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Withy Pot Socks - designed by Helen Birch for Stitches & Cream
 
The Withy Pot was a handmade fisherman’s trap used for catching fish, crabs and lobsters and were made using the traditional craft of weaving with willow. The pots had to withstand the wear and tear of the tide whilst being light enough for fishermen to lift and carry them in and out of the sea, hence the use of willow for the framework. The Cornish pot was quite different to other regions with a deeper curve at the top and spiral binding from the top to the base in an anti-clockwise direction.
 
The traditional willow pots began to be phased out in the late 1960’s and replaced with synthetic material pots made of twine and net. With a need for faster production and stronger materials the Withy Pot was considered to not be up to the job anymore as they had the usual life span of just one season before needed replacement or repairs, so were time consuming, and therefore expensive, to make.
 
But recently there has been a resurgence in the craft of willow weaving and fishing communities are keen to keep the craft alive so we hope to continue to see these lovely pots for some time to come.
 
We think the cables on the sock mirror the woven willow designs used to make these delightful pots. 

The Withy Pot socks are designed to introduce simple cable with and ‘Eye of the Partridge’ heel and spiral decrease toes.
 
MATERIALS NEEDED
 
100g 4ply sock yarn - We recommend a solid colour to really show off the cable pattern. Amble, Exmoor sock yarn or Riverknits would work well for this design. 
2.5mm Circular Knitting Needle 100cm 
2 Stitch Markers (optional) 
Cable needle 
Tapestry needle