Basic Socks

I thought just for fun I would post a basic sock pattern. This is a pattern I wrote by combining my favorite patterns and then "tweeking" them to make one pattern that worked for me. I use this pattern to teach sock making. It's easy and almost always provides a good outcome. 

Happy knitting.

BASIC SOCKS

You Will Need

100g of sock weight yarn

1 set (4-5) size #2 or #3 double pointed needles ( I prefer bamboo for making socks )

small crochet hook for picking up stitches (Optional)

Stitch marker

Darning needle

On three size 2 or 3 needles loosely cast on 60 stitches. Arrange 20 stitches on each needle. Join being careful not to twist stitches. (I cast on onto two needles held together making a bigger cast on edge so it has a bit more stretch. I also cast on one extra stitch for joining.) Place marker for beginning of round. Work in knit 2, purl 2 ribbing for 4-6 inches. Optional: you can also work in stockinette (knit every round) for desired length of one or more inches however ribbing makes a more stretchy cuff.

Heel

Divide stitches as follows: 1st Needle 30 stitches for heel 2nd and 3rd Needles 15 stitches each. Working on 1st needle only and heel stitches always slip first stitch knitwise when knitting, knit one row, turn, slip one purlwise, purl one, repeat sl 1, p 1 to the end of row. Repeat these two rows until heel measures two-three inches.

To Turn Heel  (Short Rows)

Begin turning heel on wrong side as follows:

• sl1, p16, p2 together (p2tog), p 1, turn
• sl1,  k5, slip slip knit (ssk), k1, turn
• sl1, p6, p2tog, p1, turn
• sl1, k 7, ssk, k1, turn

Continue in this fashion (p8, k9, p10, k11, etc.) until there are 18 stitches on needle

Gusset

With right side of garment on outside and working to the left, pick up stitches on side of heel (1st). Knit stitches from the 2nd and 3rd needle onto one needle (2nd). Pick up stitches on the other side of heel and an extra 9 stitches from 1st needle (3rd).

• 1st Needle:  a. Knit to within 3 stitches of end k2tog, k1
• 2nd Needle: b. Knit
• 3rd Needle:  c. K1, sl1, k1, Pass slipped stitch over (psso), knit to end
•                    d. Next round knit all needles plain.

Repeat a,b,c,d until there are 15 stitches on 1st needle, 30 stitches on 2nd needle and 15 stitches on 3rd needle. Then knit plain until foot measures 7 inches from back of heel (average size), or apx. 2 inches less than desired length.

Shaping Toe

• 1st Needle: Knit to within 3 stitches of end k2tog, k1
• 2nd Needle: k1, sl1, k1, psso, knit to within 3 stitches of end k2tog, k1
• 3rd Needle: k1, sl1, k1,  psso, knit to end

Decrease every other row until there are 6 stitches on 1st , 12 stitches on 2nd and 6 stitches on 3rd needles. Move stitches from 3rd needle to 1st needle. Break yarn leaving a 12 inch tail, thread onto darning needle.

Kitchener Stitch

With wrong sides together hold needles parallel to each other with tail coming from the back needle thread purlwise into front needle, then knitwise into back needle. Now pull thread knitwise into front needle at the same time pull thread from needle, thread purlwise into front needle, then purlwise into back needle while pulling stitch from needle. Next thread knitwise through back needle, knitwise through front needle remove stitch, Continue, remembering k in back, knit in front remove stitch, purl in front, purl in back remove stitch k, k, p, p. When all stitches have been removed from needle secure on inside of toe and weave in ends.  

Terms

k- knit

p- purl

sl- slip stitch from left needle to right without working

k2tog- knit two stitches together knitwise

p2tog- purl 2 stitches together purlwise

psso- pass slipped stitch over

ssk- slip, slip, knit slip stitches from left needle to right knitwise, then back to left needle purlwise, then knit both stitches together in the back loop.