Free Sock Knitting Pattern

This free sock knitting pattern is great for those of you out there who love knitting socks.

You can make a pair of socks in all sorts of color combinations, from fall colors to holiday reds and neutrals.

A sock pattern is a great way to work on a small project during work breaks or when you are traveling.

Please scroll down to view the free knitting pattern or grab the ad-free printable PDF from my shop here.

Free Sock Knitting Patterns

There are so many free sock knitting patterns out there for you to browse through, including those with step-by-step instructions.

Socks are often knit with sock yarn or fingering-weight yarn, but you can knit them in any yarn weight you like.

The socks in this pattern are knit with worsted weight yarn for a cozy feel, they are knit in Cascade 220, 100% wool for durability.

Types Of Sock Patterns

There are many different ways to knit socks, from cuff-down to toe-up socks.

Top-down or cuff-down socks are knit from the cuff that starts at the top of the leg, and down to the toe (like the socks in my pattern below).

Other socks are knit from the toe up, starting with the toe, then working their way up to the heel and leg.

There are also different methods of creating the heel including…

• Short row heel.
• Flap heel.
• Gusset heel.
• Afterthought heel.
• Peasant heel.

For Lacy socks, cable socks, bold stripes or to learn more about the basics of sock knitting, please have a look here.

Great for taking it with you!

Socks are small projects, you can fit them in a small drawstring bag and take them with you when you travel. 

You don’t need much yarn so perfect for traveling, while you are on a car journey, on the bus, or train. 

Many people also take this type of project with them while waiting for school pick-ups or while waiting for an appointment. 

Sock Knitting Pattern

Purchase the inexpensive ad-free, PDF printable pattern in my shop here.

Notes

Skill Level – Intermediate

This knitting pattern with detailed instructions is great for those of you out there who want to knit cozy pairs of socks.

This is a simple sock pattern for the more experienced knitter, that has a few sizes to make, including child sizes and adult small, medium, large and extra large for men’s socks.

You can change the length of your sock (the foot) according to the various sizes, and adjust the leg length if you wish, for example, if you want ankle socks.

They are knit on circular needles using the magic loop technique (you can use 9″ circulars in the round if you have those needles).

Hand-knitted socks in different designs can make excellent and thoughtful gifts for the whole family.

Copyright Info

• Please do not copy, sell, redistribute or republish this pattern. 
• If you wish to share this pattern, link to the pattern page only.
• You may sell items produced using this pattern.
• Do NOT use copyrighted photos for your product listing.
• For the copyright T&C please read my Terms of Use.

Size Information

There are different sizes, so you can make a pair for each family member!

Child Size

• 4/6 years
• 8/10 years

Adult Size

• S, M, L, XL

Finished foot length

• Child 4/6 years – 7″ (18cm)
• Child 8/10 years – 8″ (20.5cm)
• Adult Small – 9″ (23cm)
• Adult Medium – 9.5″ (24cm)
• Adult Large – 10.5″ (26.5cm)
• Adult X-Large – 11.5″ (29cm)

Gauge – 20 sts/26 rows in 4×4 inches/10x10cm measure in stocking (stockinette) stitch.

Helpful hint – *You may wish to knit a gauge swatch before starting to see if you will need to go up or down a needle size.

Abbreviations / Knitting Abbreviations List

• Beg – Begin(ning)
• Cont – Continue(ing)
• K – Knit
• K2tog – Knit 2 sts together
• P – Purl
• P2tog – Purl two stitches together
• Psso – pass slipped stitch over
• Rem – Remaining
• Rep – Repeat
• RIB 1×1 – K1, P1
• S1 – Slip one stitch
• St(s) – Stitch(es)
• St St – stocking (stockinette) stitch

Pattern Instructions

Pattern Notes

• *Place a marker at the beginning of the round.
• The instructions are written for the smaller sizes first. If changes are necessary for a larger size the instructions will be written thus ( ).
• Highlight the numbers and notes for your size before you begin.
• For the child, adult small and medium sizes cast on 36 and follow the first four sets of numbers pertaining to your size.
• For the adult L and XL sizes cast on 40 sts and follow the fifth and sixth set of numbers in () pertaining to your size.

Cuff >

• Using 4.5mm needles for the child sizes / 5mm (US 8) circular needles for all adult sizes – cast on 36 (36, 36, 36, 40, 40) sts.
• Work 12, (12, 18, 18, 18, 18) rounds in 1×1 ribbing – (*K1, P1* to end).

Leg >

• Round 1: *K3, P1* to the end of the round.
• Rep round 1 for 19 (19, 29, 29, 39, 39) more rounds.

Break Yarn and re-attach it to the 1st st on the other needle.

Next, pick up and knit 6 (6, 6, 6, 8, 8) sts along the heel, K across the 9 (9, 9, 9, 13, 13) sts from the needle, and pick up and knit 6 (6, 6, 6, 8, 8) sts along the heel, *P1, K3* five times to the last st, P1.

Foot >

Cont as follows for the sole >

• Round 1 – P2tog, K17 (17, 17, 17, 25, 25), P2tog, P1, *K3, P1* four times, to last 4 sts, K3, P1.
• Round 2 – P2tog, K15 (15, 15, 15, 23, 23), P2tog, P1, *K3, P1* four times, to last 4 sts, K3, P1.
• Round 3 – P2tog, K13 (13, 13, 13, 21, 21), P2tog, P1, *K3, P1*, four times, to last 4 sts, K3, P1.
• Round 4 (L and XL sizes only) – P2tog, K19 (19), P2tog, P1, *K3, P1*, four times, to last 4 sts, K3, P1.

For the child sizes and S/M sizes only – when you work the next round – you will have 15 sts on one needle (the underside of the foot) and 21 sts on the other for the ribbing.

For the L/XL sizes only – when you work the next round – you should have 21 sts on one needle and 21 sts on the other.

• Round 4 (Child Sizes + S/M Size) – P1, K13 P1, *P1, K3* rep from * to * to last st, P1.
• Round 5 (L/XL Size) – P1, K19 P1, *P1, K3* rep from * to * to last st, P1.
• Child 4/6 years – Rounds 5-30 – Rep round 4.
• Child 8/10 years – Rounds 5-35 – Rep round 4.
• S Size – Rounds 5-40 – Rep round 4.
• M Size – Rounds 5-45 – Rep round 4.
• L Size – Rounds 6-50 – Rep round 5.
• XL Size – Rounds 6-55 – Rep round 5.

*Please note – try your sock on before you complete the toe to check the length, you may need to make it shorter or longer.

Shape Toe >

When shaping the toe, make sure there are 18 sts on each needle for the S/M size and

• Round 1 – *K2tog, K14 (14, 14, 14, 17, 17), S1, K1, PSSO* twice.
• Round 2 – Knit.
• Round 3 – *K2tog, K12 (12, 12, 12, 15, 15), S1, K1, PSSO* twice.
• Round 4 – Knit.
• Round 5 – *K2tog, K10 (10, 10, 10, 13, 13), S1, K1, PSSO* twice.
• Round 6 – Knit.

Make sure there are 12 sts on each needle for the Child sizes and S/M sizes and 15 sts on each needle for the L/XL sizes.

Graft the toe using the Kitchener stitch.

Second Sock > 

Make the second sock to match.

Finishing >

• Graft the toe using the Kitchener stitch for no seam and weave in any loose ends.
• It is best to use the Kitchener stitch when sewing up sock toes so that there is no ridge inside that will rub against the skin.
• Block your socks if possible for a better finish.
• Sock Blockers.

More Free Patterns

You may also like these baby socks and this collection of sock patterns.

There are also lots of different patterns for you to browse through here – Free Knitting Patterns.

Share your work with us…

I love seeing your finished projects.

If you enjoyed making the socks, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme or #handylittleme.  

You can also share your work in our Facebook group here.

I’d love to see your work!