DIGITAL ITEM - Packed Like Sardines knitting instructions in English

Packed Like Sardines socks are a playful tribute to the ocean´s tiniest swimmers, packed tightly together in a charming and easy to knit repeating sardine pattern. The fish on your socks will appear to be swimming together in harmony, with the sparkle in the main colour stellina yarn, reminiscent of the sun´s reflection sparkling on the water. You can picture the fish on your socks gliding through the waves of the deep sea! This pattern should help transport you straight to the seaside and will keep your feet as warm as a sunny day by the shore. These socks are perfect, whether you´re a beach lover, fishing enthusiast or someone who simply appreciates a quirky and quick knit.

Knit from the top down, with a ribbed cuff, these socks have a short row heel and an easy to knit stranded colourwork fish pattern in just two colours with no long floats to manage. The motif repeats throughout the leg and foot. The toe is finished by grafting stitches together. This pattern uses the magic loop circular needle method (but can be knit with 23cm (9 inch) circulars or DPNs).

Sizing
1 (2, 3)

To fit (foot circumference): 19.5 – 21 (21.5 –23.5, 26-28) cm / 8 (9 ½, 10 ¾) inches.
Finished circumference: 17.5 (21, 24.5) cm / 7 (8 ½, 9 ¾) inches.
Recommended ease: Approximately 2.5cm (1 inch) of negative ease. For your foot circumference, measure around the widest part of your foot. Further sizes can be achieved by going up or down a needle size.

Leg/foot length can be easily adjusted. See instructions for details.

Sample shown is knit in size 2 for shoe size US 8.5 (EU 39, UK 6), foot circumference 22.5cm (8 ¾ inches).

MATERIALS

Yarn - Fingering weight sock yarn
MC: Das Mondschaf Andromeda sock yarn (75% Superwash Merino, 20% Polyamide, 5% Polyester), 400m (437 yds) per 100g
CC: Madelinetosh Twist Light (75% Superwash Merino, 25% Nylon) 384m (420 yds) per 100g

Any fingering weight sock yarn can be used for this pattern as long as you obtain the same gauge. Please use whatever sock yarn you have available to you.

Shown in:
MC: Raven. Approx 50 (55, 60) g, 200 (220, 240) m / 218 (241, 262) yds.
CC: Celadon. Approx 30g, 120 m / 131 yds.

Needles
For ribbing and stockinette: 2.25mm (US 1), 80cm (32 inch) circular for magic loop, or DPNs, or two circulars, or a 23cm (9 inch) circular needle as preferred.
For colourwork: 2.5mm (US 1.5), 80cm (32 inch) circular for magic loop, or DPNs, or two circulars, or a 23cm (9 inch) circular needle as preferred.

Important note: Do check your gauge for fitting. Further sizes can be achieved by going up or down needle sizes.

Gauge
34 sts x 44 rnds = 10cm (4 inches) for ribbing and stockinette.
34 sts x 36 rnds = 10cm (4 inches) for colourwork. (This is the same gauge even though we are using a bigger needle size because for myself and many other knitters, we often knit the colourwork sections tighter than stockinette. Please check your own gauge to see if this works for you).