INTRODUCTION

Plaid Whisper

by Anna Zhuravleva

Plaid Whisper is a cozy sock design inspired by classic plaid patterns and the quiet charm of deep fall evenings. The interplay of two colors creates a soft, mosaic grid that feels both timeless and comforting.

These socks are worked top-down, featuring a classic heel flap with gusset and a shaped toe for comfort and elegance. The mosaic pattern is created using simple slip stitches — easy to knit, but visually striking.

Socks are designed for worsted weight sock yarn, that emphasizes texture and warmth, making Plaid Whisper the perfect project for colder days. The heavier yarn not only highlights the structural beauty of the motif but also turns these socks into a truly snug and stylish accessory.

photos: Anna Zhuravleva

SIZE

Adult S[M, L, XL]

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Foot circumference:  7.75[8.5, 9.5, 10] inches/ 20[21.5, 23.5, 25.5] cm
Leg and foot length are adjustable to fit. Sample leg is 4.75 inches/12 cm long
Choose a size approximately 1 inch/2.5cm smaller than your actual foot circumference.

MATERIALS

Yarn
Lana Grossa Meilenweit 8fach uni [80 % Virgin wool, 20 % Polyamide, approx 315 m (344 yd) per 150 g];
[MC]9661 light Beige - 1 skein
[CC] 9566 Pine Green - 1 skein

Yarn Characteristics
The sample shown uses a worsted-weight sock yarn. This pattern looks best in a solid or tonal colored yarn. Choose a plied yarn with a tight twist. Superwash sock yarn with an addition of a little nylon will work best for easy care.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #5/3.75mm and US #3/3.25mm needles for small circumference in the round

Notions
stitch markers (optional)

GAUGE

22 sts/30 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch with smaller needles
25 sts/30 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in mosaic pattern with bigger needles

PATTERN NOTES

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

Construction method: Socks are worked top down, with mosaic pattern at the leg, heel flap with a gusset and shaped toe.
As shown, socks are worked in opposite colors, but you can make both socks similar.

Mosaic Pattern - Leg (worked over 4 stitches and 4 rounds)
Round 1: With CC, (sl 1, k3) around.
Round 2: With CC, (sl 1, p3) around.
Round 3: With MC, (k1, sl 1) around.
Round 4: With MC, (p1, sl 1) around.

Sl 1: Slip the stitch purlwise with the yarn held to the wrong side of the work.

Techniques

• Grafting photos and video

DIRECTIONS

For one sock work as per pattern; for second sock, exchange MC and CC.

Cuff
Using the Long Tail method and smaller needles, cast on 48[52, 56, 60] sts with MC.

Distribute sts across needles as you prefer and join for working in the round.

Ribbing round 1: [K1, p1] around.
Ribbing round 2: [Ktbl1, p1] around.
Repeat Ribbing rnd 2 8[8, 10, 12] more times.

Leg
Join CC and change to larger needles.
Leg round: Work Mosaic Pattern 12[13, 14, 15] times around.
Work as set to the desired length, ending with Round 4 of the pattern.
Break CC.

Switch to smaller needles. With MC work ribbing:
Set up round: K all sts.
Ribbing round: [Ktbl1, p1] around.
Work ribbing as set for total of 6[8, 8, 10] rounds.
Break MC yarn.

Heel flap (worked back and forth)
Turn to WS. Join CC yarn.
Set up row [WS]: P 22[24, 26, 28] , k1. Turn.
Heel flap will be worked over these 23[25, 27, 29] sts. The rem 25[27, 29, 31] sts are held for the instep.

Heel flap row 1 [RS]: Sl 2 wyif, (k1, sl1) 10[11, 12, 13] times, p1, turn.
Heel flap row 2 [WS]: Sl1 wyb, p to last st, k1. Turn.

Repeat Heel flap rows 1-2 10[11, 12, 13] more times. 22[24, 26, 28] rows in total.

Heel turn (worked back and forth)
RS facing you.
Heel turn row 1 [RS]: Sl 1 wyib, k 13[15, 17, 17] , SSK, k1. Turn.
Heel turn row 2 [WS]: Sl 1 wyif, p 6[8, 10, 8] , p2tog, p1. Turn.
Heel turn row 3: Sl 1 wyib, k to 1 st before the gap, SSK (sts before and after the gap), k1. Turn.
Heel turn row 4: Sl 1 wyif, p to 1 st before the gap, p2tog (sts before and after the gap), p1. Turn.
Repeat Heel turn rows 3-4 until all sts have been worked. 15[17, 19, 19] sts rem.

Gusset (return to working in the round)
Gusset set up round: Sl 1 wyib, k 14[16, 18, 18] , pick up and knit 11[12, 13, 14] sts from the edge of the heel flap; this is the end of the sole/start of instep, rearrange your sts or place marker as desired; k 25[27, 29, 31] , this is the end of the instep/start of sole, rearrange your sts or place marker as desired; pick up and knit 11[12, 13, 14] sts from the other edge of the heel flap; k 8[9, 10, 10] sts to the center of the heel. This is the new beginning of the round. 62[68, 74, 78] sts.

Gusset round 1: K until 2 sts before instep, k2tog; k across instep; SSK, k to end of round. 2 sts decreased.
Gusset round 2: Knit.
Repeat Gusset rounds 1-2 8[9, 10, 10] more times, until 44[48, 52, 56] sts rem. If you placed markers, you can remove them.

Foot
Work in stockinette st until the foot measures 1.75[2, 2, 2.25] inches/ 4.5[5, 5, 5.5] cm shorter than desired length.
Break CC yarn.

Toe
Join MC yarn. Work 2 rounds in stockinette.

First toe decrease round: K 8[9, 10, 11] , k2tog, k1; this is the end of the sole/start of the instep; k1, SSK, k 16[18, 20, 22] , k2tog, k1; this is the end of the instep, k1, SSK, k to end of round. 4 sts decreased.
Knit 2 rnds.

Second toe decrease round: K to 3 sts before instep, k2tog, k1; k1, SSK, k to 3 sts before end of instep, k2tog, k1; k1, ssk, k to end of round. 4 sts decreased.
Following round: Knit.
Repeat the last 2 rounds 1[2, 2, 2] more times.
Then work Second toe decrease round only until 16[20, 20, 24] sts rem.

Setup for graft: K 4[5, 5, 6] .

Distribute sts evenly between 2 needles ( 8[10, 10, 12] sts on each needle).
Cut the yarn, leaving a 12-15 inch/30-40 cm long tail.

Graft toe closed.

FINISHING

Wash socks, and weave in ends.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

My name is Anna Zhuravleva from Moscow, Russia. I'm addicted to knitting since my early age and knitted my first socks when I was 12. Till then socks, mitts and gloves are my great love! I have an engineering degree, so constructing the perfect fit for all my designs is a must.

You can find my patterns on Ravelry and Instagram.

Pattern & images © 2025 Anna Zhuravleva