Heritage Homestead Socks

Written By Heritage Fiber

The Heritage Homestead Socks are a great introduction to sock knitting. You’ll gain confidence using double-pointed needles, knitting in the round, and shaping the heel. The instructions break it down step-by-step, making it easier than you might think. Once the first sock is done, you’ll be ready to tackle the second with ease!

Materials

  • Yarn: Fingering weight 50g / 95 yds (87 m)

    • Women's S/M/L: 1 skein

    • Men's S/M/L: 2 skeins

  • Needles: Set of 4 or 5 double-pointed needles (DPNs), 2.5 mm (US 1)

    • For a firmer texture, use 2.25 mm needles (note: this will result in a slightly smaller, denser sock)

  • Other Notions:

    • Yarn needle or crochet hook

    • Stitch holder

Gauge

36 stitches and 44 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on 2.5 mm needles
Tip: Always swatch to check your gauge before beginning. Do as I say, and not as I do.

 

Glossary

  • K / k: knit

  • P / p: purl

  • Ribbing: Alternating knit and purl stitches (e.g., K2, P2) to create stretchy fabric

  • k2tog: Knit two stitches together (right-leaning decrease)

  • p2tog: Purl two stitches together (right-leaning decrease)

  • ssk: Slip-slip-knit (left-leaning decrease)

  • DPNs: Double-pointed needles, used to knit in the round

  • Grafting (Kitchener Stitch): A method to invisibly join two sets of stitches

 

Finished Sock Sizes

Foot Circumference:

  • Women's: 7.5" (S), 8" (M), 8.5" (L)

  • Men's: 9" (S), 9.5" (M), 10" (L)
    [19 cm, 20.5 cm, 21.5 cm, 23 cm, 24 cm, 25.5 cm]

 

 

Instructions

LEG

·      Cast on 68(72, 76, 80, 84, 88) sts using a stretchy cast-on such as Twisted German. (Alternatively, use a long-tail cast-on with a larger needle.

·      Distribute stitches evenly across 4 DPNs. Join in the round carefully, ensuring stitches are not twisted.

·      Work in K1, P1 ribbing for 2" (7.5 cm).

·      Work in K3, P1 until leg measures 8" (20.5 cm) or your desired length.

 

HEEL FLAP

·      Knit across the first 17(18, 19, 20, 21, 22) sts.
·      Turn, purl across 34(36, 38, 40, 42, 44) sts—this is the heel.

·      Place the remaining sts on hold for the instep. 

Eye of Partridge Pattern:

  • Row 1 (RS): *Slip 1 (wyib), K1; repeat from *

  • Row 2 (WS): Slip 1 (wyif), purl to end
    Repeat for 34(36, 38, 40, 42, 44) rows.

 

TURN HEEL

  • Row 1 (RS): Knit 19(20, 21, 22, 23, 24), ssk, K1, turn

  • Row 2 (WS): Sl1, P5, p2tog, P1, turn

  • Row 3: Sl1, knit to gap, ssk, K1, turn

  • Row 4: Sl1, purl to gap, p2tog, P1, turn
    Repeat Rows 3–4 until all heel sts are used. You’ll have 20(20, 22, 22, 24, 24) sts remaining.

 

GUSSET

·      Knit across heel sts. Pick up 17(18, 19, 20, 21, 22) sts along heel edge.

·      Knit across instep sts. Pick up same number of sts on other side of heel.

o   Total: 88(92, 98, 102, 108, 112) sts.

Begin gusset decreases:

Round 1: On needle 1, K to last 3 sts, k2tog, K1.
On needle 2, knit across.
On needle 3, K1, ssk, knit to end.

Round 2: Knit all sts.

Repeat these 2 rounds until 68(72, 76, 80, 84, 88) sts remain.

 

FOOT

·      Work in stockinette (knit every round) until the foot measures:
6.5(7.5, 8, 8, 8.5, 9)" [or ~1.75" less than desired foot length]

 

TOE SHAPING

Round 1:

    • Needle 1: Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, K1

    • Needle 2: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, K1

    • Needle 3: K1, ssk, knit to end

Round 2: Knit

Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until 32(36, 40, 40, 44, 44) sts remain.
Then repeat Round 1 only until 12 sts remain.
Distribute 6 sts on each of 2 needles and graft the toe closed using the Kitchener stitch.

 

FINISHING

Weave in all yarn ends. Block gently if desired.

Heritage Fiber