It's getting noticeably warmer and lighter here in the UK and that means more time being spent in the garden. Now, I'm not a natural gardener by any means, I'm more into sitting in the garden with my knitting and enjoying the sunshine. But I do appreciate all of the hard work that goes into cultivating and maintaining a beautiful, blossoming garden.

And gardens don't come more beautiful than Monet's Garden in Giverny. Even though I have never been there (it's on my 'one day' list) I couldn't help but be inspired by the beautiful views and colours from photographs. And so here are the Giverny Garden socks, a new pattern which is now available to download from the website, Ravelry and Payhip.

About the Giverny Garden Socks

These sweet ankle socks were inspired by images of the paths and the rows of flowers at Monet’s house in Giverny. The socks are knitted from the top down, starting with a ribbing that incorporates a twist stitch. This then develops into an open lace pattern that creates columns of flower motifs repeating all the way around the sock.

The 4 row lace pattern is easy to remember making the socks an ideal project when relaxing outdoors, surrounded by blooming flowers and soaking up the sunshine. The end result is a pair of light, lacy socks, perfect for stepping into Summer!

If you prefer a longer leg of lace you can easily adjust the length to make a longer sock before working the heel.

The Giverny Garden socks are available in 3 adult sizes, and video tutorials are provided for the stitches and techniques used to make the socks. The socks are constructed with a heel flap and gusset to give them a nice, comfortable fit.

Skills / Techniques Used – Knit, purl, lace stitches, slip stitch, short rows, decreases

Sizes and Measurements

The sizes given are ‘to fit’ sizes.

• Small Adult - 8” / 20.5cm foot circumference and at least 9” / 23cm length from tip of toe to back of heel
• Medium Adult - 9” / 23cm foot circumference and at least 10” / 25.5cm length from tip of toe to back of heel
• Large Adult - 9.75” / 25cm foot circumference and at least 10.25” / 26cm length from tip of toe to back of heel

The size shown in the pattern photographs is Small Adult.

Materials Used

When choosing the yarn for your socks, I recommend looking for a yarn with nylon content or a high twist as this adds extra durability and strength.

• 306yd / 280m, 2.45oz / 70g of 4 ply sock yarn. The yarn used in the pattern is the Under the Olive Tree 75% superwash merino / 25% nylon 4ply yarn in the Cherry Blossom colourway (1 skein)
• 1 set of US 1.5 / 2.5mm double-pointed needles (or size needed to obtain gauge)
• 1 Stitch Marker
• 1 Tapestry Needle

Gauge - 32 stitches and 44 rnds to 4” / 10cm in stockinette stitch after blocking

Kits for the Giverny Garden socks are also available. And when you purchase the kit you get the pattern for free!

You can order a kit in a colour of your choice from any of the sock yarns in stock, or from the colours in the Custom Dye range.

Click HERE for more details.

The pattern was tech edited by James Bartley and has been tested by a fantastic group of test knitters!

Thank you Donna, Proby, Hazel, Claire, Sabina and Beth! Hazel and Sabina used contrast yarns for for the cuffs and toes which is always a good opportunity to use up any scraps. And Proby made a fabulous pair of mis-matched neon socks - aren't they great!

Yet another stunning sock pattern from Jemma. The pattern is reminiscent of garden paths through flower beds, I love them! - Sabina

This pattern has an easy to remember repeat with enough interest to make an enjoyable knitting project with a very pleasing result – Hazel

Enjoyed the pattern, and seemed to go quickly due to the stitch pattern used – Beth

A well written pattern. Very easy to follow resulting in a very pretty end product. – Claire

If you are interested in test knitting a future Under the Olive Tree Knits designs you can sign up to my Test Knitter Newsletter HERE and receive an e-mail when a new pattern is ready for testing.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you like the new pattern! If you make these socks do come and share your progress and photos in our friendly Facebook Group - Under the Olive Tree Knitters - I'd love to see them!