Socks basically consist of 7 knitted sections: the
cuff, leg, heel flap, heel turn, gusset, foot, and toe
(above). For the sock above, I knit different parts
of the sock in different colors.However, remember
that when you knit your sock, it’s easiest to use one
color. The different colors are for demonstration
purposes, however lovely they may be. The yarn
used for the step-by-step photos is a variegated
yarn, which looks more complicated than it is.
1. Find your stitch gauge.
Cast on 30 stitches and knit a swatch at least
2" long. Cast off. You should have 16 stitches/2".
If there are too few stitches, knit another swatch
with smaller needles; if too many, knit another with
larger needles. The correct gauge is very important
for a proper fit.
2. Cast on.
Cast on 64 stitches over two DPN, using the same
cast-on you used for your gauge. (I like the long-tail
cast-on.)
3. Knit the cuff (green).
Distribute your stitches evenly over 4 needles ( 16
stitches each). Forming the needles into a circle, join
the stitches in the round, being careful not to twist
the stitches. Attach your detachable stitch marker
at the beginning of your row. Move this marker
along vertically as you work. Repeat the following
pattern: *k2, p2*, until you reach the end of the row.
Continue this 2× 2 ribbing for 1½". The completed
Materials
» Sock yarn fingering weight. Get sock
yarn specifically — usually a blend
of about 75% wool and 25% nylon.
You’ll need about 400yds (100g) for
2 socks.
» Set of 5 double-pointed needles
(DPN), U.S. size 1 or the size neces-
sary to obtain the proper gauge
» Stitch holder
» Detachable stitch marker A paper
clip or safety pin works for this.
» Blunt tapestry needle
SIZE MY SOCKS
OK, so obviously we all don’t have size 8 feet. If your
feet are a different size, here’s how to modify the sock
pattern so it will fit you.
» Measure the widest part around your foot in inches.
Divide 128 by this number. This is the number of
stitches per 2" in your gauge.
» Using an appropriate size of DPN (smaller for smaller
feet, larger for larger feet) and your new gauge, follow
the stitch gauge instructions in Step 1.
HINT: Be conservative. You’ll probably only need to
change your DPN from size 1 by one or two sizes. Also,
most local yarn stores are very good about letting you
return needles that are the wrong size.
» Follow the pattern as normal until you get to knitting the foot. Here, instead of knitting the foot until it
measures 7½" from the heel, knit until it measures
2" less than the length of your own foot. Then finish
the pattern as normal.
cuff is shown in Figure A, next page.
4. Knit the leg (pink).
Knit evenly for 5" ( 6½" total), remembering to move
the detachable stitch marker along vertically as you
knit each row.
5. Knit the heel flap (blue).
Remove the stitch marker and set it aside. K32
stitches onto 1 needle. Put the remaining 32 stitches
on the stitch holder. Then sl1, p31 back along the
needle (Figure B).
