Icarus

Prepare for knitting pleasure akin to the joy Icarus felt when Daedalus bestowed wings upon him, opening new horizons. Within this delightful sock pattern, small wings gracefully ascend the sides of each foot, a whimsical nod to Icarus’s legendary flight. Now, as you embark on your knitting journey, exercise caution not to soar too close to the sun or descend too low.

Adhering to the wisdom shared by Diodorus Siculus in “The Library of History,” remember Icarus’s lesson: “Take care to fly halfway between the sun and the sea. If you fly too high, the sun’s heat will melt the wax that binds your wings. If you fly too low, the sea’s mist will dampen the feathers that give you lift. Instead, aim for the middle course and avoid extremes.” These words resonate with the essence of this pattern, inviting you to embrace balance and mindfulness in your creative endeavor.

Worked in the round, Icarus contains both cuff-down and toe-up written directions and a chart for the pattern stitch. The pattern has instructions for a peasant heel (afterthought heel using scrap yarn), but you may substitute whatever heel you enjoy using (links included for alternatives).

The pattern is written for the magic loop method for knitting socks; however, the design could be worked on double-pointed needles or mini-circulars instead should you prefer (ensure you denote your instep stitches with extra markers—so you don’t miss the placement of the heel or toe shaping).