Anatomy of a Knitted Sock
A knitted sock consists of several parts: cuff (ribbing), leg, heel, foot, and toe. Each part has a specific technique — the cuff is knitted in ribbing, the leg and foot in stockinette stitch, and the heel and toe require shaping (decreasing and increasing stitches).
What You'll Need
Yarn: Sock yarn (fingering weight, category 1) — typically a wool and nylon blend (75/25). Nylon adds durability. Approximately 100g per pair.
Needles: Double-pointed needles (DPN) 2.5–3mm, set of 5. Or circular needles for the magic loop method.
Two Strategies
Top-Down (Cuff-Down)
Traditional method. You start with the cuff, knit the leg, then heel, foot, and toe. Advantage: simple, most patterns use this method. Disadvantage: if you run out of yarn, you can't extend the toe.
Toe-Up
Modern method. You start with the toe, knit the foot, heel, and leg, finishing with the cuff. Advantage: you knit until you have yarn — optimal usage. Disadvantage: different heel techniques and cast-off.
Heel Types
Heel Flap + Gusset — traditional. You knit a flat rectangle (heel flap), then turn it (turn heel) and pick up stitches along the sides (gusset). Strong, durable heel.
Short Row Heel — you knit the heel using short rows without picking up stitches. Simpler but less durable. Popular with toe-up socks.
Basic Pattern (Cuff-Down, 64 Stitches)
Cuff: Cast on 64 stitches, divide onto 4 needles with 16 each. Join in the round. Knit 2×2 ribbing — 15–20 rounds.
Leg: Stockinette stitch (knit stitches all around) — knit desired length (typically 15–18cm from cuff to heel).
Heel Flap: On 32 stitches (half) knit back and forth: knit row — *slip 1, knit 1*, purl row — purl. 32 rows.
Turn Heel: Decrease in the middle of the heel flap — knit 2 together on both sides of the center panel until 10–12 stitches remain.
Gusset Pick-up: Pick up stitches along the sides of the heel flap + instep stitches. Decrease 2 stitches every other round along the foot sides until you have 64 stitches again.
Foot: Stockinette stitch all around — knit to foot length minus 5cm (toe).
Toe: Decrease on both sides every other round (knit 2 together at the beginning of instep and sole). When 8–10 stitches remain on each side, graft with Kitchener stitch.
Tips
Knit both socks simultaneously (on two circular needles or magic loop) — they'll be identical. If knitting one after the other, measure lengths and count rows on the first and write them down. Choose yarn with nylon — pure wool wears through quickly at the heel and toe.
