Your First Knitted Sock for Beginners

Instructions

Tap a section when you finish it.

1. 1Cast on and ribbingCast on 48 (56) sts and divide them over 4 needles, 12 (14) per needle. Join to work in the round, making sure the stitches are not twisted, and place a marker. Work *k2, p2* rib for 15 rounds (about 4.5 cm). The rib keeps the leg up, so try not to knit it loosely.
2. 2LegKnit every round until the sock measures 15 cm from the cast-on edge (about 33 more rounds). End the last round at the end of needle 4. The heel will be worked over the 24 (28) sts of needles 1 and 4; the 24 (28) sts on needles 2 and 3 are held for the instep.
3. 3Heel flapGather the stitches of needles 1 and 4 onto one needle (24 (28) sts) and work back and forth in rows. Row 1 (RS): *sl 1, k1* to end. Row 2 (WS): sl 1, purl to end. Repeat these 2 rows for a total of 24 (28) rows. Each side of the flap now has 12 (14) slipped edge stitches, which you will pick up shortly.
4. 4Heel turnShort rows shape the cup of the heel; turn at the end of each row, leaving the remaining stitches unworked. Row 1 (RS): sl 1, k13 (15), ssk, k1, turn. Row 2: sl 1, p5, p2tog, p1, turn. Row 3: sl 1, knit to 1 st before the gap made on the previous row, ssk (the stitches on either side of the gap), k1, turn. Row 4: sl 1, purl to 1 st before the gap, p2tog, p1, turn. Repeat rows 3 and 4 until all stitches have been worked; on the last two rows, skip the k1 / p1 if no stitches remain after the decrease (14 (16) sts).
5. 5Picking up the gussetWith the RS facing, knit across all heel stitches. With the same needle pick up 1 st in each of the 12 (14) slipped edge stitches of the flap, plus 1 twisted st in the corner gap. Knit across the instep stitches on needles 2 and 3. With a spare needle pick up 1 st in the corner and 12 (14) sts along the other edge, then knit the first 7 (8) heel stitches onto this needle. The round now begins at the center of the heel: needle 1 has 20 (23), needles 2 and 3 have 12 (14) each, needle 4 has 20 (23) sts (64 (74) sts).
6. 6Gusset decreasesRound 1 (decrease): needle 1: knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1; needles 2 and 3: knit; needle 4: k1, ssk, knit to end (2 sts decreased). Round 2: knit all stitches. Repeat these 2 rounds 8 (9) times in total, until needles 1 and 4 have 12 (14) sts each (48 (56) sts).
7. 7FootContinue knitting every round. Measure from the back of the heel and work until the foot is 4.5 (5.5) cm shorter than your foot length, for example 19.5 cm for a 24 cm foot. If you can, try the sock on while it is still on the needles to check that it reaches the base of your toes.
8. 8ToeRound 1 (decrease): needle 1: knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1; needle 2: k1, ssk, knit to end; needle 3: knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1; needle 4: k1, ssk, knit to end (4 sts decreased). Round 2: knit. Repeat these 2 rounds until 24 (28) sts remain. Then work the decrease round every round until 16 sts remain. Place the stitches of needles 1 and 4 on one needle (8 sts) and those of needles 2 and 3 on another (8 sts).
9. 9FinishingCut the yarn leaving a 30 cm tail and graft the two sets of stitches together with Kitchener stitch using the tapestry needle. Weave in the ends on the inside of the sock; if small holes remain at the heel corners, close them with a few tight stitches using the tail. Knit the second sock the same way, then wash both in lukewarm water and dry them flat on a towel to block.