Free Sock Knitting Pattern (Easy + Simple For Beginners)

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 various 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. – Sock Knitting Patterns You Will Love!

Socks are often knit with sock yarn or fingering-weight yarn, but you can knit them in any yarn weight you like. Learn everything about fingering weight yarn here – What Is Fingering Yarn? Your Ultimate Guide

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. Learn everything about worsted weight yarn here. – What Is Worsted Weight Yarn?

Learn everything about the different yarn weights here – Yarn Weight Guide (+ Conversion Chart)

Types Of Sock Patterns

Knitting socks has many different ways, 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 and 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.

Knit With Circular Needles

This is an easy sock knitting pattern for those of you who are intermediate knitters, and the techniques you will need to know are decreasing, slipped stitches, knitting short rows (for the short row heel/heel flap), and to graft the toe, the Kitchener stitch.

You will also need to know how to pick up and knit stitches, this is so you can complete the foot part of the socks.

You could knit these cozy socks on double-pointed needles, adjusting the stitches throughout for four needles instead of two.

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.

Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern:

This free pattern is great for intermediate, beginner sock knitters or advanced beginner knitters looking for a more challenging project…

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 or perhaps your first pair of socks.

This is a simple sock pattern for the more experienced knitter with 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 that 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/10×10 cm measure in stocking (stockinette) stitch.

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

The Supplies You Need

Yarn

Aran/worsted/10 Ply yarn.
For the Child size 4/6yrs – 140m/153yds/100g (Cascade 220)
For the Child size 8/10 years – 155m/170yds/100g (Cascade 220)
For the S/M size – 167m/182 yards/100g (Cascade 220).
For the L/XL Size – 200m/220 yards/100g (Cascade 220).
Cascade Yarns.
Yarn Weight Guide (+ Conversion Chart)
For the best yarn alternatives (including non-wool fibers), please look here – Yarn Sub.

Needles

Adult Sizes – 5 mm needles (US 8) 16″ circular needles, 9″ circular knitting needles or DPNs.
Child Sizes – 4.5 mm (US 7) 16″ circular needles, 9″ circular knitting needles or DPNs.
If you use a 16″ circular you will have to use the magic loop technique.
For the adult sock – You may wish to use a smaller size needle for the cuff (or if you want a tighter fitting sock) – 4.5mm (US 7) DPNs / or 9″ or 16″ circular needles.

Notions

Tape measure
Darning needle or tapestry needle
Scissors
Stitch markers

Abbreviations / Knitting Abbreviations And Terms (US And UK) 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.

Knit Cuff >

Using 4.5 mm needles for the child sizes / 5 mm (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.

Start Heel >

K 15 (15, 15, 15, 19, 19) turn, leave remaining sts on needles for instep.
On 15 (15, 15, 15, 19, 19) sts, work 7 (7, 7, 7, 9, 9) rows in stocking stitch (stockinette st).

Shape Heel >

Row 1 – K9, (9, 9, 9, 11, 11) turn.
Row 2 – S1, P2, turn.
Row 3 – S1, K1, S1, K1, PSSO, K1, turn.
Row 4 – S1, P2, P2tog, P1, turn.
Row 5 – S1, K3, S1, K1, PSSO, K1, turn.
Row 6 – S1, P4, P2tog, P1, turn.
Row 7 – S1, K5, S1, K1, PSSO, turn.
Row 8 – S1, P5, P2tog, P1 (1, 1, 1, 3, 3). (9, 9, 9, 9, 13, 13) sts

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 to get your desired length.

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.

Is Knitting Socks For Beginners?

Knitting socks can be a bit more challenging than some other beginner projects, but it’s absolutely achievable if you’re up for learning new techniques and following instructions carefully. Here’s what to consider:

Advantages:

Portability: Sock projects are often small and portable, making them convenient for on-the-go knitting.
Versatility: Once you master sock knitting, you can create various styles, from simple everyday socks to intricate patterns.
Skill Development: Knitting socks can teach you valuable techniques like working in the round, using double-pointed needles or circular needles, shaping the heel and toe, and more.

Challenges:

New Techniques: Sock knitting involves techniques like knitting in the round, turning heels, and grafting toes, which might be new for beginners.
Precision: Socks often require a more precise gauge to fit properly, and getting the right fit might take some practice.
Patience: Some aspects, like turning the heel or grafting the toe, can be a bit fiddly and may require patience and attention to detail.

Tips for Beginners:

Start Simple: Begin with basic sock patterns or tutorials designed for beginners.
Use Thicker Yarn: Thicker yarn and larger needles can make it easier to see your stitches and understand the construction.
Practice Techniques: Before starting on a full sock, practice techniques like knitting in the round on a smaller project.
Follow Patterns Carefully: Pay close attention to pattern instructions, especially for heel and toe shaping.

While knitting socks might pose a bit of a challenge initially, mainly because of the heel turn, many beginners have successfully tackled sock projects and found it to be a rewarding endeavor.

If you’re willing to learn new skills and take on a project that might require a bit more attention to detail, knitting socks could be a wonderful way to expand your knitting abilities!

Are Socks Hard To Knit?

Knitting socks can be challenging, especially for beginners, but they’re definitely achievable with practice and patience.

Here are some aspects that might make sock knitting challenging:

1. Knitting in the Round:

Socks are usually knit in the round, which requires familiarity with using double-pointed needles (DPNs) or circular needles. For beginners, this technique might take some getting used to.

2. Shaping the Heel and Toe:

Turning the heel and shaping the toe of the sock involve specific techniques that might be new and require careful attention to instructions.

3. Precision and Gauge:

Socks need to fit well, so achieving the right gauge (stitch and row count per inch) is crucial. Achieving the correct gauge might take practice and adjustment.

4. Finer Details:

Some parts, like picking up stitches for the gusset or grafting the toe closed, can be a bit fiddly and might require extra focus.

Tips to Make Sock Knitting Easier:

Start Simple: Choose a beginner-friendly sock pattern or tutorial.
Use Thicker Yarn: Consider starting with thicker yarn and larger needles for your first pair.
Practice Techniques: Familiarize yourself with techniques like knitting in the round and short rows before attempting a full sock.
Follow Instructions: Pay close attention to instructions for heel and toe shaping.

While knitting socks might present challenges, many beginners have successfully mastered sock knitting and found it to be a rewarding skill.

Starting with simpler patterns, understanding the basic construction, and practicing techniques can make the process more manageable and enjoyable.

More Free Patterns

You may also like this baby socks knitting pattern (stripes) and this collection of Sock Knitting Patterns You Will Love!.

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

Free Knitting Patterns For Christmas

Share your work with us…

I love seeing your finished projects on social media.

If you enjoyed making the basic 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.

You can also find us on Ravelry.

Happy knitting!