Back to Basics: Socks (DK) – Cuff-Down Short Row Heel

Few things are as satisfying as slipping into a pair of hand-knit socks—especially when they’re crafted with love, care, and the perfect fit in mind. Whether you’re new to sock knitting or a seasoned pro looking for a fast and cosy project, the Back to Basics Socks – DK (Short-Row Heel, Cuff-Down) pattern is your next must-knit!

Socks can be an intimidating project for some knitters, but they don’t have to be. This pattern takes a straightforward, approachable path to sock knitting, using DK weight yarn for a quicker knit and a short-row heel that eliminates the need for a gusset and heel flap. If you’ve been hesitant to try socks before, this is a fantastic place to start!

Knitting socks with DK weight yarn has its own set of benefits. The slightly thicker yarn provides warmth and structure while knitting up faster than traditional fingering-weight socks. This means you get to enjoy a finished pair sooner—and who doesn’t love a speedy, satisfying knit? Plus, the short-row heel offers a sleek, contoured fit without the extra bulk, making these socks as stylish as they are comfortable.

Pattern Notes for Back to Basics: Socks (DK)

Worked in the round, this versatile sock pattern offers a seamless knitting experience with cuff-down written directions. 

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).

Create a project page for your project here on Ravelry!

I can’t wait to see your Back to Basics: Socks (DK) come to life! Share your WIPs and FOs on social media using #rhyFlowerBlog and #BackToBasics—let’s celebrate your creativity together!

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

Size Information for Back to Basics: Socks (DK)

1 [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10] — larger sizes are in bold throughout the pattern to help differentiate the multiple sizes.

Finished Measurements of Back to Basics: Socks (DK)

(Measured around the ball of the foot)

6 [6.5, 7, 7.75, 8.25, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.75, 11.25]” / 15 [16.5, 18, 19.5, 20.5, 22.5, 23.5, 25, 26.5, 28.5] 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 used in Back to Basics: Socks (DK)

Tapestry needle, scissors, tape measure, stitch markers (1)

Suggested Needles in Back to Basics: Socks (DK)

US3 (3.25 mm) 40” / 100 cm circular needles, or the size required to get gauge

Yarn Requirements for Back to Basics: Socks (DK)

MC: 100-245 yd / 91-224 m of DK weight yarn (depending on the length of your foot and leg)

CC: 37 [43, 48, 54, 60, 66, 72, 79, 86, 93] yd / 34 [39, 44, 49, 55, 60, 66, 72, 79, 85] m of DK weight yarn

Suggested Yarn for Back to Basics: Socks (DK)

Turtlepurl Yarns – DK Striped Turtle Toes
75% Superwash Merino 25% Nylon
245 yd (224 m) / 3.5 oz (100 g)
Colour: Trenchcoat
https://turtlepurl.com/

Gauge of Back to Basics: Socks (DK)

27 stitches by 36 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 used in Back to Basics: Socks (DK)

*: Repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed.

”: Inch(es).

BOR: Beginning of round.

CC: Contrast colour.

Cm: Centimetre(s).

Dec: Decrease.

G: Gram(s).

Inc: Increase.

K: Knit.

K2tog: Insert the right needle into 2 stitches simultaneously and knit the 2 stitches together. (1 st dec)

M: Metre(s).

MC: Main colour.

Mm: Millimetre(s).

Oz: Ounce(s).

P: Purl.

Rep: Repeat.

RS: Right side.

Ssk: Slip 2 stitches, one at a time, knitwise. Knit the slipped stitches together through the back loops. (1 st dec)

St(s): Stitch(es).

W&T: Wrap the stitch with the working yarn and turn the work.

WS: Wrong side.

Yd: Yard(s).

Directions for Back to Basics: Socks (DK)

Using an Old Norwegian Cast-on and your CC, cast on 40 [44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76] 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: *K1, p1; rep from * across round.

Continue working Round 1 until your cuff measures 1.5” / 4 cm or your desired cuff length. Cut CC and join MC.

Leg of Back to Basics: Socks (DK)

Round 1: Knit across round.

Continue working Round 1 until your leg measures 1.5 [1.75, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 2.75, 3]” / 4 [4.5, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 6.5, 7] cm less than your desired leg length, measured from the cast-on edge.

Short Row Heel used in Back to Basics: Socks DK

Continue across the instep as established, then drop MC and join CC. You’ll continue working with your CC from here. You will work inward toward the centre of your heel, working the stitches on your second needle flat using short rows.

Row 1 (RS): K19 [21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37], w&t next st.

Row 2 (WS): P18 [20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36], w&t next st.

Row 3: Knit to last st before the previous w&t, w&t next st.

Row 4: Purl to last st before the previous w&t, w&t next st.

Continue working Rows 3-4 until you have ‌7 [8, 8, 9, 10, 10, 11, 12, 12, 13] wrapped stitches on each side of your heel; 6 [6, 8, 8, 8, 10, 10, 10, 12, 12] unwrapped stitches in the centre. Now, begin working back towards the outside stitches of the heel. You will wrap the stitch after the one you work together with its wrap, so now this stitch has two wraps on it.

Row 1 (RS): Knit to wrapped st, knit both wrap and the st together, w&t next st.

Row 2 (WS): Purl to wrapped st, purl both wrap and the st together, w&t next st.

Row 3: Knit to wrapped st, knit both wraps and the st together, w&t next st.

Row 4: Purl to wrapped st, purl both wraps and the st together, w&t next st.

Continue working Rows 3-4 until you have 1 wrapped stitch remaining on each end. Cut CC and continue working heel with MC. Facing the RS, knit to the last stitch of the heel and, again, work the wraps and the stitch together. You’re now back at your original beginning of the round and are prepared to resume working in the round again. 

Next Round: Continue working across the instep as established, then knit the remaining wrapped stitch and the next stitch together, and knit to the end of the round. We have now resolved all wrapped stitches.

Foot of Back to Basics: Socks (DK)

Resume working in the round as established, using your foot directions, until your foot measures 1 [1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3]” / 2.5 [3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5] cm less than your desired length, measured from the deepest part of the heel.

Round 1: Knit across round.

Toe used in Back to Basics: Socks (DK)

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; 2 sts dec on each needle)

Round 2: Knit across round.

Continue working Rounds 1-2 until you have 28 stitches (14 stitches on each needle), then work Round 1 three more times; you’ll have ‌16 stitches (8 stitches on each needle). Cut yarn, leaving an 8” / 21 cm tail, and graft your toe closed.

Finishing your Back to Basics: Socks (DK)

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! ♥