purlJam

## Basic Top-Down Socks for Beginners

### Introduction
These basic top-down socks are perfect for beginners tackling their first sock project. Designed with a simple construction featuring a classic heel flap and gusset, they use worsted weight yarn to knit up quickly. The pattern includes six sizes to fit a range of foot circumferences.

### Materials
- **Yarn:** Worsted weight wool yarn, 100g skein (~200 meters/218 yards)
  - Approx. 100g / 220 meters (240 yards) for size Small (adjust amounts for larger sizes)
- **Needles:** Set of 4 double-pointed needles (DPNs), 4 mm (UK size 8 / US size 6)
- **Notions:** Stitch markers, tapestry needle, measuring tape, scissors

### Tension (Gauge)
- 20 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) in stockinette stitch in the round.
- Check your tension and adjust needle size if necessary.

### Sizes
- **Small**: 18 cm (7 inches) foot circ. | 22 cm (8.5 inches) long
- **Medium**: 20 cm (8 inches) foot circ. | 24 cm (9.5 inches) long
- **Large**: 22 cm (9 inches) foot circ. | 26 cm (10.5 inches) long
- **Extra Large** (XL): 24 cm (9.5 inches) foot circ. | 28 cm (11 inches) long
- **2XL**: 26 cm (10 inches) foot circ. | 30 cm (11.5 inches) long

### Abbreviations
- **st(s)**: stitch(es)
- **k**: knit
- **p**: purl
- **yo**: yarn over
- **k2tog**: knit two stitches together
- **ssk**: slip, slip, knit slipped stitches together

### Instructions

#### Cuff
1. Cast on 40 (44, 48, 52, 56) sts using 4 mm DPNs. Divide evenly over 3 needles and join in the round, being careful not to twist. Place a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of the round.
2. Work in [k1, p1] ribbing for 6 cm (2.5 inches).

#### Leg
1. Continue in stockinette stitch (knit every round) until the leg measures 15 cm (6 inches) from the cast-on edge.

#### Heel Flap
1. Knit the first 20 (22, 24, 26, 28) sts onto one needle for the heel flap.
2. Work back and forth in rows:
   - Row 1 (RS): *Slip 1, k1*; repeat from * to end.
   - Row 2 (WS): Slip 1, p to end.
3. Repeat these 2 rows until the heel flap measures 6.5 cm (2.5 inches), ending after a WS row.

#### Turn Heel
1. Row 1 (RS): K12 (13, 14, 15, 16), ssk, k1, turn.
2. Row 2 (WS): Slip 1, p5, p2tog, p1, turn.
3. Row 3 (RS): Slip 1, k to 1 st before the gap created by the turn, ssk, k1, turn.
4. Row 4 (WS): Slip 1, p to 1 st before the gap, p2tog, p1, turn.
5. Repeat rows 3–4 until all heel sts have been worked, ending with an RS row. There will be 12 (14, 16, 18, 20) sts remaining.

#### Gusset
1. Knit across the remaining heel sts.
2. Using the same needle, pick up and knit 10 (11, 12, 13, 14) sts along the edge of the heel flap.
3. Knit across the instep sts that were held on the other needles.
4. Pick up and knit 10 (11, 12, 13, 14) sts along the opposite edge of the heel flap, then knit across half of the heel sts to align the beginning of the round mid-heel, distributing sts evenly over the needles.

#### Foot
1. Knit until the foot measures 4 cm (1.5 inches) less than the desired total foot length from the back of the heel.

#### Toe
1. Round 1: Knit to last 3 sts of needle 1, k2tog, k1; needle 2: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1; needle 3: k1, ssk, knit to end.
2. Round 2: Knit all sts.
3. Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until 16 (18, 20, 22, 24) sts remain.
4. Graft the toe closed using Kitchener Stitch or finish as preferred.

### Finishing
1. Weave in all loose ends securely and trim excess.
2. Block socks lightly if necessary to shape.

### Notes
- Feel free to adjust the length of the cuff, leg, or foot to better fit your needs or preferences.
- Ensure that tension is consistent throughout to avoid size discrepancies.

Thank you for choosing this beginner's sock pattern. Enjoy your knitting!