purlJam

# Basic Top-Down House Socks (Crochet)

**Skill Level:** Beginner
**Yarn Weight:** Worsted (Aran)
**Size:** Adult Medium (To fit foot circumference approx. 22-24 cm)

These cosy house socks are constructed top-down, just like a traditional knitted sock. They feature a ribbed cuff, a sturdy heel flap, and a shaped gusset for a perfect fit.

### Specifications
*   **Yarn:** Approx. 150g / 250m of Worsted weight wool or acrylic blend.
*   **Hook:** 4.5 mm (or size needed to obtain tension).
*   **Notions:** Tapestry needle, 2 stitch markers, scissors.
*   **Tension:** 16 stitches and 18 rows = 10 cm x 10 cm in Double Crochet (dc).

### Terminology (UK English)
*   **ch:** chain
*   **dc:** double crochet (equivalent to US single crochet)
*   **dc2tog:** double crochet two together (decrease)
*   **blo:** back loop only
*   **ss:** slip stitch
*   **st(s):** stitch(es)
*   **RS/WS:** Right Side / Wrong Side
*   **Magic Ring:** Adjustable loop technique (optional, can sub ch 4 and join).

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### INSTRUCTIONS

#### 1. The Cuff (Worked vertically)
The cuff is worked in rows and then joined to form a tube. This provides the best elasticity.

**Row 1:** Ch 11. Dc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. Turn.
`[Math: 11 ch - 1 turn ch = 10 sts]`

**Row 2:** Ch 1, dc in blo of each st across. Turn.
`[Math: 10 sts]`

**Rows 3–36:** Repeat Row 2 until you have 36 rows total. The strip should measure approx. 20–22 cm unstretched.

**Join:** Fold the strip in half. Ss the final row to the starting chain to form a tube. Do not fasten off. Turn the work so the seam is on the inside.

#### 2. The Leg
You will now work in rounds along the edge of the ribbing.

**Set-up Round:** Ch 1. Work 1 dc into the end of each ribbing row around. Join with ss to first dc.
`[Math: 1 row end = 1 st. Total = 36 sts]`

**Rounds 1–15:** Ch 1, dc in each st around. Join with ss.
`[Math: 36 sts per round]`
*Note: You may add more rounds here if you want a taller sock.*

#### 3. The Heel Flap
Worked in rows on half the stitches (18 sts). The other 18 stitches (Instep) are left unworked for now.

**Row 1 (RS):** Ch 1, dc in next 18 sts. Turn. Leave remaining 18 sts unworked.
`[Math: 18 sts]`

**Row 2 (WS):** Ch 1, dc in each st across. Turn.
`[Math: 18 sts]`

**Rows 3–16:** Repeat Row 2.
*The flap should form a square approx 9-10 cm long.*

#### 4. Turn Heel
We will shape the heel cup by working partial rows and decreasing.

**Row 1 (RS):** Ch 1, dc 11, dc2tog, turn. (Do not work remaining 5 sts).
`[Math: 12 sts used]`

**Row 2 (WS):** Sk first st (the decrease from prev row), dc 5, dc2tog, turn.
`[Math: 6 sts work + 1 dec]`

**Row 3:** Sk first st, dc 5, dc2tog, turn.
**Row 4:** Sk first st, dc 5, dc2tog, turn.
**Row 5:** Sk first st, dc 5, dc2tog, turn.
**Row 6:** Sk first st, dc 5, dc2tog, turn.

You should now have **10 stitches** remaining on the heel flap.
`[Math Check: 18 original - 8 decreases = 10 sts remaining]`

#### 5. The Gusset
We now convert back to working in the round, picking up stitches along the sides of the heel flap to connect everything.

**Set-up Round:**
1.  Ch 1, dc across the 10 heel sts.
2.  Pick up and dc 16 sts evenly down the side of the heel flap.
3.  Place Marker A (this marks the start of the instep).
4.  Dc across the 18 unworked Instep sts from the Leg section.
5.  Place Marker B (this marks the end of the instep).
6.  Pick up and dc 16 sts evenly up the other side of the heel flap.
7.  Join with ss to first heel st.

`[Math: 10 (heel) + 16 (side) + 18 (instep) + 16 (side) = 60 sts total]`

**Gusset Decrease Round 1:**
Ch 1, dc in each st to 2 sts before Marker A, dc2tog. Slip Marker A.
Dc across 18 instep sts. Slip Marker B.
Dc2tog, dc in each st to end. Join with ss.
`[Math: 60 start - 2 dec = 58 sts]`

**Gusset Round 2 (Plain):** Ch 1, dc in each st around. Join with ss.
`[Math: 58 sts]`

**Repeat these two rounds** (decreasing every other round at the corners) until you return to **36 stitches**.
`[Decrease path: 60 -> 58 -> 56 -> ... -> 36]`

#### 6. The Foot
**Rounds 1+:** Work straight in dc (36 sts) until the foot measures approx. 4 cm less than your desired total foot length. Try the sock on; it should reach the base of your toes.

#### 7. The Toe
We decrease to close the sock.

**Round 1:** *Dc 4, dc2tog; rep from * around. Join.
`[Math: 36 - 6 sts = 30 sts]`

**Round 2:** Dc in each st around.
`[Math: 30 sts]`

**Round 3:** *Dc 3, dc2tog; rep from * around. Join.
`[Math: 30 - 6 sts = 24 sts]`

**Round 4:** Dc in each st around.
`[Math: 24 sts]`

**Round 5:** *Dc 2, dc2tog; rep from * around. Join.
`[Math: 24 - 6 sts = 18 sts]`

**Round 6:** *Dc 1, dc2tog; rep from * around. Join.
`[Math: 18 - 6 sts = 12 sts]`

**Round 7:** *Dc2tog; rep from * around. Join.
`[Math: 12 - 6 sts = 6 sts]`

#### Finishing
1.  Cut yarn, leaving a 15 cm tail.
2.  Thread needle and weave through the front loops of the remaining 6 sts.
3.  Pull tight to close the hole.
4.  Weave in all ends securely on the inside.

Make a second sock to match!