A Pattern from the Past: Baby Socks

The inspiration for these sweet baby socks is a dainty knitted pair of baby socks, most likely knitted in 1871, that are on display at the Museum of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.

Decorated with pink and green tulips, these socks are made from handspun singles yarn and demonstrate a great deal of skill in mastering color and purl-stitch patterning combined with sock-shaping techniques.

Materials: Brown Sheep Wildfoote Luxury Sock Yarn, 75% wool/25% nylon yarn, fingering weight, 215 yards (196.6 m) /50 g (1. oz) skein, 1 skein each of #SY10 Vanilla, #SY26 Blue Blood Red, and #SY27 Pine Tree
Needles, set of 5 double pointed, size 000 (1.5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge
Tapestry needle
Finished size: Infant
Gauge: 10 stitches = 1 inch (2.5 cm) in St st

Jude Daurelle of Tacoma, Washington, has been a frequent contributor to PieceWork magazine. She thanks the International Society of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and Nancy Bush for her help in deciphering the pattern and techniques used in the 1871 socks.

All items in the library are intended for personal use. Please do not distribute without written approval.