Knitting the Rockies: A Cozy Cabled Sock Pattern

As we continue our tribute to museums around the world, we're excited to share designer Anna Daku's pattern for a fabulous pair of knitted socks inspired by her trip to a wilderness museum in Canada. We really can find textile collections everywhere, just waiting to delight and inspire us. Read Anna's story and then download her pattern from the PieceWork Library to knit your own piece of the Rockies. —Karen Elting Brock

A Mountain Lovers' Socks

The Whyte is a small, independently run museum nestled in the Rocky Mountains in Banff, Alberta, Canada. It began through a foundation established in 1958 by Catharine and Peter Whyte, who were residents of Banff, mountain lovers, and artists. The couple were avid skiers and used wool clothing to keep warm on snowy outings. Catharine was a prolific knitter, and the museum holds sample socks she knitted for her husband.

The inspiration socks on display in the Whyte Museum. Photo by Anna Daku, courtesy of the Whyte Museum

My sock pattern is inspired by an outfit I saw on display at the museum that includes a pair of socks based on a pair she knitted, now preserved in the museum’s archives. Although it is not clear where Catharine may have purchased the wool yarn for these socks, I chose a yarn produced in a mill local to Banff, which sources Canadian wool for its yarns.

These socks are worked top down in a simple cable and ribbing pattern. The tight gauge and cable pattern ensures the socks will wear well, whether you are adventuring through the mountains or in an urban landscape. Enjoy them!

All Access Subscribers can download the Mountain Warmth Socks pattern from the PieceWork Library

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