Occam's Razor
By Karen Martin Kepner Occam's razor (also written as Ockham's razor and in Latin lex parsimoniae, which means 'law of parsimony') is a problem-solving principle devised by William of 0ckham (c. 1287-1347), who was an English Franciscan friar and scholastic philosopher and theologian. The principle states that among competing hypotheses that predict equally well, the one with the fewest assumptions should be selected. Other, more complicated solutions may ultimately prove to provide better predictions, but—in the absence of differences in predictive ability—the fewer assumptions that are made, the better.
The problems or challenges that inspired the design for these socks were first, that I needed something with a simple texture to keep the knitting from getting too boring, but with a lot of stretch for a good fit for my Mom's feet since they were a gift for her. Second, a pattern that would not compete with the very fun speckled colorway of my chosen yarn. I resorted to this simple knit and purl motif which, in the end, is a stylized basket weave with minimal purling required. The band along the cuff looks to me like a row of eggs, so I'm putting them into the basket. pattern, but a set of charts that can be used to create your own socks, toe-up as I have done, or top down if you prefer. The charts will work in either direction. They may also be adapted to different stitch counts, though I have not done that here. Use your own favorite toe and heel construction. For the curious, I have offered a description of how the socks pictured here were made. But true to Occam's form, I've made few assumptions or prescriptions, only that you are familiar enough with how to knit socks that you can apply the charts to your own heart's delight in whatever way works for you. Enjoy!
Note:
The 12 or 8 stitch repeat is contained within the blue box. Use the extra stitch on the instep only to balance the motif. Borrow that extra stitch from the sole needle.
Stitch Glossary: 5 to 1 = slip 4 sts purlwise, knit next st, pass slipped sts over and off needle one at a time
The socks shown here were made toe up as follows. Yarn: Knit One, Crochet Too Ty-Dy Socks Dots Judy's Magic Cast On. 16 sts/needle, 2 mm short (16") circular needles Gusset Toe, increased to 72 sts Shifted one st from beginning of sole needle to end of instep needle to begin pattern for instep Began Leg & Instep Chart (12+1) on instep needle only, worked foot to desired length Mini-Flap and Gusset Short Row Heel with 6 sts at gusset on each end of needle Shifted borrowed stitch on instep back to heel needle and worked Leg & Instep Chart on both needles, using only the stitches inside the blue box Worked leg to desired length Worked Cuff Chart, followed by 4 rounds 3 X 1 ribbing 5 rounds stockinette Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off, purl sts only
