DIGITAL ITEM Fancy Pigeon socks. Knitting instructions in English.

Fancy Pigeon socks
Pigeons have had quite a rough ride with people and for this at least, they deserve a sock pattern dedicated to them! Society used to love pigeons and kept and domesticated them. These birds’ homing abilities and high intelligence made them invaluable for delivering messages, particularly during wartime. The modern city pigeons are not feral; they descended from these domesticated birds that were no longer needed. Our forgotten and abandoned pets! So, these are for any kind, pigeon loving knitters and friends out there also obsessed with these birds.

Knit from the top down with a ribbed cuff, these socks include an Eye of Partridge heel (keeping with the bird theme of course!). There is a pigeon bird motif featuring only on the leg of the sock. Eyes and beak details can be duplicate stitched on if preferred.

Sizing
1 (2, 3)
To fit (leg circumference): 19.5 – 21 (21.5 –23.5, 26-28) cm / 8 (9 ½, 10 ¾) inches.
Finished leg circumference: 17.5 (21, 24.5) cm / 7 (8 ½, 9 ¾) inches.

To fit (foot circumference): 18 – 19.5 (20.5 – 22.5, 23 – 24.5)
Finished foot circumference: 16.5 (19, 21.5) cm / 6 ½ (7 ½ , 8 ½ ) inches

Recommended ease: Approximately 2.5cm (1 inch) of negative ease for colourwork.

MATERIALS
Yarn - Fingering weight sock yarn
MC: Malabrigo Ultimate Sock (75% Merino Wool, 25% Nylon), 384m (420 yds) per 100g.
and CC2, CC3 and CC4: Das Mondschaf Pegasus (75% Superwash Wool, 25% Polyamide), 420m (459 yds) per 100g
CC1: Lucy Locketland, Merino Nylon Light Fingering (75% Merino wool, 25% Nylon), 420m (465 yds) per 100 g.
CC2 & CC4: Moonglow Yarn Co. Merino Nylon Sock (75% superwash merino 25% nylon), 463 yds (423m) per 100g skein.
CC3: DROPS Fabel sock yarn (75% Superwash Wool, 25% Polyamide), 205 m (224 yds) per 50g.

Any fingering weight sock yarn can be used for this pattern as long as you obtain the same gauge.

Shown in:
MC: Wabi Sabi. Approx 50g (60g, 65g), 210 (252, 273)m / 230 (275, 299) yds.
CC1: Pigeon. Approx 20g, 63m / 69 yds.
CC2: Moonlight. Approx 12g, 63 m / 69 yds.
CC3: Rosa (102). Approx 10g, 21m / 23 yds.
CC4: Wintermint. Approx 5g, 42m / 46 yds.
CC5: Black. (scrap yarn)
CC6: Yellow. (scrap yarn)

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 38 rnds = 10cm (4 inches) for colourwork.