Free Basic Vanilla Sock Pattern

SIZES AVAILABLE IN THIS PATTERN

[XS, S] M (L) yields a sock with an ankle measurement of approximately 12.5,15.25] 17.75 (21.5) cm… [5, 6] 7 (8.5) inches un-stretched. Due to the nature of knit fabric, there is considerable stretch to accommodate an ankle circumference of approximately [17.75, 20.25] 22.75 (26.5) cm…[7, 8] 9 (10.5) inches depending on gauge.

ABBREVIATIONS

k Knit

p Purl

ssk Slip, slip knit

k2tog Knit 2 together

k tbl Knit through back loop

MC Main Colour

CC Contrast Colour

TOOLS

• Needles: 2.25mm / size US 1 needles of choice.

• Stitch Markers (2)

• Darning needle MATERIALS

•Yarn: 325-425 mtrs fingering weight sock yarn. (This is called 4 ply in Australia) + 2 mini skeins 85 mtrs each

CUFF:

Using the German Twisted Cast On[48, 56] 72 (80) stitches with the CC. Join the stitches in the round being careful not to twist them. Divide stitches evenly onto the needles, each needle holding [24, 28] 36 (40) on magic loop or [12,14]18(20) on 5 needle DPNs.

Knit cuff as a semi-twisted rib of (k tbl, p)* repeat to end. Rib 6 Rows CC1, Rib 6 Rows CC2, Rib 6 Rows CC1 Substitute your favourite ribbing if preferred. Once ribbed cuff is 1.5” long (approximately 18 rows) switch to MC

LEG:

Knit in MC (main colour) stockinette stitch until {15.25cm} or { 6inches} or desired leg length is achieved. Depending on gauge approximately 60 rows after the rib. Place a ½ round of waste yarn to mark for the forethought heel. Alternatively continue to knit down foot until desired size is achieved and use an afterthought heel.

FORETHOUGHT HEEL:

When you have reached your desired length of the leg (my preferred 60 -70 rows), using waste yarn, knit across the back of the sock with a DPN in the needle size up from the one you are using. Push the stitches to the back of the needle and then continue knitting with your main yarn. Put the DPN aside and knit to desired foot length.

AFTERTHOUGHT HEEL:

When you have reached your desired length of both leg and foot, go to the desired length for your heal and snip the stitch unraveling across the back of the socks knitting and pick up the top and bottom of the heal space stitches as you go. (same amount as you cast on works great)

HEEL:

Round 1-4: Knit

Round 5: k1, ssk, k[22,26] 30 (34), k2tog, k1, k1, ssk, k[22,26] 30 (34), k2tog k1 [54,62] 70 (78) Round 6:Knit

Round 7: k1, ssk, k[20,24] 28 (32), k2tog, k1, k1, ssk, k[20,24] 28 (32), k2tog k1 [50,58] 66 (74)

Round 8:Knit

Round 9: k1, ssk, k[18,22] 26 (30), k2tog, k1, k1, ssk, k[18,22] 26 (30), k2tog k1 [46,54] 62 (70)

Round 10:Knit

Round 11: k1, ssk, k[16,20] 24 (28), k2tog, k1, k1, ssk, k[16,20] 24 (28), k2tog k1 [42, 50] 58 (66)

Round 12:Knit

Round 13: k1, ssk, k[14,18] 22 (26), k2tog, k1, k1, ssk, k[14,18] 22 (26), k2tog k1 [38, 46] 54 (62)

Round 14:Knit

Round 15: k1, ssk, k[12,16] 20 (24), k2tog, k1, k1, ssk, k[12,16] 20 (24), k2tog k1 [34, 42] 50 (58)

Round 16:Knit

Round 17: k1, ssk, k[10,14] 18 (22), k2tog, k1, k1, ssk, k[10,14] 18 (22), k2tog k1 [30, 38] 46 (54)

Round 18:Knit

Round 19: k1, ssk, k[8,12] 16 (20), k2tog, k1, k1, ssk, k[8,12] 16 (20), k2tog k1 [26, 34] 42 (50)

Round 20:Knit

Round 21: k1, ssk, k[6,10] 14 (18), k2tog, k1, k1, ssk, k[6,10] 14 (18), k2tog k1 [22, 34] 38 (46)

Round 22:Knit 4

FOOT:

Ensure your stitches are split over the 2 needles evenly. Knit to the desired foot size, I find trying it on while still on the needles invaluable. Knit in stockinette and leave about {6cm} or {2.3inches} for the toe decreases. Why not add some interest to your Vanilla Sock with a couple of stripes before the toe?

TOE:

Complete the toe using CC2. Begin the toe decreases.

Round 1: Needle 1 k, SSK, k to the last three stitches on the needle, k2tog, k Needle 2 k, SSK, k to the last three stitches on the needle, k2tog, k

Round 2: K all stitches

Repeat rounds 1 and 2 [5, 6] 7 (8) more times.

Then repeat row 1 only (decrease every row) until you only have 20 stitches left total. (10 stitches on top of the foot, 10 stitches on the bottom) Use the Kitchener stitch to graft the toe together.

KITCHENER:

Use Kitchener stitch to graft the toe together.

1. Knit on the front needle, pull yarn through, pull that stitch off the needle.

2. Purl on the front needle, pull yarn through, leave that stitch on.

3. Purl on the back needle, pull yarn through, pull that stitch off the needle.

4. Knit on the back needle, pull yarn through, leave that stitch on.

Repeat 1-4 until closed.

Hope you enjoy your new socks. So many possibilities to modify. Add stripes, lace, colourwork or texture to this basic recipe for endless variations.