Basic Socks Knitting Pattern

Basic Socks in Plymouth Yarn Happy Feet

What Is Being Made

These are classic pull-on socks designed to fit ladies medium or men's medium sizes. The Basic Socks pattern from Plymouth Yarn creates a traditional sock construction with a fitted cuff, heel, and foot, suitable for everyday wear. This is a beginner-friendly knitting project that teaches fundamental sock-making techniques using a top-down method.

Knitting Techniques Used

The pattern employs several essential sock-knitting techniques that make it ideal for those learning to construct socks from scratch. The sock begins with a cast-on worked on a single needle, then stitches are distributed across three double-pointed needles for circular knitting. The cuff uses ribbed knitting worked in the round, creating an elastic edge that hugs the leg.

The heel is constructed using a traditional heel flap method, worked flat back and forth on a single needle while the remaining stitches rest on the other needles. This is followed by a heel turn, which uses strategic decreases to shape the heel pocket. The gusset shaping comes next, where stitches are picked up along the sides of the heel flap and decreased gradually to transition smoothly from the heel to the foot. This technique prevents gaps and creates a well-fitted sock.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (K) – the fundamental stitch used throughout the sock
• Purl stitch (P) – used in the ribbed cuff and heel flap sections
• Ribbing (K2, P2) – creates the stretchy cuff that holds the sock in place
• Slip stitch (Slip 1) – used to create neat edges on the heel flap; slipped as if to purl except for SSK decreases
• Knit two together (K2tog) – a right-leaning decrease used during heel turning and gusset shaping
• Purl two together (P2tog) – a decrease used during the heel turn on purl rows
• SSK (slip, slip, knit) – a left-leaning decrease used in the heel construction
• Pick up and knit – used to add stitches along the sides of the heel flap for the gusset

Materials and Tools

This pattern calls for Plymouth Yarn Happy Feet 100, a yarn specifically designed for sock knitting. For the ladies medium size, one 100-gram hank is required; the men's medium size requires two hanks. The yarn shown in the pattern is color 6 Jewel Mix.

The project is worked on US 2 (2.75mm) double-pointed needles, or whatever size is necessary to achieve the specified gauge. The pattern specifies a gauge of 32 stitches over 4 inches in stockinette stitch, which is typical for sock yarn and creates a fabric with good elasticity and durability for foot wear.

Pattern Overview

The sock begins with a 64-stitch cast-on for ladies medium (72 stitches for men's medium), which are divided onto three needles. The cuff section features 6 inches of K2, P2 ribbing worked in the round, followed by 4 plain knit rounds. The heel flap is created by working back and forth for 32 to 36 rows total, using a slip-stitch edge technique. The heel turn uses paired decreases to create the characteristic heel pocket shape. Gusset decreases are then worked to transition the heel shaping into the foot section, creating a smooth, fitted ankle area. This pattern is free with the purchase of Plymouth Yarn Happy Feet 100.