The Knit Guru

My dream has been to re-live my 90’s nostalgia…. which, for me right now, is slouchy socks. These are not quite yet my ultimate dream – but they knit up very quickly for socks, and are super comfy, and look so cool in the Opal yarn. This pattern makes a comfortable sock for a size 40-42 foot.

You can also get an interactive version of this pattern over here on Ribblr.

You will need:
– 4mm knitting needles (I use 2 circulars for socks, you can use whatever you prefer)
– 8ply/DK sock yarn (I used Opal)
– Darning needle and scissors
– Stitch marker (if using a magic loop, or other methods, you may want more than one stitch marker)

Make 2 socks

Cuff on the top of the sock

Cast on 40 stitches
Rib 20 rows with a knit 1, purl 1 rib

Knit 12 rows

Rib 6 rows with a knit 1, purl 1 rib

Knit 12 rows

Rib 6 rows with a knit 1, purl 1 rib

Knit 12 rows

Rib 6 rows with a knit 1, purl 1 rib

Heel flap

On just the first 20 stitches of the sock (or in my case, all the stitches on one circular needle)
Slip 1 purlwise with yarn in back, (knit 1, slip one with yarn in back) – repeat over the whole row ending on a knit 1
Slip 1, purl to the end of the row
Repeat these 2 rows over 28 rows. This will create 14 knit stitches that are stretched over 2 rows- which are easier to count.

Heel turn

Set up rows:
Slip 1, knit 10, knit 2 together, knit 1, turn
Slip 1, purl 3, purl 2 together, purl 1, turn

Knit to one stitch before the gap. Knit 2 together, knit 1, turn your work
Purl to one stitch before the gap. Purl 2 together, purl 1, turn your work

Repeat these 2 rows until you have reached the end of the rows (run out of gaps before the turn if that makes sense) THEN
Slip 1, knit to the last 2 stitches, knit 2 together
Slip 1, purl to the last 2 stitches, purl 2 together

You should now have 10 stitches remaining on this needle. Place a stitch marker in the middle – leaving 5 stitches on each side of the marker.

Rejoin in the round

Slip 1, knit to the end of the needle (or the end of the heel turn). Pick up 14 stitches along the side of the heel flap, pick up 1 stitch from the “yarn bridge” between the last stitch created and the next stitch on the other needle. Knit along the 20 stitches on the top of the foot. Pick up the “yarn bridge” between the last stitch on the needle and the first stitch to be picked up along the side, pick up 14 stitches along the side of the heel flap. Knit to the stitch marker. This stitch marker is now the start of the row for the time being.

Reducing stitches down the side of the sock

Row 1: Knit to the last 3 stitches from end of your needle, knit 2 together, knit 1, knit 20 stitches on needle 2, knit 1, SSK (slip 2 stitches as if to knit, then insert the left needle through the back of the loops together, and knit them together), knit to the marker.
Row 2: Knit all the stitches

Continue these 2 rows until you have 20 stitches remaining on needle 1 (or 10 stitches on either side of the stitch marker).

Remove the stitch marker and return to the original start of the rows.

Knit until your sock is approximately 2 1/2 cms shorter than your foot length – or to the base of your big toe.

Toe shaping

Row 1: SSK, knit to the last 2 stitches on the needle, knit 2 together (needle 2), SSK, knit to the last 2 stitches on the needle, knit 2 together.

Row 2: Knit all the stitches

Continue this shaping until you have 20 stitches remaining – or 10 on each needle.

Using a kitchener graft, close the toe of your sock.