Fair Isle bedsocks

These cosy bedsocks are worked flat on straight needles and use the stranded colourwork technique, more commonly known as Fair Isle. This is a great project for beginners as it is easy to see the motifs taking shape and there are no intimidating charts. Stranded colourwork creates a double-thickness fabric which makes these socks extra cosy!

Using 4mm needles and yarn A cast on 50 sts
Row 1: * k2, p2, rep from * to last two sts, k2
Row 2: * p2, k2, rep from * to last two sts, p2
These rows set 2x2 rib
Rows 3-26: work in 2x2 rib

Change to st st working incs and colourwork as folls:
Rows 27-29: inc one st at each end of each row. 56 sts
Row 30: p
NOTE: letter foll each instruction denotes colour to be used
Row 31: * k6B, k1A, k7B, rep from * to end
Row 32: * p6A, p1B, p1A, p1B, p5A, rep from * to end
Row 33: * k3A, k1B, k1A, k1B, k1A, k1B, k1A, k1B, k4A, rep from * to end
Row 34: * p4A, p1B, p1A, p1B, p1A, p1B, p1A, p1B, p3A, rep from * to end
Row 35: * k3A, k1B, k5A, k1B, k4A, rep from * to end
Row 36: * p4A, p7B, p3A, rep from * to end
Row 37: using yarn A k to end
Row 38: using yarn A p to end
Row 39: * k7A, k1B, k6A, rep from * to end
Row 40: * p4A, p1B, p1A, p2B, p6A, rep from * to end
Row 41: * k8A, k2B, k4A, rep from * to end
Row 42: * p2A, p3B, p9A, rep from * to end
Row 43: * k4A, k1B, k4A, k2B, k3A, rep from * to end
Row 44: * p3A, p6B, p5A, rep from * to end
Row 45: * k5A, k6B, k3A, rep from * to end
Row 46: as Row 44
Row 47: * k4A, k1B, k6A, k2B, k1A, rep from * to end
Row 48: * p1A, p1B, p8A, p1B, p3A, rep from * to end
Row 49: * k2A, k1B, k8A, k1B, k2A, rep from * to end
Row 50-51: using yarn A cont in st st
Row 52: using yarn B p to end
Row 53: using yarn A k to end
Rows 54-55: using yarn B cont in st st
Row 56-57: using yarn A cont in st st

Row 58: * p2C, p1D, p3C, p1B, p3C, p1D, p3C, rep from * to end
Row 59: * k2C, k2D, k2C, k1B, k1C, k1B, k2C, k2D, k1C, rep from * to end
Row 60: * p3D, p1C, p1B, p3C, p1B, p1C, p3D, p1C, rep from * to end
Row 61: * k1C, k2D, k1C, k1B, k5C, k1B, k1C, k2D, rep from * to end
Row 62: * p1D, p1C, p1B, p1C, p5B, p1C, p1B, p1C, p1D, p1C, rep from * to end
Row 63: * k2A, k1B, k1A, k3B, k1A, k3B, k1A, k1B, k1A, rep from * to end
Row 64: * p1B, p1A, p3B, p3A, p3B, p1A, p1B, p1A, rep from * to end
Row 65: * k1B, k6A, k1B, k6A, rep from * to end
Row 66: as Row 64
Row 67: as Row 63
Row 68: as Row 62
Row 69: as Row 61
Row 70: as Row 60
Row 71: as Row 59
Row 72: as Row 58
Cut yarns B, C and D and cont in yarn A only
Rows 73-74: work in st st
Work ten rows in 2x2 rib
Work 48 rows in st st AT THE SAME TIME dec one st at each end of 19th, 39th and 45th row. 50 sts
Next row: (k2tog) to end
Cut yarn then thread tail though rem sts, pull tightly and fasten off
Work second sock to match

Weave in ends. Sew up side seams LK

Click any of the images below to see a larger, clearer shot

To fit: average size ladies’ foot
Tension Square
20 sts x 25 rows
10cm x 10cm
stocking stitch
4mm needles