Malvolio’s Yellow Stockings

When Heather asked me to design a pattern based on Twelfth Night’s aspiring nobleman, Malvolio, what else could I do but design a pair of yellow stockings? As Malvolio attempts to court Olivia, he famously cavorts in yellow stockings with crossed garters, believing that this will win the romantic affections of his employer. Unfortunately for Malvolio, he looks ridiculous. This modern interpretation of crossed-garter yellow stockings, however, will certainly be received with admiration. The front panel of the socks features a series of stacked Xs while the ribbed back of leg is centered upon a delicate two-stitch traveling cable motif. Toe-up construction with a roomy gusset and instructions for adjusting calf shaping to fit make this a highly customizable knee-high dignified enough to satisfy any nobleman (or woman).

Designer: Chrissy Gardiner

Finished Measurements:
Foot circumference: 7 (7¾, 8½)” / 17.75 (19.75, 21.5)cm
Calf circumference: 7¼ (8¼, 9¼)” / 18.5 (21, 23.5)cm
Leg length: 15″ / 39.25cm from top of heel flap (adjustable)
Foot length: 9″/ 22.75cm (adjustable)

Materials:
Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock (80% superwash merino, 20% nylon; 430 yds / 393m per 100g skein); color: Sunshine; 2 (2, 3) skeins
US #1 / 2.5mm needles (or size needed to obtain gauge) for small-circumference knitting: dpns, 2 circulars, or 1 long circular for magic loop, as you prefer
3 stitch markers
Cable needle
Yarn needle

Gauge:
48 sts and 46 rnds = 4″ / 10 cm in instep patt stitch
52 sts and 48 rnds = 4″ / 10 cm in leg ribbing patt stitch (unstretched)
34 sts and 46 rnds = 4″ / 10 cm in St st