INTRODUCTION

Mural

by Susana Lobos Garcia

These socks are called "Mural" because they allow you to paint a surface with whatever colors you have on hand — in this case, yarn scraps from other projects. Like an artist approaching a blank wall, you can make these socks as neutral or vibrant as your personal style demands.

The inspiration comes from the spontaneous nature of street art and murals, where creativity flows from available materials and the energy of the moment. Each pair is a unique canvas that tells its own story through color combinations that may never be repeated exactly again.

The pattern features a simple yet versatile motif that lets you play with foreground and background colors to create different visual effects, giving each sock its own distinct character. Geometric patterns shift and dance across the fabric, reminiscent of layered textures on an urban wall where different artists have left their mark over time.

These socks are knit from the cuff down using a seamless heel-flat construction, making them comfortable to wear and satisfying to knit. The heel technique ensures a smooth fit without bulk, and the top-down approach lets you see your colorwork develop naturally as you knit.

Each pair is a wearable piece of art, as unique as the knitter who made it and as varied as the yarn stash that inspired it.

photos: Susana Lobos Garcia

SIZE

Adult S[M, L, XL]
shown in size S

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Foot Circumference:  7.25[8, 8.75, 9.25] inches/ 18.5[20.5, 22, 23.5] cm
Leg Length: 7 inches/18 cm or adjustable to preference
Foot Length: adjustable to preference

Choose a size with approximately 1 inches/2.5cm negative ease in the foot circumference.

MATERIALS

Yarn
Ultimate sock Malabrigo yarn [75% merino wool, 25% nylon; 420 yd/385 m per 100g skein; 84 yd/77 m per 20 g miniskein];
[MC] Whole grain #696; 1[1, 1, ] skein
[CC1] Azul profundo #150; 1[1, 1, ] miniskein
[CC2] Sunset #096; 1[1, 1, ] miniskein

Yarn Characteristics
For best results, use a wool/nylon blend with a plied construction to ensure durability and stability. For CC I recommended semisolid colors. This design is an efficient way to use up mini-skeins or leftover yarn. Each repeat of the main colorwork motif (6 stitches over 6 rounds) uses about 0.9–1.0 g of both the Main Color (MC) and the Contrast Color (CC).

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #1/2.25 mm needle for working on small circumferences in the round or for the size that is necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Notions
stitch markers
tapestry needle

GAUGE

36 sts/44 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in single color stockinette stitch and in colorwork pattern
Adjust needle size if required to match gauges.

PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

Construction method: The socks are worked cuff down in the round.

Tip: When working stranded colorwork, be consistent about exactly you hold the Main and Contrast colors (i.e. if you’re working two-handed, keep the MC in the same hand on every row; if you’re carrying both in the same hand, ensure you’re keeping the relative positions of the two yarns the same), to ensure that the fabric looks tidy and even, and that the prominence of each color is consistent.

CHARTS

DIRECTIONS

Cuff
Using your favorite stretchy method and MC cast on 66[72, 78, 84] sts. Distribute sts across needles as you prefer and join to work in the round.
Rnd 1: (K1 tbl, p1) around.
Repeat Rnd 1 9 more times.
Knit one round. Break MC.

Leg
Join CC1 and CC2.
Next round: Work Chart A around.
Work as set until Chart A is complete.
Leaving CC1 and CC 2 attached, with MC knit 8 rounds.
Next round: Work Chart B around.
Work as set until Chart B is complete.
Break CC1 and CC2.
With MC, knit 3 rounds, or to desired length.

Heel Flap
The heel is worked on the first half of the round, in garter stitch.
Row 1 [RS]: K 33[36, 39, 42] , turn.
Row 2 [WS]: K to end, turn.
Repeat Rows 1-2 15[17, 18, 20] more times.

Heel turn
Row 1 [RS]: Sl wyif, k 18[19, 22, 23] ssk, k1, turn.
Row 2 [WS]: Sl wyif, p 6[5, 8, 7] , p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 3 [RS]: Sl wyif, knit to 1 st before the turn on previous row, ssk (using 1 st from each side of gap) k1, turn.
Row 4 [WS]: Sl wyif, purl to 1 st before the turn on previous row, p2tog (using 1 st from each side of gap), p1, turn.
Repeat Rows 3-4 4[5, 5, 6] more times.

Last row [RS]: Sl wyif, knit to last 2 sts, ssk.
Last row [WS]: sl wyif, purl to last 2 sts, p2tog. 19[20, 23, 24] sts rem.

Gusset
At this point you will resume working in the round.

Set-up Rnd: K 19[20, 23, 24] sts of heel; pick up and k 16[18, 19, 21] sts along first side of heel flap; k across 33[36, 39, 42] sts of instep; pick up and k 16[18, 19, 21] along other heel edge. This is the new start of round; rearrange sts and place marker as required. 84[92, 100, 108] sts.

Gusset Rnd 1: K to 2 sts before instep, k2tog, k across instep; ssk, k to end. 2 sts decreased.
Gusset Rnd 2: Knit around.

Repeat Gusset Rnds 1-2 8[9, 10, 11] more times. 66[72, 78, 84] sts.

Foot
Setup: K to instep. This is the new start of round.
Work in stockinette until foot is approx 3.75[3.75, 4, 4.25] inch/ 9.5[9.5, 10, 11] cm shorter than desired full foot length.

Join CC1 and CC2.
Next round: Work Chart C around.
Work as set until Chart C is complete.
Break CC1 and CC2.

Toe
Make sure stitches are evenly divided between sole and instep; the instructions below refer to the middle of the round – arrange sts on your needles or place a marker so you can identify this point.

Rnd 1: K1, ssk, k to 3 sts before to middle of round, k2tog, k1; k1, ssk, k to 3 sts before end of round, k2tog, k1.
Rnd 2: K around.
Repeat Rnds 1-2  10[11, 12, 13] more times. 22[24, 26, 28] sts remain.

FINISHING

Break yarn, leaving a 16-inch/40-cm tail. Graft toe close.

To block socks, wash them and lay flat to dry. Weave in ends.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Susana is a scientist turned designer who finds joy in the art of handmade. She loves exploring color and texture, creating romantic and elegant designs with a modern touch. She has collaborated with several yarn brands, publishing ebooks that highlight her signature style, and her work can also be found on Ravelry. Through her newsletter One Skein Club, she shares her passion for knitting as a way to connect, inspire, and bring out the best in each maker.

Follow her on Instagram.

Pattern & images © 2026 Susana Lobos Garcia