purlJam

# Basic Top-Down Socks - Beginner Level

## Pattern Overview

These classic, beginner-friendly socks are knitted from the top down, featuring a ribbed cuff, simple leg, heel flap, gusset, straightforward foot, and easy toe shaping. Designed using worsted weight yarn, these socks offer a quick and gratifying project for new knitters. The pattern includes instructions for multiple sizes to fit a variety of wearers.

## Materials

- **Yarn:** Worsted weight yarn, approximately 200 g for a pair (varies by size)
- **Needles:** Set of 4 double-pointed needles in size 4.5mm (UK 7 / US 7)
- **Tapestry needle** for weaving in ends
- **Stitch markers**

## Tension (Gauge)

18 sts x 24 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) in stockinette stitch in the round

## Sizes

- Small (S): 18 cm (7 inches) foot circumference
- Medium (M): 20 cm (8 inches) foot circumference
- Large (L): 23 cm (9 inches) foot circumference

## Abbreviations

- **k**: knit
- **p**: purl
- **st(s)**: stitch(es)
- **k2tog**: knit 2 stitches together
- **ssk**: slip, slip, knit

## Instructions

### Cuff

1. **Cast On:** Cast on 36 (40, 44) stitches loosely. Distribute evenly across 3 needles and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker to indicate the beginning of the round.

2. **Ribbing:** Work in *k1, p1* ribbing for 5 cm (2 inches).

### Leg

3. **Stockinette Stitch:** Knit every round until the leg measures 12 cm (4.5 inches) from the cast on edge. Adjust as desired for longer or shorter socks.

### Heel Flap

(Note: Worked back and forth on half the total stitches)

4. **Setup for Heel Flap:** Knit across first 18 (20, 22) sts, turn work.
5. **Row 1 (RS):** Sl 1, k across.
6. **Row 2 (WS):** Sl 1, p across.
7. Repeat Rows 1-2 until heel flap measures 5 cm (2 inches), ending with a WS row.

### Turning the Heel

8. **Row 1 (RS):** Knit 10 (11, 12) sts, k2tog, k1, turn.
9. **Row 2 (WS):** Sl 1, p5 (5, 6) sts, p2tog, p1, turn.
10. **Row 3 (RS):** Sl 1, k6 (6, 7) sts, k2tog, k1, turn.
11. **Row 4 (WS):** Sl 1, p7 (7, 8) sts, p2tog, p1, turn.
12. Repeat Rows 3-4 until all heel sts have been turned, ending with a RS row. 10 (12, 14) sts remain.

### Gusset

13. **Pick Up Stitches:** 
    - Knit across heel stitches. 
    - Using the same needle, pick up and knit 7 (9, 11) sts along the side of the heel flap.
    - Use the next needle to knit across the 18 (20, 22) sts of the instep.
    - Use another needle to pick up and knit 7 (9, 11) sts along the other side of the heel flap, then knit the remaining heel stitches.

14. **Shape Gusset:**
    - Round 1: Knit to last 3 stitches on first needle, k2tog, k1. Knit across instep stitches. On last needle, k1, ssk, knit to end.
    - Round 2: Knit all stitches.

15. Repeat Rounds 1-2 until there are 36 (40, 44) total sts remaining (distributed as 9, 18, 9 [10, 20, 10] [11, 22, 11]).

### Foot

16. **Continue:** Knit in rounds on 36 (40, 44) stitches until the foot measures 5 cm (2 inches) less than the desired length from the back of the heel.

### Toe Shaping

(Note: Adjust sts across needles to have equal stitch distribution before beginning toe decreases)

17. **Round 1:** On Needle 1, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. On Needle 2, k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. On Needle 3, k1, ssk, k to end.
18. **Round 2:** Knit all stitches.

19. Repeat Rounds 1-2 until 16 total sts remain.

20. **Finishing:** Cut yarn, leaving a 20 cm (8 inch) tail. Using a tapestry needle, thread the yarn through remaining sts and pull tightly to close. Secure and weave in ends.

### Final Steps

- Weave in all ends using a tapestry needle.
- Block your socks gently to measurements for the best fit and shape.

### Helpful Notes

- For fitting, remember socks should have a little negative ease to stay snug on the foot without being too tight.
- Modify the leg length and the foot length to your preference, checking sizing as you go.