Yukon River Stockings

It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is nearly upon us. The late autumn chill heralds the arrival of the latest missive from Interweave Knits, Winter 2018, for which I’m proud to have contributed 2 new designs. I’m pleased as punch to be included with such a talented group of designers!

Today I’d like to share a little about the Yukon River Stockings. Since this issue’s theme was rustic, north country knits, I felt right at home and drew on my Canadian childhood for inspiration. Does anyone remember snow days? They were magical days, so snowy that school was cancelled. We got a fabulous “bonus Saturday” during which we’d play outside until we got cold or Mom called us in for lunch. I remember loving the pristine snow where no boots had trod before. Such was the inspiration for these thickly cabled over-the-knee socks.

Inspired by the thigh-deep winter snowstorms that close schools and offices every winter, are the Yukon River Stockings, cool, white and fluffy. Thick, deep and enveloping, these cable-encrusted over-the-knee socks echo the shifting, drifting movement of the snow itself.

Knits editor, Meghan Babin (herself a contributor to this issue) wanted to create a wooly and rustic feel for Winter 2018, and so chose simple, classic yarns in neutral colors. For the Yukon River Stockings, Meghan chose Wendy Traditional Aran, a wonderful plied yarn with glorious nepps in orange and green. (Like peas and carrots!) They are worked from the toe up and feature the super easy Fleegle heel, one of my favorites.

The heel treatment was of particular importance for these very thick Aran weight socks. I wanted to be sure they could be worn inside a snow boot (my Sorels, for example) without bunching up. The Fleegle technique offers superlative fit in the heel and over the arch where the big cable is at its thickest. It also creates a very pretty shaping line along the side of the ankle.

If I every have the time, I’m going to make a pair in deep indigo that I can wear over jeans! On Monday, I’ll share the second new design for this great edition of Interweave Knits.

I’d like very much to thank Harper Point Photography for these exceptional images and to thank the stylists who put together such gorgeous looks. I’m so grateful to the entire team at Interweave Knits who are wonderful folks to work with.