Knitting Socks - Free Patterns

I always have trouble with the first row or two of knitting socks. There simply aren't enough hands available! Generally a pattern will start with some rib rows, either single K1 P1 or double K2 P2. Then someone gave me a tip. Always start with two rows of knit stitch. It's a lot easier while you wrestle with joining stitches between your third and first needle.

Tip: always cast on with a larger size needle than the pattern calls for, then change to the normal size for the first knit row.

Watch the video to see how it's done.

Photo courtesy of Moira, under the Creative Commons Licence

Silver's Sock Class is the best place to begin. With step-by-step pictures, she shows you how to make a gorgeous pair of hand knitted socks.

She has color-coded the pattern so you don't get muddled. She explains everything so that you know why you are doing in the way that she tells you.

After you've done the first pair, you can print out the instructions without the photos for future reference.

The socks in the photo were knitted for my step-daughter in gorgeous Mirasol Hacho 100% hand dyed Merino Wool - click on the photo to purchase similar yarn.

Basic Socks
Easy Beginner Socks
Ribbed Waffle Socks
Knitting Pattern Central: Socks
Free Vintage Sock Patterns
The Daily Knitter
Free Sock Knitting Patterns for Charity

I remember my grandmother and aunt talking about 'turning a heel'. Later my auntie told me that it was the 'worst part' of sock knitting. Well... it's my favourite bit. I love the process of crafting the heel. There is something almost magical about the way it forms in your hands. Once you've done it once or twice, it's easy.

That's the great thing about knitting socks - you never get bored because you aren't knitting acres of backs or sides. There's always something happening with socks

These socks were knitted in Regia yarn by Kaffe Fassett.

Blueberry Waffle Socks.

Knitlist.com for zillions of great sock patterns.

Knitting Help Adult socks and slipper-socks.

Hannah of Knit*Six has very kindly allowed me to reproduce one of her lovely patterns here. These cute little 'socklettes' are knitted on a circular needle but the pattern can be adapted to DPNS.

BON-BON SOCKLETTES

Yarn: 2 skeins Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in color 300602
Needles: US #4 (I used a 32" circular needle for magic loop, but you can easily substitute your needles of choice)
Notions: Stitch marker (optional), yarn needle
Gauge: 20 sts x 28 rows = 4 inches

Petite Mock Cable Pattern
Row 1: *K2tog and then work first stitch again before removing stitches from left needle, P2; repeat from * to end.
Rows 2, 3, and 4: [correction] Work in K2 P2 rib
Repeat these four rows for pattern.

Cuff
Cast on 48 stitches.
Work 10 rows K2,P2 rib.

Leg
Work petite mock cable pattern three times, ending with Row 1.

Heel flap
Heel flap: Knit 12 stitches, turn and purl 24 stitches. These stitches will form the heel flap.
Row 1: Slip 1 as if to purl, K to end.
Row 2: Slip 1 as if to purl, P to end.
Work these 2 rows 12 times, then work Row 1 once more.

Turn Heel
Slip 1 as if to purl, P14, P2tog, P1, turn.
Slip 1 as if to purl, K7, K2tog TBL (through the back loop), K1, turn.

Row 1: Slip 1 as if to purl, P to one stitch before gap, P2tog, P1, turn.
Row 2: Slip 1 as if to purl, K to one stitch before gap, K2tog TBL, turn
Continue working these two rows until all stitches have been worked.

Pick up gusset stitches
Using needle holding heel flap stitches, pick up and knit each slipped stitch along edge of heel flap (a total of 12 - 13 gusset stitches); place marker if desired; pick up and PURL the stitch below the first instep stitch; transfer this stitch to the instep-stitch needle.

Using needle holding instep stitches, work across instep stitches (you should be on Row 2 of Petite mock cable pattern); pick up and PURL the stitch below the first stitch on the other side of the gusset gap; place marker if desired; pick up and knit each slipped stitch along edge of heel flap (a total of 12 - 13 gusset stitches)

You should now have 26 instep stitches; from here on, always purl the first and last stitch on the instep-stitch needle, forming a column of purl stitches to set off the edge of the instep pattern.

Heel-stitch needle: Knit across half of heel stitches, place marker to mark beginning of rounds from here on, then knit the other half of heel stitches; next, knit each gusset stitch you picked up through the back loop.

Instep-stitch needle: Purl 1; work instep stitches in pattern; Purl 1; next, knit each gusset stitch you picked up through the back loop.

Decrease gusset stitches
Round 1: Heel-stitch needle-Knit to 3 stitches before instep; K2tog, K1; Instep-stitch needle-P1, work instep stitches in pattern, P1; K1, K2Tog TBL; knit to end.

Round 2: Knit to instep stitches; work instep stitches in pattern (including the P1 you've established at either side); knit to end.

Repeat these two rounds until 50 stitches remain (24 on the sole, 26 on the instep). Arrange so instep stitches and sole stitches are on separate needles.

Foot
Instep: Purl 1, Work mock cable pattern, Purl 1; knit across sole stitches.

Continue working mock cable pattern on instep 12 times, or to desired length, ending with row 3. Sole will continue to be worked in stockinette stitch.

Next round: Knit sole stitches and on insetp, P2tog, P across to last two stitches, P2tog, to create a purl ridge before beginning toe decreases.

Toe
Round 1: Work to 3 stitches before end of needle, K2tog, K1; K1, K2tog TBL, knit across to last three stitches on needle, K2tog, K1; K1, K2tog TBL, knit to end of round.
Round 2: K to end

Work rows 1 and 2 until there are 12 stitches on each needle, then work decrease row only, until 6 stitches remain on each needle. Arrange stitches and graft together. If you prefer, you may also thread yarn through remaining stitches and draw tight to close.

Weave in ends and block as desired.

(c) 2007, Hannah Six.

Hannah can also be found on Ravelry