Keep your toes toasty with this quick-to-knit pattern for wool socks.

Made from a heavy, durable wool, these basic socks are warm and comfortable. The instructions are easy to follow, even for those new to sock knitting. Although the pattern only calls for one or two colours, these socks can actually be made in as many colours as you wish.

Finished measurements
Approximately 8 (8-3/4, 9-1/2, 10-1/2)" [20 (22, 24, 27) cm] for adult Small (Medium, Large, Extra-Large)

Yarn
Approximately 200 (200, 225, 250) yards [190 (190, 206, 229) metres] worsted-weight yarn (MC)
Approximately 50 (50, 75, 75) yards [46 (46, 69, 69) metres] worsted-weight yarn (CC)

Samples shown in Peace Fleece Worsted Weight (70% wool/30% mohair).

Needles
One set of four double-pointed needles (dpn) size US 5 (3.75 mm)
Change needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.

Notions
Stitch marker, yarn needle

Gauge
20 sts and 30 rnds = 4" (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch (St st)

Leg
With MC, CO 40 (44, 48, 52) sts. Distribute sts evenly on three needles. Join for working in the rnd, being careful not to twist sts; place marker for beginning of rnd. Work in k2, p2 ribbing until piece measures 2" [5 cm] from cast-on edge. Change to St st and CC (if using), and begin stripe pattern as follows: *Knit 3 rnds in CC, knit 3 rnds in MC. Repeat from * 5 times. Continue knitting in MC until piece measures 9" [23 cm] from cast-on edge, ending at beginning of rnd.

Heel
Place the next 20 (22, 24, 26) sts on Needle 1 for Heel Flap. Distribute remaining sts evenly on remaining two needles. Using CC, work the sts on Needle 1 [Heel Flap] as follows:

Row 1: (RS) * Slip (sl) 1 st, k1, repeat from * across.
Row 2: (WS) Sl 1 st, purl across.

Repeat rows 1-2 until Heel Flap measures 2-1/2 (2-3/4, 2-3/4, 3)" [6.3 (7, 7, 7.6) cm]. Place st marker at centre of Heel Flap.

Continue decreasing in this manner until the last 2 sts at each end of needle have been knit or purled together, ending with a WS row -- 8 (10, 12, 14) sts remaining.
Turn Heel
Row 1: (RS) Knit to 2 sts past centre marker, k2tog, k1, turn.
Row 2: (WS) Purl to 2 sts past centre marker, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 3: Knit to 3 sts past centre marker, k2tog, k1, turn.
Row 4: Purl to 3 sts past centre marker, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 5: Knit to 4 sts past centre marker, k2tog, k1, turn.
Row 6: Purl to 4 sts past centre marker, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 7: Knit to 5 sts past centre marker, k2tog, k1, turn.
Row 8: Purl to 5 sts past centre marker, p2tog, p1, turn.

Heel Gusset
On RS, knit across Heel Flap. Change to MC and using same needle, pick up and knit 9 (10, 10, 11) sts along left side of Heel Flap (1 st in each slipped st); knit across Needles 2 and 3; using another needle pick up and knit 9 (10, 10, 11) sts along right side of Heel Flap (1 st in each slipped st); then knit across 17 (20, 22, 25) sts on Needle 1 -- 46 (52, 56, 62) sts [26 (30, 32, 36) sts on Needle 1; 10 (11, 12, 13) sts on Needle 2; 10 (11, 12, 13) sts on Needle 3]. Continue knitting around, ending on Needle 3.

Begin Gusset decreases as follows: At the beginning of Needle 1, k1, skp, knit to last 3 sts on Needle 1, k2tog, k1. Knit even across Needles 2 and 3. Repeat decreases on heel needle in this manner until 20 (22, 24, 26) sts are left on Needle 1.

Foot
Work even until foot measures 5-3/4 (6, 6-1/2, 6-3/4)" [14.6 (15.2, 16.5, 17) cm] from Heel Flap or 1 (1, 1-1/2, 1-3/4)" [2.5 (2.5, 3.8, 4.5) cm] less than desired length.

Change to CC, k 1 rnd even.

Toe
Decrease Rnd: Begin in Needle 1, k1, skp, knit across needle to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. On Needle 2, k1, skp, k to end of needle. On Needle 3, k across needle to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.

Repeat this rnd until 8 sts remain. Graft sts using Kitchener Stitch or repeat the decrease rnd until 4 sts remain. Cut yarn, leaving a tail long enough to thread through remaining sts. Turn sock inside out, then draw tight, and fasten securely. Using yarn needle, weave in all loose ends.

 

Excerpted from Knitting for Peace by Betty Christiansen, with photos by Kiriko Shirobayashi. Excerpted by permission of Stewart, Tabori & Chang. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.