Follow the Basic Top-Down Sock Pattern

This basic pattern is for a top-down sock in fingering weight yarn and employs the gusset heel and basic toe. It includes sizing, specifications, pattern stitches, and detailed information about working the heel.

Specifications

• Size: Child M (Child Lrg/W Sm, W Med, W Lrg/M Sm, M Med, M Lrg)

• Materials: 200 (250, 300, 350, 400, 450) yards of fingering weight yarn

  US 1 (2.25mm) double-pointed, two circulars, or one long circular needle, or size to obtain gauge

• Gauge: 8 sts and 10 rounds = 4 inches square in St st

Pattern stitch

1 x 1 Ribbing

Round 1: * K1, p1 *, rep from * to * around.

Rep round 1 for patt.

Basic top-down sock (make 2)

1. Cast on 52 (56, 60, 64, 68, 72) sts using the desired cast-on. Join, being careful not to twist.

2. Work 1 x 1 ribbing until piece measures 1 inch from beg.

3. Continue even in St st until piece measures 5.5 (6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8) inches from beg or desired length to top of heel.

Work the heel

The heel is worked over 26 (28, 30, 32, 34, 36) sts.

1. Next row (RS): K 13 (14, 15, 16, 17, 18) sts, turn.

2. P across 26 (28, 30, 32, 34, 36) sts.

3. Row 1 (RS): * K1, sl 1 *, rep from * to * across.

4. Row 2 (WS): Sl 1, p across.

5. Rep rows 1 and 2 until you have worked 26 (28, 30, 32, 34, 36) rows in total.

Turn the heel

1. Row 1: K across 15 (16, 17, 18, 19, 20) sts, ssk, k1, turn.

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

3. Row 3: Sl 1, k to 1 st before gap, ssk (1 st from each side of gap), k1, turn.

4. Row 4: Sl 1, p to 1 st before gap, p2tog (1 st from each side of gap), p1, turn.

5. Rep rows 3 and 4 until you have worked all heel sts, ending if necessary on the last rep with k2tog and p2tog. 16 (16, 18, 18, 20, 20) sts remain.

Make the gusset

1. Next round: KI 8 (8, 9, 9, 10, 10) sts. Using an empty needle, k 8 (8, 9, 9, 10, 10) sts. Rotate work and with the same needle, pick up 13 (14, 15, 16, 17, 18) sts along side of heel flap.

2. Work across 26 (28, 30, 32, 34, 36) sts of instep.

3. Pick up 13 (14, 15, 16, 17, 18) sts along other side of heel flap using an empty needle. K rem 8 (8, 9, 9, 10, 10) sts. The heel is now complete and the round begins at the center back heel.

Decrease for the gusset — round 1

1. Needle 1: K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.

2. Needle 2: Knit all sts.

3. Needle 3: Knit all sts.

4. Needle 4: Ssk, k1, k to end.

Decrease for the gusset — round 2

1. Knit all sts.

2. Rep rounds 1 and 2 until 52 (56, 60, 64, 68, 72) sts remain.

3. Work even on these sts until piece measures 5.5 (6.5, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9) inches from the back of the heel, or 2 inches less than desired total foot length.

Shape the toe

Round 1

1. Needle 1: K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.

2. Needle 2: Ssk, k1, k to end.

3. Needle 3: K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.

4. Needle 4: Ssk, k1, k to end.

Round 2

1. Knit all sts.

2. Rep rounds 1 and 2 until 26 (28, 30, 32, 34, 36) sts rem.

3. Rep round 1 until 12 (12, 16, 16, 18, 18) sts rem.

4. K to the end of Needle 1. Cut yarn and graft toe.

5. Weave in ends and block.