In this article, I will tell you about Horta socks, the perfect pattern for beginners.
This is a pair of white ankle socks, knitted from the toe up without short rows or complicated heel construction, making it a perfect pattern for sock beginners.
But so that you don't get bored, this pattern is embellished with a little Kogin embroidery!
The pattern is available here in the shop, on Ravelry
Horta Socks, the essential pair of embroidered socks
1. The history of Horta socks
If you watched episode 32 of This Is Not a Podcast, you know that I went through a major phase of writer's block.
And to get back into design, I started knitting socks again, first an interpretation of socks Pullpy and then a pair of socks.
Because if there is one wardrobe essential, it is white socks.
But I didn't want to leave these socks completely white, I wanted to add a little touch of madness to them.
This is how I decided to add some Kogin embroidery that I discovered a few months ago.
2. The construction of Horta socks
For a long time, I suffered from second sock syndrome, the famous syndrome that prevents you from knitting a second identical piece, therefore a second sock.
I tried many constructions, from shank to toe, from toe to shank, short row heels, German heels but nothing could cure me of this syndrome.
And then I went back to the construction I had already used for the socks Space Socks by reworking it to offer more possibilities for wide or narrow feet or strong insteps when creating the Pym and Pullpy collection.
And miraculously, the syndrome disappeared!
Horta socks are constructed in the same way as the socks in the Pym & Pullpy collection, with a few small details that differ. These are therefore beginner socks!
They are built from tip to stem.
3. Details of the construction of Horta socks
To cast on the stitches at the toe of the sock, I always use the same cast-on method. I know some people prefer Judy's Magic Cast-On, but after many attempts, I prefer the Turkish Cast-On.
It leaves no excess thickness and therefore the junction between the front and back of the tip is perfect.
Then you will knit a tube that ends with a few increases to form the gusset and this up to the heel.
The heel is constructed after the fact so at this stage you will put the stitches on hold on a yarn over which you will remove when you have finished the upper and pick up the stitches to form the heel.
The upper is worked in the round like the foot of the sock and is finished here with a reversible jersey ribbing that you will close with grafting.
And you will finish with the heel which you will work with decreases and which you will finish like the ribbing, that is to say with grafting.
4. The Kogin embroidery that decorates Horta socks
As I told you in the introduction to the sock pattern, I wanted to introduce a little embroidery to give a little touch of madness to the socks.
My choice fell on Kogin embroidery, which I discovered several months ago.
I am not going to give you a full account of the history of Kogin embroidery because there is a lot to say, but here are a few words to introduce you to this technique.
Kogin is a Japanese embroidery technique derived from sashiko. It is also known as Sashi Kogin, Koginzashi (こぎん刺し) and Tsugaru Kogin. It is a type of counted-stitch embroidery originating from the northern region of Honshu and the Kyushu Islands (Honshu, formerly called Hondo, is the largest island forming Japan).
The name Kogin comes from Koginu or Kogino which is a short jacket sewn in the back dyed with indigo and decorated with linen thread embroidery.
Kogin embroidery gave this relatively lightweight jacket strength but also provided warmth by adding density. It is even said that the white embroidered patterns gave a delicate touch to the embroidered pieces because they were reminiscent of the snow that is common in northern Japan.
4. How to embroider Horta socks
How to read a Kogin embroidery chart?
The diagram is represented as a grid.
Each square represents a stitch (knitted in this case, therefore a V).
The horizontal lines represent the patterns you create.
In the case of Kogin embroidery on knitwear, you never stitch into the V of a stitch but between 2 stitches and in the holes between the threads.
How to proceed?
Kogin is worked horizontally in rows starting in the center of the pattern and then working from the center up and then from the center down (or vice versa).
The stitches are worked from right to left throughout the row (you can of course work them from left to right if you are left-handed).
Insert your needle at the marked point, from the back of the knitting to the front.
Leave enough thread to be able to embroider the other part of the design.
Start stitching on the left, counting the stitches and following the pattern until you reach the end of the pattern.
Once half of the pattern is completed, remove the thread from the needle.
Then turn your work 180°, thread the long strand of yarn you left hanging in the middle to make the other half of the pattern.
5. Where to find the Horta socks pattern
The pattern is for sale here in my shop, on the site Ravelry in French and English, available for immediate download.
6. The wool and materials needed to knit these socks
Suggested yarn is West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4 Ply (75 % wool including 35% BFL, 25% nylon) 400m / 100g Milk Bottle colour approx 200 [220, 240, 275]m (kits are available here)
And to embroider, I used Peregrine (100% Est-A-Laine Merino) 400 m / 100 g approximately 10 m Lichen color
The necessary equipment is as follows:
- 2.5 mm circular needle, 30 cm long or 5 2.5 mm double-pointed needles
- 2.75 mm circular needle, 30 cm long or 5 2.75 mm double-pointed needles
- A third needle of the same caliber for grafting
- 1 round-tipped tapestry needle for embroidery and weaving in ends
- 2 markers
- scrap yarn for the heel
7. Why Horta?
Finally, why was he named Horta?
I am a big fan of Art Nouveau and especially of the Belgian master Victor Horta. I absolutely wanted to embroider a gingko leaf on the back of the socks, the gingko is an emblematic tree in Japan but it is also a tree that is found a lot in Brussels and especially a lot in the typical architecture of Victor Horta.
Victor Horta was influenced by many things, three of which stand out: the work of Viollet-le-Duc, Japanese art and the Arts and Crafts movement.
One only has to visit his studio in Ixelles to see the extent to which Japanese art and its relationship with nature influenced his art and the dynamics of the curves specific to Art Nouveau.
I hope you'll fall in love with these socks and that this article will make you want to knit them.
If you feel like sharing any comments and feedback, please feel free to do so below.
If you would like to share this article with others, please feel free to share it via social media (just click on the buttons below).
See you soon,
Christelle
