These socks use elongated slipped stitches and cables to manipulate stripes made either by a beautiful self-striping yarn or by making your own stripes with your sock yarn leftovers. They are knit toe-up or cuff-down (instructions are provided for both directions of knitting) with an afterthought heel and a twisted-rib cuff. The right and left socks are mirror images.

This pattern requires the knitter to knit a small circumference in the round (the pattern is method-neutral to suit your preferred technique for socks — double-pointed needles, magic loop/one circular needle, two circular needles, short circular needle, etc. — and it is possible to work the socks two-at-a-time, even on the heels) and clearly explains all techniques for increases, decreases, and picking up an afterthought heel. Within the pattern you will find links to useful video tutorials as well, so the pattern is easily accessible to an intermediate knitter who is just getting started knitting socks.

This pattern works best for self-striping yarns with wide, consistent-width stripes or stripes you make yourself. The key to making this effect noticeable is having high contrast between stripes; so, if you are making your own stripes with multiple yarns, I recommend planning consistent-width stripes that are at least 6 rounds wide and placing dark colours beside light colours as much as possible.