THIS IS HOW YOU KNIT · LITLG
A first sock
in Fine Sock Merino — the perfect beginner project
KEEP THESE INSTRUCTIONS CLOSE AT HAND.
MATERIALS
- 1 skein LITLG Fine Sock SW Merino (100g / approx 400m)
- 2.25mm double-pointed needles, or long circular for magic loop
- 4 stitch markers, tapestry needle
ABBREVIATIONS
| RS | Right Side |
| WS | Wrong Side |
| sl1 | Slip 1 stitch purlwise |
| k | Knit |
| p | Purl |
| wyif | With yarn in front |
| k2tog | Knit 2 together (decrease, leans right) |
| ssk | Slip, slip, knit (decrease, leans left) |
| pm | Place marker |
| sm | Slip marker |
| rnd | Round |
PATTERN NOTES
This sock is worked cuff-down with a traditional flap heel — the most beginner-friendly construction. A 2×2 rib cuff, stockinette leg and foot, grafted toe.
EDGE STITCHES (throughout the heel flap):
- Beginning of every row: sl1 wyif, k1
- End of every WS row: purl to end
This creates a neat chain of edge stitches along both sides of the heel flap.
GAUGE AND SIZE
36 sts x 48 rnds = 10cm in stockinette on 2.25mm needles.
Size: Womens UK 3-7 / EU 36-41 (foot circumference approx 20cm). To adjust, cast on in multiples of 4.
CAST ON
Using a Long-Tail Cast On (or German Twisted Cast On for extra stretch), CO 64 sts. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker for beginning of round.
CUFF
2×2 Rib: *k2, p2; repeat from * to end of round. Repeat until cuff measures 5cm from cast-on edge.
LEG
Work in stockinette (knit every round) until leg measures approx 15cm from cast-on, or desired length.
HEEL FLAP
Work back and forth over the first 32 sts only. Leave remaining 32 sts on hold for the instep.
Row 1 (RS): sl1 wyif, *k1, sl1 wyif; repeat from * to last st, k1
Row 2 (WS): sl1 wyif, purl to end
Repeat 16 times (32 rows total). End on a WS row.
Turn Heel:
Row 1 (RS): sl1, k17, ssk, k1, turn
Row 2 (WS): sl1, p5, p2tog, p1, turn
Row 3 (RS): sl1, knit to 1 st before gap, ssk, k1, turn
Row 4 (WS): sl1, purl to 1 st before gap, p2tog, p1, turn
Repeat rows 3-4 until all sts are worked. 18 sts remain.
GUSSET
Pick up 16 sts along right side of heel flap. Knit 32 instep sts. Pick up 16 sts along left side. Knit to BOR. 82 sts total.
Decrease round: Knit to 3 sts before instep, k2tog, k1. Knit 32 instep sts. k1, ssk, knit to end. Then knit one plain round. Repeat until 64 sts remain.
FOOT
Work in stockinette until foot measures approx 5cm less than desired finished foot length.
TOE AND FINISHING
Rnd 1: k1, ssk, k26, k2tog, k1, pm, k1, ssk, k26, k2tog, k1
Rnd 2: Knit all sts
Repeat Rnds 1-2 until 32 sts remain, then work decrease rnd every round until 16 sts remain (8 per section). Graft toe with Kitchener stitch. Weave in ends. Block gently.
Read next
Before you start: winding your yarn
Most yarn — including ours — comes in a hank (a loose loop) rather than a ball ready to knit straight from. Before you cast on you’ll need to wind it into a cake or ball, otherwise it’ll tangle the moment you start pulling from it.
You have a few options:
- Pop into your local yarn shop. Most are happy to wind a hank for you on the spot — especially if you’ve bought from them. It takes them two minutes and saves you the hassle.
- Buy a swift and ball winder. A basic umbrella swift (holds the hank open) and a cheap ball winder (winds it into a neat flat cake) costs around €30–€40 combined and makes the whole process satisfying and quick.
- Use the back of a chair. Loop the hank over a chair back to keep it open, then wind by hand into a ball. It takes a little longer but works perfectly well for the odd skein.
Whichever you choose, wind loosely — winding too tightly stretches the yarn and can affect your tension.