Text: The Periwinkle Dragon Purple dragon eye with yarn ball and text: Original knitting patterns by Carolyn Lisle Text: The Periwinkle Dragon Purple dragon eye with yarn ball and text: Original knitting patterns by Carolyn Lisle
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Undulatus Socks

The Undulatus Socks are inspired by Balistapus undulatus, the Orange-Lined Triggerfish, a species of tropical fish from the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It varies in colour, but is most commonly a dark green or blue with orange or yellow stripes. This striped pattern is distinctive and encourages other animals to stay away from this aggressive and territorial fish.

Back view of red and blue socks with vertical stripes that create an abstract surface texture. Front view of crossed legs wearing dark green and bright coral socks with vertical stripes that create an abstract surface texture. Front view of red and blue socks with vertical stripes that create an abstract surface texture.

These socks use slipped stitches and simple cables to create the effect of one colour flowing over the other as the two colours are alternated every row in jogless helix-style stripes. Elongating the stitches to be slipped helps keep the socks stretchy and comfortable. The two mirror-image charts are interchangeable, so you can make these socks your own with any sequence you like!

These socks are adjustable in length and height. Worked toe-up or cuff-down (instructions are provided for both directions of knitting), they feature a rounded short-row heel in the contrast colour and a twisted-rib cuff. Corresponding written instructions are provided for the charts.

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. — and the socks can be worked two-at-a-time) and clearly explains all techniques for increases, decreases, yarn over short rows, cables, and elongated stitches. Within the pattern you will find links to useful video tutorials as well, so the pattern is accessible to an intermediate sock knitter.

This pattern is designed for a saturated solid or semi-solid Colour A over a background Colour B that can be almost any type of dye — solid, semi-solid, tonal, variegated, speckled, etc. — as long as it contrasts clearly with Colour A throughout its colour range.

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