Ribonacci Sock Pattern

This sock is constructed from the top down with a short row heel and toe. The ribbing and stripe pattern are inspired by the Fibonacci sequence. The cuff, heel and toe are worked in a main color, and the contrast color is paired with the main color for the striped leg and foot.


Materials

Needles: Set of 4 doublepointed needles, size 2 (or size needed to obtain gauge

Tapestry needle


Yarn: Any sock/fingering weight yarn will work for this pattern. Sample shown uses Schachenmayr Nomotta Micro Bamboo. Solid colors show off the stripe pattern best, but you could experiment with a solid main color and a contrast color in a complementary variegated colorway.

Main color (MC): 2 skeins (about 300 yards)

Contrasting color (CC): 1 skein (about 200 yards)


Gauge: 8 stitches per inch in Rib pattern


Size: Women’s medium


Pattern notes

Rib pattern, over 8 stitches: *K1, P1, K2, P1, K1, P2*


Stripe sequence, over 24 rows:

Row 1: CC

Row 2: MC

Rows 3-4: CC

Rows 5-7: MC

Row 8-12: CC

Row 13: MC

Row 14: CC

Rows 15-16: MC

Rows 17-19: CC

Rows 20-24: MC


Cuff

Using long tail cast on and MC, cast on 64 stitches. Join to work in the round, taking care not to twist stitches. Arrange on three double-pointed needles as follows:

Needle 1: 16 stitches

Needle 2: 16 stitches

Needle 3: 32 stitches


Work K1, P1 ribbing for 12 rounds (or desired cuff length).


Leg

Leg is worked in the rib pattern (*K1, P1, K2, P1, K1, P2*, repeat to end of round) and stripe sequence (see above). Note that stripe sequence begins with CC. When changing colors, bring the new color up from beneath the current color. Hold the color not in use behind the work. To neaten floats, wrap unused color around the active color on rows 6, 10, 18, and 22. Work rows 1-24 of stripe sequence twice. Work rows 1-6 of stripe sequence once more.

Heel

Heel is worked on the 32 stitches on Needle 3, using MC. The stitches on Needles 1 and 2 form the instep and will rest while the heel is fashioned. The contract color also rests during this time.


Begin by unknitting the last stitch on Needle 3, and place on free needle. Turn the work.


Row 1 (WS): P30, turn.

Row 2 (RS): K29, turn.

Row 3: P28, turn.

Row 4: K27, turn.

Row 5: P26, turn.

Continue in this manner, working one fewer stitch each row, until there are 14 stitches unworked in the center of the needle.

Next Row (RS): K14, slip 1, yarn forward, place slipped stitch back on left needle and turn.

Next Row (WS): P14, slip 1, yarn back, place slipped stitch back on left needle and turn.

Next Row: K15, wrap and turn.

Next Row: P16, wrap and turn.

Continue in this manner until all stitches have been worked.


Foot

Resume the stripe sequence for the foot and continue in pattern as set (rib pattern for instep stitches and stockinette for bottom of foot). Work rows 7-24 of the stripe sequence, then work rows 1-24 of the stripe sequence. Work rows 1-12 of stripe sequence once more. Break yarn of CC ONLY – main color is used for toe.


Toe


Toe is worked on the 32 stitches on Needle 3, using MC. The stitches on Needles 1 and 2 will rest while the heel is fashioned.


Begin by unknitting the last stitch on Needle 3, and place on free needle. Turn the work.


Row 1 (WS): P30, turn.

Row 2 (RS): K29, turn.

Row 3: P28, turn.

Row 4: K27, turn.

Row 5: P26, turn.

Continue in this manner, working one fewer stitch each row, until there are 14 stitches unworked in the center of the needle.

Next Row (RS): K14, slip 1, yarn forward, place slipped stitch back on left needle and turn.

Next Row (WS): P14, slip 1, yarn back, place slipped stitch back on left needle and turn.

Next Row: K15, wrap and turn.

Next Row: P16, wrap and turn.

Continue in this manner until all stitches have been worked.


Finishing


Turn sock inside out. Slip stitches from Needle 2 to Needle 1. Use three needle bindoff and MC to join stitches on needles 3 and 1. Break yarn. Weave in ends.


Variations
Make symmetrical socks by reversing the rib pattern for the second sock as follows: *P2, K1, P1, K2, P1, K1*


Make “negative image” socks and use only two skeins of yarn by reversing the MC and CC for the second sock.