Back to Basics: Socks – Toe-Up Short Row Heel

Are you ready to take on your first pair of hand-knit socks but not sure where to start? Look no further! “Back to Basics: Socks” is the ultimate beginner-friendly pattern designed to guide you through every step with ease and confidence. Whether you’re new to sock knitting or simply looking to refine your skills, this toe-up sock pattern is the perfect introduction to the wonderful world of knitting your own cosy, custom socks.

What makes this pattern so ideal for beginners? First, it’s worked from the cuff down – a method that gives you complete control over the fit and length of the sock. This means that you can easily try it on as you go to make sure it’s just right! Plus, the pattern features a short row heel, which is an easy yet effective technique that will help you shape your heel with minimal fuss. Even if you’ve never knitted a sock before, the short row heel is an approachable way to learn sock construction without feeling overwhelmed.

Each stitch and step is carefully explained, making it simple for you to follow along, even if you’ve never worked with a sock pattern before. And, because we know how important it is to have fun while knitting, we’ve designed this pattern with a smooth flow to keep you engaged and excited as you watch your socks come to life.

As you work through this pattern, you’ll not only learn essential sock techniques but also gain a greater understanding of sock construction, fit, and customisation. By the time you finish your first pair, you’ll have gained the confidence and skills to continue knitting socks in any style you choose. Imagine all the fun colourways, stitch patterns, and unique designs you’ll be able to experiment with after mastering this basic sock recipe!

So, if you’re ready to dive in, grab your needles, some soft yarn, and let’s get knitting! Whether you’re gifting your first pair of handmade socks or keeping them for yourself, this “Back to Basics: Socks” pattern is sure to be the first of many pairs you’ll create and wear with pride.

Let’s make your sock knitting journey as smooth and enjoyable as possible—because your hands deserve the best!

Pattern Notes for Back to Basics: Socks

Worked in the round from the toe-up, this versatile sock pattern offers a seamless knitting experience. While the pattern comes with instructions for a short row heel, it’s adaptable to your personal preferences and unique 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).

Create a project page for your project here on Ravelry!

I can’t wait to see your Back to Basics: Socks 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 for Back to Basics: Socks

Please see our Pattern Support page regarding pattern support for our freebie patterns; https://rhyflowerknits.com/pattern-support/

Skill Level

Beginner

Size Information

1 [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11] — larger sizes are in bold throughout the pattern to help differentiate the multiple sizes.

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, tape measure, stitch markers (1)

Suggested Needles

US1 (2.25 mm) 40” / 100 cm circular needles, or the size required to get gauge

Yarn Requirements

200-500 yd / 183-458 m of fingering weight yarn (depending on the length of your foot and leg)

Suggested Yarn

Turtlepurl Yarns – Striped Turtle Toes
75% SW Merino 25% Nylon
450 yd (411 m) / 3.5 oz (100 g)
Colour: Imposters
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 used in Back to Basics: Socks

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

“: Inch(es).

BOR: Beginning of round.

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: Metre(s).

M1L: From the front, lift the horizontal strand between stitches with the left needle. Knit through the back loop. (1 st inc)

M1R: From the back, lift the horizontal strand between stitches with the left needle. Knit through the front loop. (1 st inc)

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

Using Judy’s Magic Cast-on, cast on 28 stitches (14 stitches on each needle). Knit across 1 round, working through the back loop on your second needle. Place a stitch marker to denote the BOR.

Rounds 1-2: *K1, M1R, knit to the last st on the needle, M1L, k1; rep from * once more. (36 sts; 18 sts on each needle)

Round 3: *K1, M1R, knit to the last st on the needle, M1L, k1; rep from * once more. (4 sts inc; 2 sts inc on each needle)

Round 4: Knit across round. 

Continue working Rounds 3-4 until you have 48 [52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88] stitches. The first half of your stitches will be for your instep and the second half for the sole of your sock. 

Foot

Round 1: Knit across round.

Continue working Round 1 until your foot measures 1.5 [1.75, 2, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.5, 2.5, 2.75, 2.75, 3]” / 4 [4.5, 5, 5, 5.5, 6.5, 6.5, 6.5, 7, 7, 7.5] cm less than your desired foot length, measured from the cast-on edge.

Short Row Heel

Continue across the instep as established. You will work inward toward the centre of your heel, working the stitches on your second needle flat using short rows.

Row 1 (RS): K23 [25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43], w&t next st.

Row 2 (WS): P22 [24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42], 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 ‌8 [9, 10, 10, 11, 12, 12, 13, 14, 14, 15] wrapped stitches on each side of your heel; 8 [8, 8, 10, 10, 10, 12, 12, 12, 14, 14] 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. 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.

Leg

Resume working in the round, as established, using your leg directions, until your leg measures your desired length before the cuff, measured from the deepest part of the heel.

Round 1: Knit across round.

Cuff

Round 1: *K2, p2; rep from * across round.

Continue working Round 1 until your cuff measures 1.5” / 4 cm or your desired cuff length. Bind off using a Stretchy Bind-off, remember you’ll want your bind-off to be stretchy enough to get your sock on and off comfortably.

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! ♥