Okay. DK weight socks might be my new favorite to knit and these Winter Waves Socks are no exception! They are so soft and squishy and they work up so quickly! Plus, when you use two strands of fingering held double, the color variation is just *chefs kiss*! If you haven’t made a pair of DK socks before or you’ve hated knitting fingering weight socks in the past, give this free sock pattern a try! I swear they take half the time and you’ll be rewarded with the warmest and coziest socks for the winter which is really what everybody needs this time of year!
Yarn
For these Winter Waves Socks I chose to use some of my hand-dyed yarn. It is a 75/25 superwash merino/nylon base. (You can watch me dye this yarn over on Instagram here because its just really fun to watch!)
While I want everyone to have access to free sock pattern, I realize ads aren’t for some people which is why I’ve also made up a printable pdf that is available in my Etsy shop! So, if you’re one that likes to print out your patterns so you can write and mark all over them, I’ve got your back, too! Just click below to purchase the affordable printable pdf because every little bit of support helps me to keep putting out new patterns! Thank you!
Alright! Let’s get on to the main event! Now, introducing The Winter Waves free sock pattern!! I recommend reading through the entire pattern before getting started! Happy knitting!
Materials
- approximately 450 yds fingering weight yarn
- US size 4 needles (DPNs, or 36″ or longer circular for magic loop) I use these interchangeable needles
- tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- stitch markers
Gauge
2″ square
13 st x 18 rows
stockinette knit in the round and blocked
Sizes
Measured around the circumference of the ball of your foot.
S (7″/18cm) M (8″/20cm) L (9″/23cm) XL (10″/25cm)
Abbreviations
CO – Cast on
BOR – Beginning of Round
K – Knit
P – Purl
St – Stitch
PM – Place Marker
SM – Slip Marker
k2tog – Knit 2 together
p2tog – Purl 2 together
ssk – slip slip knit
Rnd – Round
Instructions
CO 42 (48, 54, 60) sts. Join stitches for working in the round and be sure you don’t twist your stitches when joining because nobody wants that!
CUFF
Establish a 2×2 rib pattern (k2, p2) until cuff measures 1.5″
LEG
Row 1-4: k 4, p 2 around.
Row 5-8: k 2, p 2 around.
Row 9-12: p 2, k 4 around
Repeat rounds 1 and 12 until desired leg length is reached. I did 6″ for my Socks.
HEEL FLAP
Work in pattern across first 22(24, 28, 30) stitches. We will begin working heel flap stitches across the next 20(24, 26, 30) stitches.
Row 1: k to end. Turn work
Row 2: sl 1, p to end. Turn work
Row 3: sl 1, k to end. Turn work.
Repeat rows 2-3 until heel flap measures 2(2, 2.25, 2.5)”. End after a row 2.
HEEL TURN
Row 1: sl 1, k 10 (12, 13, 15), ssk,
k1 turn
Row 2: sl 1, p3, p2tog, p1, turn
Row 3: sl 1, k 4, ssk, k 1, turn
Row 4: sl 1, p 5, p2tog, p 1 turn
You now have the pattern for the heel turn: sl 1, k or p to one stitch before the gap made by your turn on the previous row, ssk or p2tog, k1 or p1, turn. Continue this pattern until all of your heel stitches have been used up.
GUSSET
With the right side of your work facing you, sl 1 and k across heel flap, then pick up and k 8(9, 10, 11) sts along the left side of heel flap edge, pm, k next 22(24, 28, 30) sts in pattern, pm, pick up and k 8(9, 10, 11) sts along the right side of heel flap. K across heel stitches, then k down the first set of sts you picked up on the left side of heel flap. Now you are now back at the BOR.
GUSSET DECREASES
Row 1: work in pattern across first 22(24, 26, 30) sts, sm, k 1, ssk,
k to 3 sts before end of round, k2tog, k1.
Row 2: work in pattern across first 22(24, 26, 30) sts, sm, k to BOR
(no decreases).
Repeat rounds 1-2 until you have 44 (48, 52, 60) sts on your needles.
FOOT
Continue working in pattern until your foot is at the desired length before beginning toe decreases. Remember to work the pattern in only the first 22(24, 26, 30) sts and stockinette on the last half of your sts!
Toe Decreases
I begin my toe decreases when the sock reaches the tip of my pinky toe. If the socks you are knitting are a gift or you can’t try them on easily, the Craft Yarn Council has the following length guidelines for the foot of a sock, measured from the back of the heel to the end of the toe.
All sizes are US
Women’s shoe sizes 4-6.5: 8-9″ (20.25-23cm)
W‘s shoe sizes 7-9.5: 9.25-10″ (23.25-25.5cm)
W’s shoe sizes 10-12.5: 10.25-11″ (26-28cm)
Men’s shoe sizes 6-8.5: 9.25-10″ (23.25-25.5cm)
M’s shoe sizes 9-11.5: 10.25-11″ (26-28cm)
M’s shoe sizes 12-14: 11.25-12″ (28.5-30.5cm)
You will want to start shaping your toe approximately 1.5″ (3 cm) before the end of your desired foot length.
TOE DECREASE
Row 1: k1, ssk, k until 3 sts before marker, k2tog, k1, sm, k1, ssk, k until 3 sts before BOR, k2tog, k1.
Row 2: K around.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until 10 (12, 14, 16) sts remain.
Finally, close your toe using the kitchener stitch.
Finishing
Weave in ends and block and then you’re all done!
