Even though Mother Nature didn’t read the memo that spring arrived 2 days ago, I sure did. Along with spring comes wearing capris and shorts which means it’s time to put the long socks away and bring out the footies. This is a pair of socks I knitted up for my amazing daughter in honor of spring!
Aren’t the colors simply beautiful? The yarn I used is Wellness 3 color 1322 from Supersocke that I purchased from Little Knits.
One of the nice things about knitting footies is they are so quick to knit up. Also, the yarn I used is a skein big enough for a pair of regular socks so that means I can get 2 pairs of footies from one skein! (Before you assume you can get two pairs from a skein, bring out your food scale and weigh your completed pair along with the remaining yarn.) Also, with the striping of the yarn, it makes the simple stockinette stitch not so boring.
If you’re an intermediate knitter and have either (a) never knit socks before or (b) never knit toe-up socks, this is a quick and easy way to learn a new skill. Here’s my instructions and I am including links to videos if you’d like a bit more instruction.
Simple Toe Up Knit Footies
- Aproximately 225 yards/50 grams fingering weight yarn (7.5-8 stitches/inch)
- Size 1.5 (2.5mm) needles (I use 1 long cable needle for the magic loop method)
- 1 yarn sewing needle
Using two needles, cast on 24 stitches using Judy’s magic cast on with 12 stitches on each needle.
Securing tail, knit first 12 stitches. Knit second 12 stitches through the back loop.
Now that we have cast on, we need to gradually increase the number of toe stitches.
If using one or two circular needle knitting method, increases (kfb) are made at the beginning and end of each needle as follows:
- Round 1. On 1st needle, kfb, knit to last stitch on needle, kfb; On 2nd needle, kfb, knit to last stitch on needle, kfb.
- Round 2. Knit all stitches.
If using double points, arrange stitches evenly with 6 stitches on 4 needles. Increases (kfb) are made as follows:
- Round 1. Kfb, knit to last stitch on 2nd needle, kfb, kfb into 1st stitch on 3rd needle, knit to last stitch on 4th needle, kfb.
- Round 2. Knit all stitches.
All needle types: Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until toe reaches 60(68) stitches.
Now that the toe is completed, it’s time to knit the foot.
Continue knitting in pattern until foot measures 2” less than desired length of foot ending after an even numbered row. This is fairly mindless knitting so be sure you don’t knit too far. Just occasionally slip your in-progress sock on your foot to see how far you need to continue to knit.
Next, we need to knit the heel. I have chosen to knit a Short Row Heel. I will write out the instructions but the Short Row Heel technique can be see in these two videos: part 1 and part 2. (This heel is worked the same whether you are knitting your sock toe-up or cuff down).
Heel – when knitting the heel, you will only be working half of your stitches (the sole) while the other half of your stitches rest. (This first part is what is covered in the part 1 video.)
Row 1. Knit to last stitch on heel, W&T.
Row 2. Purl to last stitch on heel, W&T.
Row 3. Knit to stitch before wrapped stitch, W&T.
Row 4. Purl to stitch before wrapped stitch, W&T.
Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until there are 12unwrapped center stitches ending after
Row 4. There will be 11 wrapped stitches on each side of the center stitches.
You are now halfway through your heel. You will turn your heel and complete your heel by picking up stitches. (This part is what is covered in the part 2 video).
- Row 1. Slip 1, knit to 1st wrapped stitch, lift front leg of wrap from front to back (placing left leg of wrap in front of needle) and knit it together with next stitch through the back loop, turn.
- Row 2. Slip 1, purl to 1st wrapped stitch, lift back leg of wrap from back to front (placing right leg of wrap on front of needle) and purl it together with next stitch, turn.
- Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until 1 wrapped stitch remains on each side of heel ending after Row 2.
Slip 1, knit across heel stitches and unwrap last stitch on knit side leaving one remaining wrapped stitch on the purl side. (Do not go back and unwrap!)
Knit across the instep
Unwrap last remaining wrap on the knit side by lifting wrap on needle (as on previous knit rows) and knit it together with next stitch through the back loop. Knit remainder of heel stitches.
All that is left now is the cuff.
- Row 1, Knit 2 Purl 2, repeat for the entire round.
- Repeat Row 1 5 times (for a total of 6 rows)
Danni Baird @ Silo Hill Farm
Knitting and crochet…two things I have never been able to do…and yours are so lovely!
Toni Barsi
I’ve been meaning to knit a bair of socks for forever, but I always chicken out. This pair really does look lovely though, and the colors are so fun!
Rose : Fine Craft Guild
Thank you for linking this pattern up with us in our linky party. I love socks like this!