Friday 16 Nov 2007

Pieces of Eight Baby Socks

These baby socks are quick to knit and the pattern is simple to memorize because all the elements are based on multiples of eight. Please consider making a few pairs for newborns in hospitals local to you.

I used size 2.5mm needles and Knit Picks Risata sock yarn. The yarn was perfect for this pattern and it made a wonderful, soft and stretchy sock. You can substitute any yarn+needle combination that gives you a gauge of about 8 stitches per inch.

mybabysock

Cuff:

Loosely CO 32 sts. I like to use the German Twisted Cast On over 2 ndls held parallel.

Divide the sts onto 3 ndls and join into the round, being careful not to twist the sts.

Rnds 1-16: K1, *p2, k2; repeat from * to end of rnd, ending with k1.

Heel Flap:

Place the next 16 sts on waste yarn or 2 spare dpns. These are the instep sts; they begin and end with a knit stitch. Turn your work so the WS is facing.

Row 1: Sl1, [k2, p2] 3 times, k2, p1, turn.
Row 2: Sl1, [p2, k2] 3 times, p2, k1, turn.

Repeat Rows 1-2, eight times.

Turn Heel:

Row 1: Sl1, p8, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 2: Sl1, k3, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 3: Sl1, p4, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 4: Sl1, k5, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 5: Sl1, p6, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 6: Sl1, k7, ssk, k1, do not turn. 10 heel sts remain.

Foot:

Divide the sts as follows:
Ndl #1: 5 heel sts
Ndl #2: 16 instep sts
Ndl #3: 5 heel sts

Beginning with Ndl #1, pick up and knit 8 sts along the side of the heel flap; work the instep sts in the established rib pattern; with a spare dpn, pick up and knit 8 sts along the second side of the heel flap; knit the 5 heel sts from Ndl #3.

You should now have 13 sts on Ndl #1, 16 sts on Ndl #2, and 13 sts on Ndl #3.

Rnd 1: Knit to within 3 sts of the end of Ndl #1, k2tog, k1, work the sts on Ndl #2 in the established rib pattern, k1, ssk, knit the remainder of the sts on Ndl #3.
Rnd 2: Knit the sts on Ndl #1, work the sts on Ndl #2 in the established rib pattern, knit the sts on Ndl #3.

Repeat Rnds 1 & 2 until 32 sts remain. Then repeat Rnd 2 only, 8 times.

Knit 8 rnds plain (i.e., knit all sts on all ndls).

Toe:

Rnd 1: *K2, k2tog; repeat from * to end of rnd (8 sts decreased).
Rnd 2: Knit all sts.
Rnd 3: *K1, k2tog; repeat from * to end of rnd (8 sts decreased).
Rnd 4: Knit all sts.
Rnd 5: *k2tog; repeat from * end of rnd (8 sts decreased).

8 sts remain on the ndls. Break yarn, leaving an 8 inch tail. Thread the yarn tail onto a tapestry ndl and run the ndl through the 8 remaining sts. Pull tight to close the toe. Weave in yarn ends.

Make the second sock.

Find a baby who needs socks.

Thanks to Beth for test knitting!

Gusset

babysockspair

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21 comments | designing, knitting, patterns, socks

21 Responses to “Pieces of Eight Baby Socks”

  1. # Laurie on 16 Nov 2007 at 4:54 am

    Nice! I’ll try it out for the slew of babies in progress here at work.

  2. # Beth on 16 Nov 2007 at 6:07 am

    A girl in my SnB made some socks last month from that Risata yarn. It’s not bad but I wish for more colors.

  3. # Teresa C on 16 Nov 2007 at 6:42 am

    And just in time! I have babies to knit for.

  4. # Alyssa on 16 Nov 2007 at 7:23 am

    This is perfect, my friend has a new baby and I just figured out how to knit socks successfully!

  5. # Kate on 16 Nov 2007 at 7:28 am

    My best friend called last night to say she’s pregnant, so these are perfect!

  6. # Carole on 16 Nov 2007 at 7:42 am

    Perfect! And fast, too.

  7. # Heather Joins The Round on 16 Nov 2007 at 8:00 am

    Ubercute!

  8. # Carol on 16 Nov 2007 at 12:29 pm

    Very nice – but I’ve tried to print it twice and only the pictures come through.
    Any clues that may help?
    Thanks…..

  9. # marianne on 16 Nov 2007 at 12:44 pm

    Thank you SO VERY MUCH!… saved and tucked safely, will print out very soon and start in on some baby socks… :^)

  10. # paula on 16 Nov 2007 at 2:42 pm

    Those are so cute. I still have a languishing CIC sweater. Must. knit. socks!

  11. # Manise on 16 Nov 2007 at 4:00 pm

    Very cute socks! Thanks for posting the pattern!

  12. # Vera on 16 Nov 2007 at 5:34 pm

    Those are sweet!

  13. # sue on 17 Nov 2007 at 6:45 am

    Thank you so much for the pattern. I would like to try it out. Can I please ask for a favor?
    Could you please weigh your finished baby socks? And post the weight? I have left over sock yarn hanging around and it would be nice to get an estimate as to whether I have enough for a pair of baby socks. I know all sock yarn weighs differently but it would at least be a start.

  14. # Wool Winder on 17 Nov 2007 at 7:18 am

    Adorable! The ribbing should insure a good fit. Thanks for the pattern.

  15. # Wanda on 17 Nov 2007 at 4:07 pm

    Thanks for sharing the pattern!

  16. # Rachael on 19 Nov 2007 at 9:39 am

    Great looking pattern!! I can’t wait to try them out after the holiday season

  17. # Katherine Allred on 20 Nov 2007 at 2:49 pm

    I’ll give ‘em a whirl.

  18. # Trish on 20 Nov 2007 at 5:59 pm

    I’m definitely going to try these with some leftover sock yarn. I have several new babies to knit for right now and I’m sure I can whip up a few pairs of these before the holidays! Thanks!

  19. # Kathy on 22 Nov 2007 at 1:37 pm

    Thanks for sharing!
    k

  20. # Amber on 27 Jan 2008 at 12:42 pm

    I just finished a pair of these in the Buttermilk colorway of Risata. This was a great yarn to work with and the color is very nice for a natural color layette. Your pattern was so pleasing to work with. Simple and mathematically elegant! Unfortunately, my baby’s foot was a little too long, but no problem, I will just add some more rounds on the next pair I make. By the way, for anyone who wants to know, it took about 15 grams to make a pair from Risata.

  21. # eliane silva on 02 Jun 2010 at 8:59 am

    gostaria muito de tricotar essas meias, mas ñ consigo entender a receita, será que poderias traduzir para mim?ficarei muito agradecida. abraço fraterno.