitch, which is a tight gauge appropriate for durable sock fabric. The pattern requires the use of a cable needle for more complex stitch manipulations and stitch markers to track pattern repeats and construction sections.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

August Tweed is designed for 4-ply weight yarn with specific fiber content recommendations. The pattern calls for Phoenix Fiber Co Tweed Sock yarn, which consists of 85% Superwash Merino and 15% nep fiber. This blend provides durability, elasticity, and easy care characteristics essential for sock longevity. One 100-gram skein provides 438 yards of yarn, sufficient yardage for completing a pair of socks. The recommended needles are US 1 or 2.5mm, available in double-pointed or long circular formats. Additional notions include a darning needle for weaving in ends and finishing, a row counter for tracking progress through the pattern sections, and stitch markers for maintaining pattern accuracy.

Pattern Notes and Considerations

Knitters should note that the finished measurements may appear narrow compared to standard sock patterns, but this is intentional design. The negative ease construction ensures proper fit and prevents sagging during wear. The pattern provides comprehensive instructions for three-DPN construction but can be easily adapted for long circular needle knitting using the Magic Loop technique. Left and right sock instructions are included separately, so careful pattern reading is essential to avoid errors. The afterthought heel method is featured in the instructions, though alternative heel techniques suitable for sock construction can be substituted based on individual preference and experience.