Back to Basics: Socks – For every newbie out there who dares to take up the challenge, this beginner-friendly sock pattern has got you covered.
Worked in the round from the cuff-down, this versatile sock pattern offers a seamless knitting experience. While the pattern comes with instructions for a peasant heel (afterthought heel using scrap yarn), it’s adaptable to your personal preferences and unique feet. We’ve even included links to alternative heel techniques, so you can choose the one that brings you the most joy in your knitting journey and fits your feet.
With multiple sizes thoughtfully incorporated, you can easily achieve the perfect fit for yourself or for the lucky recipient of your handcrafted socks. This pattern truly embraces size diversity, making it a wonderful option for a wide range of individuals.
I designed the sock pattern for the magic loop knitting method in mind. However, you can also work on double-pointed needles or mini-circulars instead if you prefer (just use extra markers to denote the placement of the heel or toe shaping).
TIPS & TRICKS
For helpful resources on sock knitting, please visit: https://rhyflowerknits.com/socks/
PATTERN SUPPORT
Please see our Pattern Support page regarding pattern support for our freebie patterns; https://rhyflowerknits.com/pattern-support/
SKILL LEVEL
Beginner
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
(Measured around the ball of the foot)
6 [6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11]” / 15 [16.5, 18, 19, 20.5, 21.5, 23, 24, 25.5, 26.5, 28] cm circumference — choose a size that will give you 1-1.5” / 2.5-4 cm of negative ease. The finished measurements provided are actual measurements and do not factor in your negative ease.
NOTIONS
Tapestry needle, scissors, scrap yarn, stitch markers (1)
SUGGESTED NEEDLES
US1 (2.25 mm) 40” (100 cm) circular needles, or size required to obtain gauge
YARN REQUIREMENTS
MC: 200-500 yds / 183-458 m of fingering weight yarn (depending on the length of your foot and leg)
CC: 44 [52, 60, 68, 77, 86, 96, 106, 116, 127, 138] yds / 40 [48, 55, 62, 70, 79, 88, 97, 106, 116, 126] m of fingering weight yarn
SUGGESTED YARN
Turtlepurl Yarns – Striped Turtle Toes
75% SW Merino 25% Nylon
450 yds (411 m) / 3.5 oz (100 g)
Colour: On the Beach
https://turtlepurl.com/
GAUGE
32 stitches by 40 rounds in stockinette = 4” / 10 cm, after blocking. Gauge is crucial in obtaining the correct fit. Changes in gauge will cause a size difference for your finished socks.
ABBREVIATIONS
*: Repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed.
BOR: Beginning of round.
CC: Contrast colour.
Cm: Centimetre(s).
Dec: Decrease.
Inc: Increase.
K: Knit.
K2tog: Insert the right needle into 2 stitches simultaneously and knit the 2 stitches together. (1 st dec.)
M: Metres.
MC: Main colour.
Mm: Millimetre.
P: Purl.
Oz: Ounce(s).
Rep: Repeat.
Ssk: Slip 2 stitches, one at a time, knitwise. Knit the slipped stitches together through the back loops. (1 st dec.)
St (Sts): Stitch(es).
Yds: Yards.
DIRECTIONS
Using an Old Norwegian Cast-on and your CC, cast on 48 [52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88] stitches and divide evenly between the two needles. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place a stitch marker to denote the BOR. The first half of your stitches will be for your instep and the second half for the back of the leg.
Round 1: *K2, p2; rep from * across round.
Continue working Round 1 until your cuff measures 2” / 5 cm or your desired cuff length. Cut CC and join MC.
LEG
Round 1: Knit across round.
Continue working Rounds 1-12 until your leg measures 1 [1.25, 1.5, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.5, 2.75, 3]” / 2.5 [3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5] cm less than your desired leg length. Work the instep stitches as established; with your scrap yarn, knit to the end of your round. Slip the stitches purlwise back onto the left-hand needle and then pick back up with your MC/main yarn and knit to the end of the round. Your heel is now in place to return to later in the project.
FOOT
Resume working in the round again as established, using your foot directions, until your foot measures 1.75 [2, 2.5, 3, 3.25, 3.75, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.25, 5.75]” / 4.5 [5.5, 6.5, 7.5, 8.5, 9.5, 10.5, 11.5, 12.5, 13.5, 14.5] cm less than your desired length measured from your scrap yarn placement.
Round 1: Knit across round.
TOE
Cut MC and join CC.
Round 1: *K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts on the needle, k2tog, k1; rep from * once more. (4 sts dec.)
Round 2: Knit across round.
Continue working Rounds 1-2 until you have 40 stitches (20 stitches on each needle), then work Round 1 three more times; you’ll have 28 stitches (14 stitches on each needle). Cut yarn, leaving an 8” / 21 cm tail, and Kitchener Stitch your toe closed.
PEASANT HEEL DIRECTIONS
You’ll be working the stitches above and below the scrap yarn you placed earlier in your sock. With your sock toe pointing down, working right to left, pick up the right leg of all the stitches directly below the stitches of your scrap yarn. Rotate work, so your toe is now pointing up, moving right to left, picking up the right leg of all the stitches directly below the scrap yarn. You’ll now have 24 [26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44] stitches on each needle.
Using your tapestry needle, pull out the scrap yarn. Join CC and begin working in the round:
Round 1: *Pick up 1 st to close the gap, knit across the needle, then pick up 1 more st to close the gap; rep from * once more. (4 sts inc.)
Round 2: Knit across round.
Round 3: *K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts on the needle, k2tog, k1; rep from * once more. (4 sts dec.)
Continue working Rounds 2-3 until you have 40 stitches (20 stitches on each needle), then work Round 3 three more times; you’ll have 28 stitches (14 stitches on each needle). Cut yarn, leaving an 8” / 21 cm tail, and Kitchener Stitch your heel closed.
FINISHING
After weaving in all your ends, soak your socks in water for 20 minutes with a gentle soap or wool wash. To dry your socks, either use sock blockers or lay them flat. Give your socks enough time to air dry completely.
Now, dance like nobody’s watching while wearing your new hand-knit socks! ♥