Spiral Socks, Mittens and Calot Set – Free Vintage Knitting Pattern

Bring a touch of timeless texture to your winter wardrobe with this Spiral Socks, Mittens and Calot Set, originally published in Spool Cotton #174 (Socks and Mittens for the Family). This 1940s pattern features a distinctive spiral rib texture that creates a snug, stretchy fit — without complicated shaping or cables.
The result? A beautifully coordinated set that’s just as cozy and stylish today as it was decades ago.
Perfect for vintage knit lovers, this pattern includes instructions for mittens, a calot (cap), and socks in children’s, women’s, and men’s sizes.

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What you need

Yarn: Chadwick’s Red Heart Sweater Wool (1 oz. balls)

 

Mittens: 2 balls (children’s/women’s), 3 balls (men’s)

 

Calot: 1 ball

 

Ankle Socks: 3 balls (children’s), 4 balls (women’s/men’s)

 

Regulation Socks: 3 balls (children’s), 6 balls (men’s)

 

Knee Socks: 4 balls (children’s), 6 balls (women’s)

 

Needles: 4 double-pointed steel needles No. 10

 

Gauge: 9 rounds = 1 inch

Instructions

Spiral Socks, Mittens and Calot Set Pattern #375
from Spool Cotton #174 – Socks and Mittens for the Family,

Pattern Stitch

1st, 2nd and 3rd rnds: *K 2, p 2. Repeat from * around.
4th, 5th and 6th rnds: P 1, k 2, p 2. Repeat from * around, ending with k 2, p 1.
7th, 8th and 9th rnds: P 2, k 2. Repeat from * around.
10th, 11th and 12th rnds: K 1, p 2, k 2. Repeat from * around, ending with p 2, k 1.

Repeat these 12 rounds for the pattern.

SPIRAL MITTENS No. 375

Sizes

Children’s – Women’s – Men’s

Starting at the cuff, cast on:
40 sts (Children’s)
48 sts (Women’s)
56 sts (Men’s)

Divide sts on 3 needles. Join, being careful not to twist, and work in ribbing of k1, p1 for:
2″ (Children’s)
2½” (Women’s)
3″ (Men’s)

Work in Pattern Stitch until piece measures, in all:
4″ (Children’s)
5″ (Women’s)
6″ (Men’s)

Next rnd: Drop yarn and with contrasting color thread for marker, work across the first:
6 sts (Children’s)
7 sts (Women’s)
8 sts (Men’s)

Drop marker, return to yarn, and continue in Pattern Stitch until mitten measures from end of ribbing (ending with 12th rnd of Pattern Stitch):
4¾” (Children’s)
6″ (Women’s)
7¼” (Men’s)
— or about 1″ less than desired length.

To Shape Tip

1st rnd: K 2, p 2. Repeat from * around.
2nd rnd: K 2, p 2 tog. Repeat from * around.
3rd rnd: K 2, p 1. Repeat from * around.
4th–6th rnds: P 1, k 2. Repeat from * around.
7th rnd: K 1, p 1, k 2. Repeat from * around, ending k 1.
Slip 1 st from beginning of 1st needle onto end of 3rd needle.
8th rnd: P 1, k 2 tog. Repeat from * around.
9th rnd: P 1, k 1. Repeat from * around.
10th rnd: K 1, p 1. Repeat from * around.
11th rnd: K 2 tog. around.

Break yarn, leaving 8″ end. Thread through remaining sts, draw tight, and darn in securely.

Thumb

Draw out marker. Pick up thumb sts on 2 needles —
Outer needle: 6–7–8 sts
Inner needle: 7–8–9 sts

Attach yarn. With 1st needle, knit across outer sts. With 2nd needle, pick up 1 st between needles and k 4 sts. With 3rd needle, knit remaining sts and pick up 1 st before 1st needle.
(15–17–19 sts total)

Knit in stockinette (k every rnd) until thumb measures:
1¾” – 2″ – 2¼” or ½” from fingertip.

Tip Shaping:
1st dec rnd: K 2, k 2 tog. Repeat from * around.
K 2 rnds plain.
2nd dec rnd: K 1, k 2 tog. Repeat from * around.
K 1 rnd plain.
Next rnd: K 2 tog. around.
Break yarn, draw through remaining sts, and fasten securely.

CALOT No. 375 (Medium Size)

Starting at headband, cast on 104 sts. Divide evenly on 3 needles and join.
Work in k1, p1 ribbing for 12 rnds.

Now begin pattern:
1st–3rd rnds: K 4, p 4. Repeat from * around.
4th–6th rnds: P 1, k 4, p 4, ending p 3.
7th–9th rnds: P 2, k 4, p 4, ending p 2.
10th–12th rnds: P 3, k 4, p 4, ending p 1.
13th–15th rnds: P 4, k 4. Repeat from * around.
16th–18th rnds: K 1, p 4, k 4, ending k 3.
19th–21st rnds: K 2, p 4, k 4, ending k 2.
22nd–24th rnds: K 3, p 4, k 4, ending k 1.
25th rnd: Same as 1st rnd.
26th rnd: Dec 1 st in each k rib (91 sts).
27th rnd: K 3, p 4. Repeat from * around.
28th rnd: P 1, k 3, p 4, ending p 3.
29th rnd: Dec 1 st in each p rib (78 sts).
30th rnd: P 1, k 3, p 3, ending p 2.

Continue moving the spiral pattern 1 st on every 3rd rnd, decreasing alternately in p and k ribs every pattern-move until 26 sts remain.
Work 2 rnds of k1, p1, then k2 tog around.
Break yarn, thread through remaining 13 sts, and draw tight.

Top Piece

With crochet hook, ch 20. Work 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each across. Join ends to form a ring, fasten off, and sew to top of calot, curling into a small spiral.

ANKLE LENGTH SOCKS No. 375

Sizes

Children’s – Women’s – Men’s

Cast on loosely:
48 – 56 – 64 sts.
Divide evenly on 3 needles. Join and work in k1, p1 rib for 1½”.
Work in Pattern Stitch until piece measures:
10″ – 11½” – 12½” (Small)
11″ – 12½” – 13½” (Medium)
12″ – 13½” – 14½” (Large)

To Shape Toe

1st rnd: K 2, p 2. Repeat from * around.
2nd rnd: K 2, p 2 tog. Repeat from * around.
3rd rnd: K 2, p 1. Repeat from * around.
4th–6th rnds: P 1, k 2. Repeat from * around.
7th rnd: K 1, p 1, k 2. Repeat from * around, ending k 1.
Slip 1 st from 1st to 3rd needle.
8th rnd: P 1, k 2 tog. Repeat from * around.
9th rnd: P 1, k 1. Repeat from * around.
10th rnd: K 1, p 1. Repeat from * around.
11th rnd: K 2 tog. around.

Weave remaining sts or bind off and sew closed.

REGULATION LENGTH SOCKS No. 375

Sizes

Children’s – Men’s

Cast on as for Ankle Length Socks and rib:
2″ (Children’s) – 4″ (Men’s)

Work in pattern until total length measures:
13″ – 18″ (Small)
14″ – 19″ (Medium)
15″ – 20″ (Large)

Shape toe as for Ankle Socks.

KNEE LENGTH SOCKS No. 375

Sizes

Children’s – Men’s

Cast on as before and work ribbing for 2″.
Work in pattern stitch until total length measures:
17″ – 22″ (Small)
18″ – 23″ (Medium)
19″ – 24″ (Large)

Shape toe as directed above.

Finishing

Press lightly through a damp cloth to shape.
Avoid stretching the spiral pattern too tightly to preserve its twist.