If you’ve been looking for a project that’s a step up from basic scarves and hats, or you simply want to add a new handmade pair to your sock drawer, this pattern is a wonderful choice.
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What you need
- 1 x 100g ball of 4 ply sock yarn
- Yarn amounts may vary between knitters
- 1 set 2.25mm knitting needles (or size needed to achieve correct tension)
- Blunt needle for sewing in ends and grafting toes
Instructions
Knitting socks can feel a little intimidating the first time around, but once you understand the basic shape — cuff, leg, heel, gusset, foot and toe — it all starts to make sense. This pretty lace-top sock pattern is a lovely step up from a plain sock, with just enough detail at the cuff to make it feel special without turning into one of those “why did I start this?” projects.
The lace cuff gives these socks a feminine finish, while the rest of the sock is worked in simple stocking stitch. They are a great project for knitters who are ready to try sock knitting, or for experienced knitters who want a pretty, practical pair to add to the handmade sock drawer.
What You Need
1 x 100g ball of 4 ply sock yarn
1 set of 2.25mm double-pointed knitting needles, or size needed to achieve tension
Blunt yarn needle for sewing in ends and grafting the toe
Yarn amounts may vary depending on foot length, tension and how long you make the leg.
Tension
35 sts to 10cm over stocking stitch using 2.25mm needles.
Always check your tension before starting. Socks need a nice snug fit, and even a small change in tension can make a big difference once the sock is on the foot.
Abbreviations
K = knit
P = purl
st st = stocking stitch
st/sts = stitch/stitches
rep = repeat
beg = beginning
cont = continue
rem = remaining
patt = pattern
sl = slip
tog = together
K2tog = knit 2 stitches together
P2tog = purl 2 stitches together
yfwd = yarn forward
psso = pass slipped stitch over
Pattern Notes
This pattern is worked from the cuff down.
The lace top is worked over a 5-stitch repeat. The sock begins with 60 stitches, which gives 12 repeats around the cuff.
To make both socks match, begin each sock at the same point in the yarn colour sequence if using self-striping or patterned sock yarn.
Socks
Using 2.25mm needles, cast on 60 sts.
Divide the stitches evenly over 3 needles, placing 20 sts on each needle. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.
Lace Top Cuff
Round 1: *K3, P2; rep from * to end.
Round 2: As Round 1.
Round 3: *K2tog, yfwd, K1, P2; rep from * to end.
Round 4: As Round 1.
Round 5: As Round 1.
Round 6: As Round 1.
Round 7: *K1, yfwd, sl1, K1, psso, P2; rep from * to end.
Round 8: As Round 1.
Repeat these 8 rounds until the cuff measures approximately 9cm from the cast-on edge.
Leg
Continue in stocking stitch, knitting every round, until the leg measures approximately 15cm from the cast-on edge, or until the leg is your desired length.
Divide for Heel
Knit the first 15 sts onto one needle.
Slip the last 15 sts from the previous round onto the same needle. These 30 sts will form the heel.
Divide the remaining 30 sts evenly over 2 needles for the instep. Leave these instep stitches unworked while shaping the heel.
Heel Flap
Work backwards and forwards on the 30 heel sts only.
Row 1: Sl1 knitwise, K to end.
Row 2: Sl1 purlwise, P to end.
Repeat these 2 rows until 27 heel flap rows have been worked.
Turn Heel
Row 1: K17, K2tog, K1, turn.
Row 2: Sl1, P6, P2tog, P1, turn.
Row 3: Sl1, K7, K2tog, K1, turn.
Row 4: Sl1, P8, P2tog, P1, turn.
Continue in this manner, working 1 more stitch before each decrease on every row, until all heel stitches have been worked and 18 sts remain.
Knit across the first 9 heel sts.
The heel is now turned.
Pick Up for Gusset
Slip the instep stitches onto one needle if needed.
Using another needle, knit the remaining 9 heel sts.
Pick up and knit 16 sts along the side of the heel flap.
Knit across the 30 instep sts.
Pick up and knit 16 sts along the other side of the heel flap.
Knit the remaining 9 heel sts.
You should now have 80 sts in total.
Arrange the stitches as follows:
Needle 1: heel and first gusset stitches
Needle 2: 30 instep stitches
Needle 3: second gusset and heel stitches
Decrease for Gusset
Round 1: Knit.
Round 2:
Needle 1: Knit to last 4 sts, K2tog, K2.
Needle 2: Knit across all instep sts.
Needle 3: K2, sl1, K1, psso, knit to end.
Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until 15 sts remain on Needle 1 and 15 sts remain on Needle 3.
You should now have 60 sts in total.
Foot
Continue knitting every round in stocking stitch until the foot measures approximately 5cm shorter than the desired finished foot length, measuring from the back of the heel.
For a smaller women’s size, you may only need to work until the foot measures around 14–15cm from the heel before beginning the toe. For a longer foot, continue knitting until the sock is the right length for the wearer.
Shape Toe
Round 1:
Needle 1: Knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1.
Needle 2: K1, sl1, K1, psso, knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1.
Needle 3: K1, sl1, K1, psso, knit to end.
Round 2: Knit.
Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until 24 sts remain.
Knit 1 round.
Arrange the remaining 24 sts so there are 12 sts on the front needle and 12 sts on the back needle.
Break yarn, leaving a long tail, and graft the toe closed using Kitchener stitch.
Finishing
Sew in all loose ends neatly.
Block lightly if desired, or press gently with a warm iron and a damp cloth. Do not over-press the lace cuff, as you want to keep the soft texture of the stitches.
Make a second sock in the same way.
Now you have a pretty pair of handmade lace-top socks — practical enough for everyday wear, but still sweet enough to feel like a little treat every time you put them on.
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