Madelinetosh Slippery Socks Knitting Pattern

Madelinetosh Slippery Socks

Project Overview

Slippery Socks is a downloadable knitting pattern designed by Jean Knapp for Madelinetosh. This project creates a pair of socks using the top-down method, worked in the round on double point needles. The pattern features a distinctive slip stitch texture throughout the leg and incorporates traditional sock construction techniques including a heel flap, heel turn, and gusset shaping.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a complete pair of socks knit from the cuff down to the toe. The finished leg measures approximately 7 inches before the heel flap begins, making these socks suitable for standard sock length. The design emphasizes texture and visual interest through the use of slip stitches, creating a slippery appearance that gives the pattern its name.

Techniques Used

• Top-Down Construction: The socks are knit starting from the cuff and progressing downward toward the toe, allowing for easy fitting adjustments.
• Worked in the Round: The pattern is worked circularly using double point needles, eliminating the need for seaming and creating seamless socks.
• Ribbed Cuff: The pattern begins with a knit 2, purl 2 ribbed cuff worked for 10 rounds, providing stretch and a finished edge.
• Slip Stitch Patterning: The leg features a slip stitch pattern repeated 9 times, creating texture and visual dimension.
• Heel Flap Construction: A traditional heel flap is worked flat using slip stitch techniques, creating a reinforced heel area with 15 chains along the sides.
• Heel Turn Shaping: Short-row shaping is used to turn the heel, incorporating SSK (slip, slip, knit) decreases and P2tog (purl two together) decreases to create a fitted heel cup.
• Gusset Shaping: Stitches are picked up along the sides of the heel flap and between the heel and instep, with bar stitches twisted to close gaps and prevent holes.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K): The fundamental stitch used throughout the pattern.
• Purl (P): Used in the ribbed cuff and heel flap sections.
• Slip Stitch (S1): A key stitch in both the slip stitch leg pattern and the heel flap construction, creating texture and edge definition.
• SSK (Slip, Slip, Knit): A left-leaning decrease used during heel turn shaping.
• P2tog (Purl Two Together): A purl decrease used during heel turn shaping.
• Ribbing (K2, P2): Used for the cuff to create elasticity and a finished appearance.

Materials

Yarn: The pattern calls for 1 skein of Madelinetosh Sock yarn. The pictured example is worked in the Chartres colorway, though the pattern can be worked in any Madelinetosh Sock color.

Needles: US size 2 double point needles are recommended, or the size necessary to obtain the correct gauge. The cast-on is worked over 2 needles held together, or 2 sizes larger than the working needles, to create a looser and more elastic cast-on edge.

Additional Supplies: A yarn needle is required for weaving in ends upon completion.

Construction Details

The pattern begins with casting on 60 stitches and dividing them evenly across 3 double point needles (20 stitches per needle). After the ribbed cuff, the slip stitch pattern is worked repeatedly to build the leg length. The heel flap is then worked flat in rows, using a combination of slip stitches and knit/purl stitches to create a durable, textured heel. The heel turn uses short-row shaping to create a fitted heel cup, and the gusset is completed by picking up stitches along the heel flap edges and closing any gaps with twisted bar stitches. This construction method ensures a well-fitted, durable sock with professional finishing.