Knitted Socks with Fancy Cuffs

In this sock pattern from the May/June 2010 issue of PieceWork, expert knitter Nancy Bush borrowed this signature knitting stitch from lacy Estonian shawls. Here’s Nancy to tell us more:

The idea for these dressy anklets came from Marilyn Murphy. I had been thinking about how I could work Estonian nupps (in Estonian, “button” or “knob”—small bobbles) into a sock pattern, and she suggested putting them on the turned-down cuffs. In my adaptation of a lacy edge used on Estonian shawls, the nupps are pleasingly subtle.

Can you spot the nupps?

Materials

• Fibre-Isle Lovit Bison, 60% superwash merino wool/30% lyocell cellulose/10% Canadian bison yarn, fingering weight, 246 yards (225 m)/50 g skein, 2 skeins of #1133 Oatmeal
  
• Needles, set of 5 double pointed, size 0 (2 mm) and set of 5 double pointed, size 1 (2.25 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge
  
• Tapestry needle
  

Finished size: 6¾" (17.1 cm) foot circumference, 8½" (21.6 cm) from back of heel to tip of toe, and 7" (17.8 cm) from tip of cuff unfolded to beginning of heel flap, blocked, to fit a woman’s size medium.

Gauge: 18 sts and 24 rnds = 2 inches (5.1 cm) in St st on smaller needles, after blocking.

The pattern for these socks and other wonderful lace projects can be found in the May/June 2010 issue of PieceWork.

Also, remember that if you are an active subscriber to PieceWork magazine, you have unlimited access to previous issues, including May/June 2010. See our help center for the step-by-step process on how to access them.

Nancy Bush teaches knitting workshops nationwide and is the author of numerous books. She continues her fascination with Estonia and their lace knitting traveling there regularly, always finding something new to catch her attention.

Originally published July 3, 2018; updated October 17, 2022.