There are color lovers and there are sock lovers. Where these two circles overlap, you will find Knitterly Things Vesper Sock Yarn. And dyer Julia Vesper has a gift for putting together the most gorgeous color pairings!

The pretties:

This self-striping base is 430 yards of 75% superwash wool and 25% nylon — perfect for a pair of socks. Julia makes her yarn in small, weekly batches: Each skein is hand dyed and every colorway is unique. They’re $28 each. And I’d like to argue that is $28 worth of happy for the coming winter months. Stock up while you can!

Pattern inspiration

Here are some favorite sock patterns to explore with your self-striping yarn:

If you follow Susan B. Anderson on Instagram or read her blog, you know her to be a prolific sock maker. Her “How I Make My Socks” pattern is free and the so-called “vanilla” (aka, plain) sock shows off striping patterns beautifully. She says she always makes her socks top-down, always with DPNs and always one at a time. Hey, if it ain’t broke…

Need toe-up? Afterthought heel? Check. The Vanilla Socks [Toe-Up & Afterthought Heel] by Carle Dehning touts itself as not needing to cut yarn and having additional stitches in both the heel and the arch. Also? It’s free.

I’m currently obsessed with the (yes, free) OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams, a toe-up OR top-down sock. Because who doesn’t love options?

If vanilla socks with stripes aren’t enough for you, add a little zip with Jaywalker, by Grumperina. This top-down chevron-y lovely is a freebie.

If even the chevrons aren’t enough excitement, the top-down Fruit Stripe Gum Socks are a unique way to play with stripes that will keep you entertained!