My Basic Sock Pattern - Free

There are just about as many sock patterns as there are socks. And there are just about as many ways to knit socks as there are sock patterns. I use double pointed needles and knit one sock at a time. There is the danger of SSS (Second Sock Syndrome), which is not doing the second sock, but I switch between socks so I don't have that much of a problem. Other ways to knit socks include using two circular needles and the magic loop method which uses one very long needle.You can even knit socks on two needles and sew up the seams on the sides or the back. I have tried these, but I really loved my double pointed needles, so this old dog don't want to learn this new trick.

I usually don't use a pattern because I have made so many socks. However, I have been asked for my pattern enough times that it is time to write it down. Here it is:

My Basic Sock

Materials:

100 g of sock yarn – I used Plymouth Yarn Diversity (Love it!)
2.75mm set of double pointed needles
tapestry needle

Abbreviations:

k - knit

p - purl

k2tog - knit 2 sts together

ssk - slip, slip, knit together

p2tog - purl 2 sts together

sl 1 - slip 1 stitch

st - stitch

dpn – double pointed needles

Leg:

Cast on 60 sts. Divide over 3 or 4 needles, whichever you prefer. Join, being careful not to twist the stitches. (I use 3 needles divided as 15, 15, and 30, with the joining in the center of the 30 stitch needle. Then I am set to work on the heel flap. If you prefer to work with four needles, divide needle 2 into two needles with 15 sts each)

Work 1 inch of k3, p2 rib.

Next row: Knit around.  Continue knitting every sts until you have reached 6½”, or however long you want the leg part of your sock.

Heel Flap

Using only the needle containing the 30 sts, work the following pattern:

Row 1: Sl1, k1, (sl 1, k1, across to last three sts), k3, turn

Row 2: Sl 1, p to the end of the row, turn

Row 3: Sl1, k2, (sl 1, k1, across to last two sts), k2, turn

Row 4: Sl 1, p to the end of the row, turn

Rep these four rows a total of 8 times (32 rows), ending with row 4.

Turn Heel:

Row 1: K17, k2tog, k1, turn

Row 2: Sl 1, p5, p2tog, p1, turn

Row 3: sl 1, k6, k2tog, k1, turn

Row 4: sl 1, p7, p2tog, p1, turn

Row 5: sl 1, k8, k2tog, k1, turn

Row 6: sl 1, p9, p2tog, p1, turn

Row 7: sl 1, k10, k2tog, k1, turn

Row 8: sl 1, p11, p2tog, p1, turn

Row 9: sl 1, k12, k2tog, k1, turn

Row 10: sl 1, p13, p2tog, p1, turn

Row 11: sl 1, k14, k2tog, k1, turn

Row 12: p16, p2tog, p1 (18 sts)

Row 13: Knit across.

Instep:

Needle 1: Using the same needle, pick up and knit 16 sts along side of heel flap.

Needle 2: K30 sts, 15 sts from the next two needles.

Needle 3: Pick up and knit 16 sts along side of heel flap and with the same needle, k9 across the first needle.

Your set-up should be:

Needle 1: 26 sts

Needle 2: 30 sts,

Needle 3: 26

K 2 rounds (starting and ending at the centre bottom of sock).

Gusset Decreases:

Round 1: Needle 1: K to 3 sts before end of needle 1, k2tog, k 1.

  Needle 2: K30 sts across

  Needle 3: K1, ssk, k to end of needle 2.

Round 2: k

Rep these rounds until there are 15 sts left on Needles 1 and 3.

Foot:

Continue to knit all sts on the three needles until your measures 6” along the bottom of the sock or the desired length.  A good guideline is to measure your foot from heel to toe and subtract two inches.

Toe:

Round 1: Needle 1: k to 3 sts before end of needle 1, k2tog, k 1

  Needle 2: k 1, ssk, k to 3 sts before end of needle 2, k2tog, k 1

  Needle 3: k1, ssk, k to end of needle 3.

Round 2: k across all three needles.

Continue working rows 1 and 2 until there are 20 sts left: Needle 1: 5 sts; needle 2: 10 sts: needle 3: 5 sts.

Finishing:

Cut yarn, leaving a 12" (30 cm) tail. Thread the tail onto the tapestry needle and remove all the stitches using the Kitchener Stitch. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

If you don’t know how to do the Kitchener Stitch, Knitty.com has very good step-by-step instructions for you at http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer04/FEATtheresasum04.html