Hand-Knitted Socks & Authentic Kärntner Reindling

Originally published on April 7, 2025

A Warm, Inviting Scene

Imagine this: The first warm rays of spring sunlight stream through your window as you sit cozily in your favorite corner, knitting a pair of soft, colored socks. The air fills with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked Kärntner Reindling - a traditional treat that takes me back to my childhood every time I smell it.

Knitted Socks with Homemade Kärntner Reindling

Quick Links

Jump to a specific section:

• Childhood Memories
• Kärntner Reindling
  • The Original Recipe Debate
  • Recipe for the Kärntner Reindling
• Chicken Socks: Overview
  • Knitted Chicken Socks
  • The Latvian Twist Cast-On for the Special Details
• Chicken Socks: Pattern
  • Pattern Notes
  • Materials needed
  • Instructions
• Resources

Childhood Memories of Easter

When I think back to my childhood, Easter was always a magical time filled with love, laughter, and delicious food. My godmother played a central role in making these memories special. She lived on a large farm with her husband, two children, and in-laws, surrounded by animals and the beauty of Carinthian countryside.

Every Easter, she would bake the most incredible Kärntner Reindling just for me - stuffed not only with sugar and cinnamon but also with a shiny 20 Schilling coin hidden inside. And let’s not forget the enormous Easter basket she prepared, filling an entire box with candies, chocolates, and homemade goodies. After attending church together, we’d gather around the table for a festive meal, sharing stories and savoring each bite of her legendary Reindling.

Everything I made for this Easter celebration	Little Brioche Croissants

The Original Recipe Debate

Growing up in Carinthia, I learned early on that the true Kärntner Reindling is baked in a "Rein" (a traditional pot), which gives the dish its name - "Reindling". Traditionally, it’s filled simply with sugar, cinnamon, and perhaps a few raisins soaked in rum.

Over time, however, many people have started baking Reindling in Gugelhupf molds and experimenting with fillings like nuts, poppy seeds, and other ingredients. While creativity in cooking is wonderful, calling these variations the "original" recipe feels wrong. I still remember the sad look in my grandmother’s eyes when she complained how few people now use the traditional Rein or stick to the authentic filling.

It’s important to honor our cultural heritage and preserve the original recipes passed down through generations. That said, I believe there’s room for both tradition and innovation - as long as we acknowledge the origins of the dishes we cherish. 

Kärntner Reindling freshly baked

Recipe for the Kärntner Reindling

Now that I’ve shared a bit about the history and significance of Kärntner Reindling, let’s dive into how you can recreate this delightful treat at home,  so you can enjoy a taste of Carinthian tradition this Easter. 

The recipe I’m sharing is not my own - it was created by Miss Sieglinde Kohlmeier. You can view the original recipe on the website Mehlspeiskultur.

English Translation:

Notes :

• I use medium-sized eggs, and 500 g of flour works perfectly for this recipe.
• If your dough feels a little sticky, don’t hesitate to add a bit more flour.
• For yeast doughs, all ingredients should ideally be at room temperature or slightly lukewarm to ensure proper rising.

Ingredients :

• 200 g flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 60 g sugar
• 1–1.5 packets of dry yeast (or fresh yeast dissolved in warm milk)
• 250 ml milk
• 1 egg + 1 egg yolk
• 60 g butter
• A splash of rum (optional)

For the Filling :

• Raisins
• Cinnamon
• Sugar

Step-by-Step Instructions :

1. 1. Prepare the Wet Ingredients :
      • Melt the butter in a saucepan.
      • Add the cold milk to the melted butter and stir until combined. Let the mixture cool slightly, then stir in the eggs and egg yolk. Everything should be lukewarm - perfect for activating the yeast.
   2. Prepare the Dough :
      • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Create a well in the center and add the yeast (dissolved if using fresh).
      • Gradually add the butter-milk mixture and a splash of rum (if desired). Mix until a smooth dough forms. If the dough feels too sticky, add a little more flour.
      • Knead thoroughly until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
   3. Let the Dough Rise :
      • Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 45 minutes, or until doubled in size.
   4. Assemble the Roll :
      • Roll out the dough into a rectangle about ½ cm thick.
      • Brush generously with melted butter, then sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar mixture and raisins.
      • Roll the dough tightly into a log, shape it into a spiral, and place it in a greased baking dish. For a caramelized crust, coat the dish with sugar before adding the dough.
   5. Final Rise and Bake :
      • Brush the top with melted butter and let it rise again for 10 minutes.
      • Preheat the oven to 160°C (top and bottom heat) and bake for about 60 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
        
        

The Reindling after cutting it into slices, the filling is with sugar and cinnamon

Knitted Chicken Socks

Now that you know how to create the original Kärntner Reindling, let’s talk about the knitted chicken socks. This pattern was designed by me, and you can find the free written pattern, and the chart for the colorwork section, at the end of this post. I used Drops Fabel yarn for these socks - it was my first time working with this yarn, and I’m curious to see how they hold up over time.

For the blue flowers, I used leftover yarn from my Lacy Charms socks. The yellow chicks were made with Drops Flora, which feels slightly rougher on the skin compared to Drops Fabel, though the difference is minimal. For the green grass, I also used Drops Fabel. I’ll include the color numbers at the end of this post.

Little Chicks Socks	Which one do you like more the one with the duplicate stitch or the one without it?

The Latvian Twist Cast-On for the Special Details

To make these socks extra special, I used the Latvian Twist cast-on method. This technique is incredibly stretchy, easy to work with, and produces stunning results. Using duplicate stitch, I added the eyes, beaks, and feet of the little chicks. For one sock, I left out the details so you can see how the design looks without them, in case you prefer a simpler version. As always, I reinforced the heel with a classic heel flap, as I find it provides the best fit for my feet. The German short row heel tends to feel too tight for me personally. 

A close up of the Latvian Twist Cast on	Everything comes together really beautifully

Conclusion 

This Easter, we’ve had so much fun diving into two of my favorite things: knitting cozy socks to welcome spring and baking the delicious Kärntner Reindling - a treat that brings back so many wonderful and warm memories for me. These traditions aren’t just about crafting or cooking; they’re about celebrating creativity, heritage, and the little moments that make this season special.

Thinking back to those Easters spent at my godmother’s farm, I’m reminded of how traditions connect us - not just to our past but also to each other. Whether it’s sitting around the table sharing stories or gifting someone a pair of hand-knitted socks, these small acts carry so much love and meaning.

Now, I’d love for you to join in! Grab your needles and yarn and knit your own Easter-themed socks - or head to the kitchen and bake your very own Kärntner Reindling. Trust me, there’s nothing quite like the smell of cinnamon filling your home as the Reindling bakes. If you give either of these a go, please share your creations with me! Even though I deleted my Instagram account, you are always welcome to write me an Email or leave a comment down below!

I wish you all a warm and joyful Easter, filled with laughter, creativity, and maybe a slice (or two) of freshly baked goodness. 

Until then, happy knitting, happy baking, and most importantly, happy Easter! (scroll down for the pattern)

A handcrafted Easter bunny decoration I made with my children

Easter-Themed Chicken Socks Pattern

A Free Knitting Pattern by Sarah from Yarn Enchantment

Pattern Notes

• Stitch Count : 64 stitches.
• Needles :
  • 2.5 mm for ribbing.
  • 3.5 mm for colorwork.
  • 3.0 mm for the rest of the sock.
• Sizing :
  • Fits European shoe sizes 39–41 (US women's sizes 8–10).
  • Adjust size by using smaller or larger needles to go down or up by approximately 1 shoe size.
• Gauge :
  • With 3.0 mm needles: 31 sts and 40 rows = 10 cm (4 inches).
  • Colorwork section with 3.5 mm needles: 30 sts in 10 cm (4 inches) and 30 rows in 8.5 cm (3.35 inches).

Materials needed

Yarn Details

• Yarn Weight : 4-ply fingering weight yarn.
• Colors Needed :
  • Main Color (MC) : For the base of the sock.
  • Contrasting Colors (CC) : For the colorwork design.

What I Used :

• 100 g Drops Fabel Nature (Color 121) – Main color for the sock body.
• 50 g Drops Fabel Apple Green (Color 112) – Contrasting color for the green grass.
• 50 g Drops Flora Yellow Mix (Color 17) – Contrasting color for the yellow chicks.

Note: For the blue flowers, I used leftover yarn from my Lacy Charms Socks. You can substitute these yarns with any 4-ply fingering weight yarn in colors of your choice. Just ensure all yarns have a similar weight and fiber content for consistent tension. 

What you also need: 

• Double-pointed needles (DPNs) or circular needles for magic loop/9-inch circulars.
• Stitch markers.
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Instructions

Cast On:

1. Cast on 64 stitches using the long-tail cast-on method , holding two needles together to make the edge stretchier. Alternatively, use the Latvian Twist cast-on for a decorative edge.
2. Distribute stitches evenly across DPNs or use your preferred method (e.g., magic loop or 9-inch circular needles).
3. Join in the round, ensuring no twists.

Ribbing

• Work 6 cm (approximately 2.5 inches) in 2x2 ribbing (k2, p2).
• Switch to 3.5 mm needles for the next section.

Colorwork Section

1. Begin working the colorwork chart provided below. The chart is designed for 64 stitches.
   • Follow the chart row by row, switching colors as indicated.
   • Read the chart from right to left, bottom to top.
2. After completing the colorwork chart, switch back to 3.0 mm needles.
3. Work 3–5 rows in plain stockinette stitch (knit every stitch) before starting the heel.

Chart:

Heel Flap

• The heel is worked on half the stitches (32 sts).

1. Row 1 (RS) : K2, *slip 1 stitch purlwise, k1; repeat from * until the last two stitches, then k2.
2. Row 2 (WS) : K2, purl all stitches until two stitches remain, then k2.
3. Repeat these two rows 16 times for a total of 32 rows .

Heel Turn

1. Row 1 (RS) : Slip 1 stitch, knit 1 stitch, slip 1 stitch, repeating until 10 stitches remain. Decrease with an SSK , and turn your work.
2. Row 2 (WS) : Slip 1 stitch, purl 7 stitches, decrease with a p2tog , and turn your work.
3. Row 3 (RS) : Slip 1 stitch, knit in pattern to one stitch before the gap, decrease with an SSK , and turn your work.
4. Row 4 (WS) : Slip 1 stitch, purl to one stitch before the gap, decrease with a p2tog , and turn your work.
5. Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until all stitches from both sides have been worked.

Gusset Pickup

1. Knit across the heel stitches and pick up 16 gusset stitches along the side of the heel flap.
   • To close gaps, pick up an extra stitch in the ladder between rows if needed.
2. Knit across the instep stitches (the top of the foot).
3. Pick up another 16 gusset stitches along the other side of the heel flap.
4. Knit to the end of the round.
5. Before beginning decreases, knit one round in stockinette stitch.

Gusset Decrease

1. Round 1 :
   • Needle 1: Knit until 2 stitches remain, then k2tog .
   • Needle 2: Knit all stitches.
   • Needle 3: Knit all stitches.
   • Needle 4: Slip 1 stitch knitwise, knit 1, pass the slipped stitch over (psso).
2. Round 2 : Knit all stitches.
3. Repeat these two rounds until you’ve returned to your original stitch count (64 stitches).

Foot

1. Continue knitting the foot in stockinette stitch until the sock measures approximately 18–20 cm (7–8 inches) from the back of the heel, or until it reaches the base of your toes.
   • The sizing chart below provides the full foot length. The decreases are about 5 cm, so you have to subtract 5 cm from the approximate foot length.

Wedge Toe

1. Round 1 :
   • Needle 1: Knit until 3 stitches before the marker, then k2tog, k1 .
   • Needle 2: K1, SSK , knit to the end of the needle.
   • Needle 3: Knit until 3 stitches before the marker, then k2tog, k1 .
   • Needle 4: K1, SSK , knit to the end of the needle.
2. Round 2 : Knit all stitches.
3. Repeat these two rounds until you’ve reduced the number of stitches on each needle by half.
4. Work Round 1 only until you have approximately 3 or 4 stitches on each of the four needles (6 or 8 stitches left on each of the two needles).
5. Graft the remaining stitches together using the Kitchener stitch .
   
   

Finishing

1. Weave in all ends using a tapestry needle.
2. Add the details like the eyes, beak and feets with the duplicate stitch. 
3. Block your socks lightly to even out the stitches and enhance the colorwork design.

Final Thoughts

Thank you so much for knitting along with me! I hope you enjoy making these Easter-themed socks as much as I enjoyed designing them. If you have any questions or need help, feel free to leave a comment below or write me an E-mail - I’d love to see your finished socks! Happy knitting! 😊

Resources

• Colorwork Chart: [Download PDF here]
• Latvian Twist Cast-On Tutorial: [Watch Video here]
• Kitchener Stitch Tutorial: [Watch Video here]
• SSK/Psso: [Watch Video here]
• K2tog: [Watch Video here]
• Longtail Cast-on: [Watch Video here]
• P2tog: [Watch Video here]

A Little Way to Say Thanks