Hand-knitted socks are all the rage, but did you know you can crochet them, too? Find out how with this basic pattern for crocheted socks.

Joan's crocheted socks
Designed by Lion Brand Yarn

These crocheted socks, like their knitted cousins, are basic yet versatile and a great opportunity to practice your crochet skills!

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Size
Women's S (M)
Sample shown: 10" long x 8.5" around ball of foot (25 cm x 21.5 cm)

Materials
• Lion Brand Lion Wool 100% wool (3 oz/85 g, 158 yd/144 m ball): 2 balls #113 Scarlet, or colour of your choice
• Crochet hooks sizes G-6 and H-8 (4 and 5 mm) [sizes H-8 and I-9 (5 and 5.5 mm)], or size to obtain gauge
• large-eyed, blunt needle

Gauge
For S: 5 single crochet = 1" (2.5 cm) with size H-8 (5 mm) hook.
For M: 4 single crochet = 1" (2.5 cm) with size I-9 (5.5 mm) hook.

Be sure to check your gauge.

Notes
These socks are easy to make in one flat piece. When finished, they will resemble Turkish knitted socks, with the heel appearing to stick out when folded. On the foot, however, they fit exactly as a commercial sock.

The leg can be made longer by crocheting the leg section an inch or two (2.5 – 5 cm) longer. The length of the foot can also be increased, ensuring that the top and bottom of the foot are the same length.

Ribbing
With smaller hook, chain 11.
Row 1: Single crochet in 2nd chain from hook, single crochet in each chain across, turn – 10 single crochet.
Row 2: Chain 1, working in back loops only, single crochet in each single crochet across, turn – 10 single crochet.
Repeat Row 2 for 40 more rows. Do not turn. Working along side of ribbing, work 1 single crochet in each row, turn – 40 single crochet.

Leg
With larger hook, work back and forth in single crochet, working through both loops, on 40 stitches until piece measures 7" (18 cm) from beginning of sock. Cut yarn.

Top of foot
Row 1: With right side facing and larger hook, join yarn in 11th stitch from edge, chain 1, single crochet in same stitch, single crochet in each of next 19 single crochet, turn.
Row 2: Chain 1, single crochet in each single crochet across. Turn – 20 single crochet.
Repeat Row 2 until piece measures 6" (15 cm) above joining or desired length, allowing 2" (5 cm) for toe, ending on wrong side. Note: The heel will add another 2" (5 cm). Measure foot and subtract 4" (10 cm) total for heel and toe to determine desired length.

Top of toe
*Row 1: Chain 1, decrease 1 single crochet in next 2 single crochet, single crochet across to within last 2 single crochet, decrease 1 stitch in next 2 single crochet, turn.
Row 2: Chain 1, work even in single crochet, turn.
Repeat last two rows until 10 single crochet remain, ending with Row 2.

Bottom of toe
Row 1: Chain 1, 2 single crochet in first single crochet, single crochet across to last single crochet, 2 single crochet in last single crochet, turn.
Row 2: Chain 1, work even in single crochet, turn.
Repeat last 2 rows until there are 20 single crochet.*

Bottom of foot
Work even on 20 single crochet until piece measures 6" (15 cm) or same length as straight portion of foot.

Heel
Repeat from * to * as for toe shaping. Fasten off.

Finishing
Sew back leg seam. Fold sock in middle of the toe and sew both sides of foot. Fold the heel in half, as with toe, and sew sides. Position the heel piece so that centre of heel is in line with leg seam, and sew.


Excerpted from Lion Brand Yarn: Just Socks, edited by Shannon Okey. Copyright 2007 by Lion Brand Yarn Company. Excerpted with permission from Potter Craft, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced except with permission in writing from the publisher.