Striped Socks Knitting Pattern

This striped socks knitting pattern is a great pattern for those of you out there who love stripes!

You can make a pair of socks in all sorts of color combinations, from neutrals to pastel hues and bold brights.

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 (including a basic sock) 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. Learn everything about fingering weight yarn. – 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. – What Is Worsted Weight Yarn?

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

Related Post: Free Sock Knitting Pattern (Easy + Simple For Beginners)

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 heel stitches/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. 

Notes

Skill Level – Intermediate

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

This is a sock pattern with simple stripes 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).

You can use up scrap yarn in your stash or treat yourself to new yarn, especially for this project (merino wool or something with an acrylic/nylon blend if you don’t like wool).

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.

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.
• Yarn A – 1 Skein x Dark Grey (Cascade 220 Greystone Heather 9491)
• Yarn B – 1 Skein x Light grey (Cascade 220 Silver Grey 8401)
• Yarn C – 1 Skein x White (Cascade 220 Natural 8010)

Needles

• Adult Sizes – 5 mm needles (US 8) 16″ circular needles, 9″ circular knitting needles, or DPNs.
• Child Sizes – 4.5mm (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
• 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 stitch 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.
• Please note the color changes throughout the pattern.
• If you are using a self-striping yarn – you can disregard the color changes.

Cuff >

• Using 4.5mm needles for the child sizes / 5mm (US 8) circular needles for all adult sizes – In Yarn A cast on (long tail cast on) 36 (36, 36, 36, 40, 40) sts.
• Work 6 rounds in 1×1 ribbing – (*K1, P1* to end).

Leg >

• Rounds 4-6 using Yarn C: K to the end of the round.
• Rounds 7-9 using Yarn B: K to the end of the round.
• Rounds 10-12: using Yarn A: K to the end of the round.
• Rep rounds 4-12 three (for the L/XL sizes four) more times.

Start Heel >

• Using Yarn A, K 15 (15, 15, 15, 19, 19) turn, and leave remaining stitches 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 (the working yarn) 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, change to Yarn C and K to the end of the round.

Foot >

Cont as follows >

• Round 1 – Using Yarn C – K2tog, K17 (17, 17, 17, 25, 25), K2tog, K to the end of the round.
• Round 2 – Using Yarn C – K2tog, K15 (15, 15, 15, 23, 23), K2tog, K to the end of the round.
• Round 3 – Using Yarn C – K2tog, K13 (13, 13, 13, 21, 21), K2tog, P1, change to Yarn B, K to the end of the round.
• Round 4 – (L and XL size only) In Yarn B – K2tog, K19, K2tog, K to the end of the round.

Child sizes/Adult S/M Sizes Only

• Rounds 4-6 – Using Yarn B – K to the end of the round.
• *Remember you will change to Yarn A mid-round in round 6.
• Rounds 7-9 – Using Yarn A – K to the end of the round.
• *Remember you will change to Yarn C mid-round in round 10.

Keeping the stripe pattern correct, work the following for your size…

• Child 4/6 years – Work 18 rounds.
• Child 8/10 years – Work 24 rounds.
• S Size – Work 30 rounds.
• M Size – Work 36 rounds.

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

Adult L/XL Sizes Only

• Rounds 5-7 – K to the end of the round.
• *Remember you will change to Yarn A mid-round in round 6.
• Rounds 8-10 – Using Yarn A – K to the end of the round.
• *Remember you will change to Yarn C mid-round in round 10.

Keeping the stripe pattern correct, work the following for your size…

• L Size – Work 42 rounds.
• XL Size – Work 45 rounds.

*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 >

• 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 S/M size and 15 sts on each needle for the L/XL size.

Graft the toe using the Kitchener stitch.

Weave in all loose ends.

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.

Share your work with us…

I love seeing your finished projects.

If you enjoyed making the striped 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!