Knitted Tulips Colorwork Socks — EU 39 (Women’s)

Designer: Purl Jam. Website: https://purljam.verde.uk. Support: team@verde.uk. Socials: #purljam

Overview

Classic top-down knitted socks worked in fingering-weight yarn with a stranded-colorwork tulip motif on the leg and instep. These are sized for a European size 39 (approx. 24.5–25 cm / 9.6–9.8 in foot). The pattern uses stranded knitting for the tulips; floats are kept short and twisted when needed.

Finished measurements

• Foot length (finished): 24.5 cm / 9.6 in (from back of heel to tip of toe).
• Leg circumference (unstretched): 20.5–21.5 cm / 8.0–8.5 in (after colorwork tensioning).
• Sock circumference due to stranded fabric may be snug; pick needle size if you prefer a slightly looser fit.

Yarn (fingering weight)

• Main color (MC): 100 g (3.5 oz) — approx. 400 m / 437 yds per 100 g (use about 100 g / 400 m / 437 yds).
• Contrast A (Tulip petals - CC1): 20 g — approx. 80 m / 87 yds.
• Contrast B (Stem/Leaves - CC2): 10–15 g — approx. 40–60 m / 44—65 yds.

Notes: The yardage numbers assume a typical fingering sock yarn at ~400 m per 100 g. If your yarn is shorter, buy extra. You will need small amounts of contrast colors; leftovers from mini skeins or leftover scraps are ideal.

Needles (choose your preferred method: magic loop, 2 circulars or set of 5 DPNs)

• Main working size: 2.25 mm (US 1, UK old 13) 64 stitches in the round. Use 2.25 mm if you achieve gauge; switch to 2.0 mm or 2.5 mm if you need to adjust gauge.
• Optional smaller for ribbing if you prefer firmer cuff: 2.0 mm (US 0, UK old 14).
• Optional slightly larger for leg if your tension is tight: 2.5 mm (US 1.5, UK old approx 12–12.5).

Needle conversion summary: US 0 = 2.00 mm (UK 14); US 1 = 2.25 mm (UK 13); US 1.5 = 2.50 mm (UK ~12.5); US 2 = 2.75 mm (UK 12). Use the metric mm number to match your needles.

Gauge

32 sts × 42 rounds = 10 cm (4 in) stockinette in the round using 2.25 mm needles (approx. 8 sts/inch). Check gauge in stranded/fair isle section if you plan to change needle size: stranded fabric compresses horizontally.

Stitches & Abbreviations (US terms)

Notes & Fit

• This pattern is written for a snug sock. If you like extra ease, increase cast-on by 8 sts (add an extra repeat) and check gauge for colorwork repeats.
• The tulip colorwork motif is designed to sit on the front of leg and instep. Back of leg and sole are worked in MC in stocking stitch for durability.
• When stranded knitting, keep floats loose enough to avoid puckering; catch long floats by twisting yarns every 3–4 stitches or creating a small twist behind the work.

Special stitches for heel

Reinforced Slip Stitch Heel Flap: sl1 wyif, k1 across heel flap rows (slip first stitch of every row purlwise with yarn in front on WS rows) to create a denser fabric.

Pattern: Size EU 39

Cast On & Cuff

1. CO 64 sts with MC using your preferred provisional-long-tail or knitted cast-on. Join carefully, ensuring cast-on edge is not twisted. Place marker for beginning of round (BOR).
2. Work k2, p2 rib for 5 cm / 2 in (approx. 12 rounds) using 2.25 mm (or 2.0 mm if you prefer tighter cuff).

Leg (colorwork tulip band)

1. Begin stranded colorwork. The tulip motif is 12 sts wide and 16 rounds tall. Center the motif at the front: place BOR at center-back so the motif will be centered opposite BOR.
2. Arrange stitches so the front of the leg (instep front) shows one motif centered; back of leg is in MC stocking stitch. If you prefer two motifs around leg, you may cast on 72 sts (not covered in this one-size pattern).
3. Work rounds following the Tulip chart (chart provided below) repeat across the 12-st motif. Where the pattern says MC across the rest of the round, knit in MC. Continue colorwork for 32 rounds (two vertical repeats of the 16-round motif) or until desired length of leg is reached, ending at the same spot in the chart as you began.

Tulip chart (12 sts × 16 rounds)

Key: M = MC, P = Petal (CC1), S = Stem/leaf (CC2)

Cols:    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
R16:     M M M M M M M M M  M  M  M
R15:     M M M M P P P M M  M  M  M
R14:     M M M P P P P P M  M  M  M
R13:     M M P P P P P P P  M  M  M
R12:     M M M M P P P M M  M  M  M
R11:     M M M M M S M M M  M  M  M
R10:     M M M M M S M M M  M  M  M
R9:      M M M M M S M M M  M  M  M
R8:      M M M M M S M M M  M  M  M
R7:      M M M M M S M M M  M  M  M
R6:      M M M M M S M M M  M  M  M
R5:      M M M M M M M M M  M  M  M
R4:      M M M M M M M M M  M  M  M
R3:      M M M M M M M M M  M  M  M
R2:      M M M M M M M M M  M  M  M
R1:      M M M M M M M M M  M  M  M

Notes on chart: The motif is symmetrical and simple: Petal color (CC1) creates the tulip head centered in the 12-st panel; Stem (CC2) is a narrow column beneath the petals. In the written rounds above, most rows are mostly MC; only rows R13—R15 and a few rows around the middle contain CC stitches. Adjust contrast colors for your preferred look.

After leg

1. When the colorwork band is complete, continue in MC in stockinette stitch until the leg reaches desired length from cuff to the top of the heel flap (approx. 7–9 cm / 2.75–3.5 in from bottom of colorwork band to top of heel flap), or stop immediately to start heel if you like shorter legs.

Heel flap

1. Work heel flap over 32 sts (half the stitches). Transfer next 32 stitches to a holder for instep or keep on needle if using magic loop. You will work heel flap on these 32 sts.
2. Row 1 (RS): *sl1 wyif, k1* repeat across row.
3. Row 2 (WS): sl1 wyif, purl across.
4. Repeat Rows 1—2 for 32 rows (or until heel flap measures approx. 5.5 cm / 2.25 in). This creates a reinforced slip-stitch heel flap.

Turn the heel

1. Set up for heel turn on center 18 sts of heel flap (for traditional heel) as follows:
2. Row 1 (RS): k10, k2tog, k1, turn.
3. Row 2 (WS): sl1, p5, p2tog, p1, turn.
4. Row 3 (RS): sl1, k6, k2tog, k1, turn.
5. Repeat these short rows, working one more stitch before the decrease on each row until all heel flap sts are worked and you finish with a WS row where the final decrease leaves you with 18 stitches on the heel. Pick up the wraps as you go or after turning to avoid holes.

Gusset

1. With RS facing, pick up and knit 16 sts along one side of heel flap (approx. one stitch picked up for every slipped stitch), knit across instep stitches (held on holder) in pattern (if you worked instep colorwork, continue the chart here for the instep), then pick up and knit 16 sts along other side of heel flap, and knit remaining 18 heel sts. You should be back to 64 sts total.
2. Round 1 (Decrease round): Knit to last 3 sts of heel-side needle, k2tog, k1. Knit across instep. On the instep-side needle, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. Continue around.
3. Round 2: Knit around (no decreases).
4. Repeat Rounds 1—2 until you are back to 64 sts (you will typically do 4 decrease rounds total; check that the instep colorwork alignment is maintained).

Foot

1. Work even in stockinette (MC) on sole and continue colorwork on the instep following the Tulip chart if you want the motif on the instep as well. Continue until foot measures 2.5 cm (1 in) less than desired foot length (measure from back of heel along sole to the tip of the toe target).

Toe

1. Begin toe decreases (top-down style decrease sequence for 64 sts): Place 16 sts on needle for sole left, 32 sts for instep, 16 sts for sole right (or your 4-needles setup). On Needle 1: k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. Needle 2: k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. Needle 3: k1, ssk, k to end. Work decreases every other round until 32 sts remain (8 per needle if using 4-needle division). Then decrease every round until 16 sts total remain (8 for each side) or until 12 sts for narrow toe depending on preference.
2. Graft the remaining sts using Kitchener stitch for a smooth finish, or use three-needle bind-off for a firmer seam.

Finishing

• Weave in ends, paying special attention where color changes occur at the back of the leg/instep. Trim floats only if necessary; otherwise leave them on the inside.
• Block gently to relax the fabric and even the stitches. Avoid aggressive blocking that will stretch stranded floats; a steam or light wet block to shape is recommended.

Fit adjustments

• To make the sock wider: add 8 sts to the cast-on (one extra 12-st motif repeat would require larger design changes). Recalculate heel flap width to be half the stitch count.
• To make the sock longer/shorter: change leg length prior to heel and change foot length before toe decreases.

Care

Hand wash in cool water with gentle detergent. Lay flat to dry. If using superwash yarn, machine washing on gentle may be possible; check yarn label.

Tips for stranded colorwork

• Carry both yarns loosely across the back of the work; avoid pulling tight at floats.
• Catch floats after 4 stitches by twisting the working yarn around the carried yarn to secure it and avoid long floats on the inside.
• When switching colors frequently, drop yarns and pick them up behind the work; keep the yarn not in use loosely coiled to avoid tangles.

Sizing references & conversions

• EU 39 — foot length approx. 24.5 cm / 9.6 in.
• Needles: always follow metric mm for precision: 2.25 mm suggested (US 1, UK old 13).

Support & pattern terms

For pattern help, contact support at team@verde.uk or visit purljam.verde.uk. By using this pattern you agree to make finished items for personal and small-scale charity sale only; please do not reproduce the pattern for sale. For pattern support, post photos or questions to socials using #purljam.

Enjoy knitting your tulip socks — happy knitting!

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