Fingering-weight cuff-down socks with a pretty Tulip Lace cuff and plain stockinette foot. Worked in the round on DPNs or circulars (magic loop). Design notes: the Tulip Lace is an 8-stitch repeat that sits around the leg; the pattern keeps the stitch count stable across the lace repeat.
8.5 sts = 1" / 10.5 sts = 2.5 cm in stockinette on US 1–2 (2.25–2.75 mm). Check gauge on the needles you plan to use and adjust size if necessary. Socks are sized to negative ease (you want the finished circumference slightly smaller than actual foot circumference).
Cast on (use your preferred stretchy cast-on): Small 56 sts; Medium 64 sts; Large 72 sts. (These numbers are divisible by the 8-st Tulip Lace repeat.) Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker to indicate beginning of round.
k = knit p = purl yo = yarn over k2tog = knit 2 together (right-leaning decrease) ssk = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease) st(s) = stitch(es) RS = right side WS = wrong side pm = place marker sl = slip stitch rep = repeat rnd = round Ktbl = knit through back loop ssk = slip slip knit kitchener = grafting the toe with mattress stitch (kitchener)
The lace is worked over an 8-st repeat; odd-numbered rounds are shown — even rounds (WS if working flat) are purled or worked as stated.
Row 1 (RS, worked in the round): *k1, yo, k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, yo* ; rep to end. Row 2 (all rounds following Row 1, in the round): purl all sts. Row 3 (RS): *k2, yo, k1, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo* ; rep to end. Row 4: purl all sts. Row 5 (RS): *k1, k2tog, yo, k2, yo, ssk, k1* ; rep to end. Row 6: purl all sts. Row 7 (RS): *k1, yo, ssk, k2, k2tog, yo, k1* ; rep to end. Row 8: purl all sts. Repeat Rows 1–8 for the Tulip Lace pattern.
With smaller needles (US 1 / 2.25 mm suggested), work a stretchy rib for cuff.
1. CO 56 (64, 72) sts. Join to work in the round, pm for beginning. 2. Work K2, P2 rib for 1"–1.5" / 2.5–4 cm (or desired cuff length). 3. Change to lace pattern needles (if you prefer a different size) and work Tulip Lace as follows: Setup round (to align motif): Work Tulip Lace Rows 1–8 as written in the stitch repeat. Continue Tulip Lace until cuff + leg total length from cast-on equals 2.75"–3.5" / 7–9 cm, or continue longer to preferred leg length (typically 6–8" / 15–20 cm for above-ankle socks). Finish on the completion of an 8-row repeat so pattern aligns for the heel flaps.
Work heel flap over half the stitches (first half of round). For example Small: 28 sts; Medium: 32 sts; Large: 36 sts.
1. Work back and forth over these sts only (leave remaining sts for instep on holder): 2. Row 1 (RS): *sl1, k1* repeat to end of heel flap (sl1 = slip 1 purl-wise with yarn in front) — this is the slip-stitch selvedge pattern. 3. Row 2 (WS): purl across. 4. Repeat Rows 1–2 until heel flap measures approx 1.5"–1.75" / 4–4.5 cm or until flap looks proportionate (approx 15–18 rows depending on yarn). End after a WS row. Note: Keep the selvedge slip (sl1) on RS rows to create reinforced fabric.
With heel flap sts on needle; work short rows to shape the cup of the heel: Row 1 (RS): k (half + 2) sts, k2tog, k1, turn. (E.g. for 28 sts heel flap, work 15 sts, k2tog, k1, turn.) Row 2 (WS): sl1, p until 1 st before center, p2tog, p1, turn. Row 3 (RS): sl1, k until 1 st before gap, k2tog, k1, turn. Repeat Rows 2–3 until all heel sts are worked and there are no remaining gap sts (you will have formed a rounded heel). End after a WS row. Pick up and knit stitches for gusset as described next.
With the needle arrangement you prefer, pick up sts along the edge of the heel flap on each side: pick up 1 st for every slipped stitch row (approximately half the heel flap stitch count on each side). For example Small: pick up 14 (Medium 16, Large 18) on each side. Place instep sts on a needle for working pattern. Round 1 (dec round): Knit across heel stitches on working needle, then pick up along side, then knit across instep stitches (in pattern — work Tulip Lace pattern where they fall; if pattern interrupts across instep, continue as written), then on the other side pick up stitches and knit across remaining heel stitches. After this first round you will have more stitches than the start (original CO). Work gusset decreases as follows: Decrease rounds: Round A: On needle with heel stitches, knit to last 3 sts of that needle, k2tog, k1. Knit across instep (in pattern). On the other needle (other side of foot) knit k1, ssk, then knit to end. This removes 2 sts per full round. Repeat Round A every other round until you have returned to your original total cast-on stitch count (56/64/72). When the total is back to original, stop decreasing and continue even for the foot.
Work even in stockinette (knit all rounds) on the sole needles and continue the Tulip Lace pattern on the instep stitches as written until foot length from back of heel equals 2" / 5 cm less than desired finished foot length (measure from heel to tip of toe). For example for a 9" foot, work to 7" from heel.
Begin Toe Decreases when foot measures approx desired length minus 2" (5 cm): Arrange stitches across needles as follows: divide total sts evenly on 2 or 3 needles. Decrease round 1: On needle 1: knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. On needle 2 (instep): k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. On needle 3: k1, ssk, knit to end. (If using 2 needles, split appropriately.) Round 2: Knit even around. Repeat these two rounds until 8–12 sts remain (4–6 sts per needle). Stop when you have about half the original stitch count of the toe remaining (depends on size: Small 8 sts; Medium 8–10 sts; Large 10–12 sts). Cut yarn leaving a tail 8–10" / 20–25 cm long and graft toe closed with Kitchener stitch. If you prefer a wedge toe, continue decreases until 16 sts remain then graft. Adjust final decreases so both sides of toe mirror each other.
If you have any questions or need a chart or photo guide for the Tulip Lace alignment, contact the pattern support: https://purljam.verde.uk or email team@verde.uk. Social: #purljam