This is a free sock knitting pattern for simple, cuff down socks with a square heel and shaped toe. This sock knitting pattern was designed by Hanna Gough in 2020, and it remains one of the most popular patterns for knitting socks with 4ply yarn.
If you’re not yet feeling confident with knitting in the round I do have a flat knit sock pattern here.
This is one of my best-known sock knitting patterns, and is perfect for those of you who know how to knit, but want to try knitting socks in the round.
Scroll down to find my simple, cuff down beginner sock knitting pattern. It’s free to read, but if you’d prefer a handy PDF, there’s one here.
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For this sock knitting pattern, I recommend needles such as addi aluminium DPNs , Knitpro or addi circular needles for knitting in the round.
You will need:
100g of 4ply sock yarn (400m per 100g) such as WYS signature 4ply (main photo is Bright Side)
Darning needle
4 Stitch markers
2.5mm circular (80cm cable for magic loop) or DPNs or size needed for gauge.
Gauge:
35 sts / 10cm (4”)
Leg/foot circumference:
Size 1: 7 in/17cm
Size 2: 8 in/20cm
Size 3: 9 in/23cm
Cuff
Loosely cast on 56 (64 72) sts, join to work in the round.
Work in 1×1 twisted rib for 2 in/5cm
Leg
Place a marker after the first 28 (32 36) sts to establish halfway point. K all rounds until piece measures 7.25” 18cm from cast on.
Heel
Rnd 1:
M1R, PM (marker 2) and knit 28 (32, 36) stitches, PM (marker 3) and M1L. SM (marker 1). K to end of round.
Rnd 2:
K all stitches in round slipping markers as you come to them.
Rnd 3:
K to marker 2 , M1R, SM, K 28 (32, 36) sts, SM and M1L. SM. K 28 (32, 36) sts to end of round.
Repeat rounds 2 and 3 until you have created 20 (22, 24) stitches.
Turn heel:
Working only with the first 48 (54, 60) sts cont as follows:
Short row 1: (RS) K to marker, SM, K 17 (20, 23) sts, S1, K1 PSSO. This will now be referred to as SKP. Turn the work around.
Short row 2: (WS) P 7 (9, 11) sts, P2tog. Turn.
Short row 3: (RS) K to 1 stitch before the gap which has formed. SKP. Turn.
Short row 4: (WS) P until 1 stitch before gap. P2tog. Turn.
Repeat rows 3 and 4 until there are 28 (32,36) sts between the beginning of the round and the halfway marker (marker 1). This was the amount that you started with and your work should be right side facing with marker 2 on your right hand needle. 56 (64, 72) sts in total.
Set up in the round:
Rnd 1:
Remove marker 2. Insert needle as though making a M1R but instead of knitting, slip the twisted stitch on to right hand needle. K1 and PSSO. K to marker 3, remove marker 3, insert needle as though making a M1L but slip the twisted stitch onto left hand needle and K2tog. SM, K to end.
Foot:
K all rounds until foot measures 1 in/2.5cm less than desired length.
Toe
Rnd 1: *SKP, K 26 (28, 34) ( K2tog* Repeat* until end of round. (4 sts decreased in total)
Rnd 2:: K to end of round.
Rnd 3: *SKP, K to 2 sts before marker, K2tog* repeat to end.
Repeat round 1 and 2 until you have 36 (36, 40) sts in total.
THEN, decrease on every round until you have 20 (20, 24) sts in total. Remove marker 1.
Finishing:
Using kitchener method, graft the remaining stitches together to close the toe. Weave in ends.
Glossary:
K1 P1 twisted rib: Knit through the back loop, purl as normal.
BOR: Beginning of round.
PM: Place Marker
SM: Slip marker.
M1R: Pick up the bar between the stitch you have just knitted and the next stitch, bringing the needle from the back to the front. Knit into the front.
M1L: Pick up the bar between the stitch you have just knitted and the one you are about to knit bringing the needle from the front to the back. Knit into the back of the stitch.
SL: Slip stitch
PSSO: Pass slipped stitch over the knitted stitch.
P2tog: Purl two stitches together.
SKP: Slip one, knit one, PSSO.
K2tog: Knit two stitches together.
Thank you for reading this sock knitting pattern. If you’ve made a pair, why not share a photo in the comments? Let others know what yarn you used and start the discussion! Sock knitting brings lots of people together and can be really handy when you want a quick, satisfying project but don’t have a lot of time.