These cuff-down socks alternate between four strands of yarn, allowing for unique, standout colour patterning while still only working with one yarn at a time in any given round. They have an afterthought heel and a twisted-rib cuff, both of which are worked in two-colour helical stripes. Mini-gusset shaping is worked in the body of the sock for a flexible heel fit.

This pattern requires the knitter to be able 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. However, when choosing a technique, note that on the leg there are cables around the entire circumference and the beginning of the round moves frequently. This may make some techniques more practical than others in that section. (On the foot, on the other hand, the location of the divisions between instep and sole are stable.)

Within the pattern you will find links to many useful video tutorials to assist you with the various required techniques, all of which are found in my Technique Video library.

This pattern works best if the four colours used are clearly distinct from each other. Note that, for a less challenging option, working the pattern in only two alternating colours (one as Colour A and Colour C, and the other as Colour B and Colour D) is also possible.

This pattern was featured in the 2024 Sock Madness 18 competition. Find more sock competition patterns here!