I love sock knitting year-round (they are honestly the best portable project and make any waiting time seem like no time at all, am I right?). Summer, though, is an even more fantastic time to knit a pair of socks because you don’t find yourself covered in yarn and more miserable than you were before you started knitting! This month’s Quickies project, Enchanted Meadow, is an exquisite pair of socks that are perfection for knitting this time of year. Pick a speckled and pair it with a solid tonal color and you are on your way to a fabulous pair of socks for your feet!

Enchanted Meadow is designed by Aud Bergo from Norway. With 50 years of knitting experience, this pattern is a magnificent display of stranded colorwork. I had a chance to ask Aud to share a little bit about this design and designing in general with us and I’m excited to share it with you all!

1: What is your favorite part of your Quickies design and why?

My favorite part of the Enchanted Meadow Sock is the waving pattern which reflects the quickies part of the design. It is worked over 8 sts and 5 rnds repeat that should be a relaxed knitting. In addition to that I must mention the flower on the gusset. This is the actual detail the complete sock pattern was made to fit around. In addition to this it is how well the pattern fit to a Malabrigo speckled yarn combined with a lovely solid color.

2: What should knitters pay attention to when working this pattern? Do you have any tips pr tricks that will make knitting this pattern easier?

This should be a straightforward stranded colorwork sock. Even if you are new to colorwork this pattern should give a nice learning curve. Pay especially attention to that stranded colorwork may pull in a bit and become inelastic without enough slack in the floats. When in doubt, make the floats longer than you think they should be. For floats longer than 4 stitches, twist the yarn not in use around the working yarn. 

3: What do you think knitters will enjoy the most about this project?

The most joyful part of this pattern is the flower that is worked on each side of the gusset. I hope that working a pattern on the gusset will be a unique new detail for the sock knitter.

 4: What does your design process look like?

My design process always starts with an idea. Then it's off to my stash and look for swatch yarn. Both colors and fibers that could fit my idea. Then the fun part starts –off to make swatches to see if the idea can be realized. I sometimes end up working a complete sock before my conclusion is that the design will or will not work. I have a lot of single socks due to this. While swatching, I take notes along the way. All the details must be noted. Then I can draft a pattern. Luckily for sock patterns there are always two socks. In this way I can do a first quality check of the pattern at the same time as the second sock is knitted.

 5: Was there any particular inspiration you had when creating this piece?

Yes, my inspiration was that I was wondering why there are hardly any sock patterns with a motif on the gusset. I was very curious if the reason for this was that it would not work. So, I’m pleased with that it was possible. The main challenge was however to have a simple pattern for the leg and instep that would work along the gusset detail.

6: What is your favorite color in Malabrigo’s catalog?

This is really a hard question because there are so many beautiful colors. For me it is especially all the purple tones, so I think Sabiduria is one of my absolute favorites.

7: What is the one thing you wish people knew about you as a designer?

That I have a lot of sock patterns and that my pattern writing gets better –pattern by pattern. My pattern might look complicated, but I hope the pattern is well written for everyone to be able to make a nice pair of socks. I put a lot of effort into making a design, so without supporting comments from those who make my patterns, I would probably not be doing it.

You can follow Aud on IG @softdesign.aud and the pattern is available here: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/enchanted-meadow (Ravelry Link).