Lace Maple Leaf Socks (aka Canada Socks)

HeartStrings knitting pattern #S30

In my younger years, I spent many wonderful summers in western Ontario, Canada where my grandparents had a log cabin home on a pristine spring-fed lake abounding with natural beauty and wonders. Whenever seeing the Maple Leaf emblazoned on the National Flag of Canada, my memories of those happy times I spent in Canada resurface. These socks are a tribute to my northern neighbors. I hope you will celebrate along with me in this interpretation of the maple leaf in a textured lace stitch

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For these socks, I interpreted the maple leaf in a textured lace stitch. The yarn over's loosely define the outer edges of the leaves; the twisted knit stitches and decreases define the stem and main veins, and the knit-purl texture serves double-duty of further defining the interior of the leaves plus giving some resiliency to the fabric to enhance the elastic fit about the leg.

The socks begin with a pointed lace bias-ribbed border, symbolizing the ties that this self-governing country retains to the British crown. The ribbed border then transitions into a field of overall maple leaves encircling the leg. As a nice feature for wearing with open-back sandals, I designed the heel to transition back into the bias-ribbed pattern. If you prefer a plain heel, of course, feel free to substitute. The maple leaves are carried into the instep and taper to a point as the solid fabric of the foot takes over to complete the sock.

Sizing: women's medium (large)
Yarn: 335 (410) yards fingering weight
Suggested needles: US 1 / 2.25 mm; also needles 1 size larger for cuffs
Gauge: 8 stitches per inch with smaller needles over stockinette stitch
Stitch instructions: charted and written
Skill level: intermediate

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