How to Knit a Sock
Sock knitting in the round may seem daunting to those beginning to learn the technique. Knitting socks on double-point needles in the round is the most common way to knit socks. Once you learn the basics of sock knitting, you can incorporate any stick pattern or color work using the same basic techniques. Follow these instructions to knit a standard size sock, with the foot fully customizable for the size necessary.
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Instructions
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Cast on 56 stitches onto one needle. Divide the stitches evenly over three needles. Make sure that your stitches are not twisted and join to begin working in the round.
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Work in knit one, purl one rib for 2 inches. The ribbing is worked by knitting one stitch then purling the next stitch all the way around. Repeat the row until the cuff is the desired size.
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Switch to the stockinette stitch and continue until the cuff measures 5 inches, or the desired cuff length. The stockinette stitch in the round is worked by knitting every stitch all the way around on every row.
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Work the heel flap. Slip the first stitch, then knit the next stitch. Continue slipping one and knitting one until you have worked 32 stitches. Turn the work so that the wrong side is facing you. Slip the first stitch, then purl the next 31 stitches. Repeat the last two rows until you have worked a total of 32 rows on the heel flap.
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Turn the heel. Knit 18 stitches, slip the next two stitches to the right-hand needle, knit those two stitches together, knit one stitch and then turn the work. Slip the first stitch, purl the next five stitches, purl two stitches together, purl one stitch and then turn the work. Slip the first stitch, knit the next six stitches, slip the next two stitches to the right-hand needle and then knit those two stitches together. Knit one stitch and turn the work. Continue in this manner, increasing the stitch count on each row to work one more stitch than the previous row before working decreases, until all stitches are worked on both sides of the heel flap.
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Knit across the heel stitches and then pick up and knit 16 stitches along the side of the heel flap with the same needle. Knit across the instep stitches that were on hold with a spare needle. Pick up and knit 16 stitches along the other side of the heel flap with a spare needle. Then knit across half of the heel stitches onto the same needle.
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Work the gusset of the sock. Knit to the last two stitches on the first needle and knit the next two stitches together. Knit across the instep stitches on the second needle. Slip the next two stitches to the right-hand needle and knit the two stitches together. Knit to the end of the round. Work one round in the stockinette stitch without decreases. Repeat the last two rounds until you are back to 56 stitches total.
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Knit in the stockinette stitch until the foot measures the length of the foot from the back of the heel to the base of the toes.
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Work the toe shaping. On needle one, knit to the last two stitches on the needle and then knit the next two stitches together. On needle two, slip the next two stitches and knit them together. Knit to the last two stitches on the needle and knit those two stitches together. On needle three, slip the next two stitches and knit them together. Knit to the end of the round. Knit one round. Repeat the last two rounds until there are 20 stitches remaining.
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Close up the toe using the kitchener stitch. Cut a tail of yarn about 12 inches long and thread onto the yarn needle. Hold the needles horizontally. Set up the first stitch. With a threaded needle, purl into the first stitch on the needle closest to you, leaving the stitch on the needle. Then knit into the stitch on the back needle, also leaving that on the needle. Work in the kitchener stitch. Knit into the stitch on the needle closest to you and remove it from the needle. Purl into the next stitch on the same needle, leaving that stitch on the needle. Purl into the first stitch on the back needle and remove it from the needle. Knit into the next stitch on the same needle, leaving that stitch on the needle. Repeat the last two steps until all of the stitches are worked.
Weave in the ends on the wrong side of the sock.
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References
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