purlJam

# Basic Top-Down Socks Knitting Pattern

### Skill Level: Beginner

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## Materials
- **Yarn:** Bulky weight yarn, approximately 200 yards (183 meters)
- **Needles:** 
  - Double-pointed needles (DPNs), US 9 / 5.5 mm
- **Notions:** 
  - Stitch markers
  - Yarn needle for weaving in ends

## Gauge
- 14 stitches and 20 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch in the round

## Sizes
- **Small (Medium, Large)**
- Foot circumference: 7 (8, 9) inches (17.8 (20.3, 22.9) cm)
- Foot length (adjustable): 9 (10, 11) inches (22.9 (25.4, 27.9) cm) or desired length before toe decreases

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

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## Instructions

### Cuff
1. **Cast On**: 40 (44, 48) sts loosely using the long-tail cast on.
2. **Join in the round**: Being careful not to twist stitches, join for working in the round and place a marker to indicate the beginning of the round.
3. **Ribbing**: *K2, p2*; repeat from * to * around for 8 rounds.

### Leg
1. **Stockinette Stitch**: Knit all sts every round until the leg measures 6 (6.5, 7) inches (15.2 (16.5, 17.8) cm) from the cast-on edge, or desired length.

### Heel Flap
1. **Set-Up for Heel Flap**: Work back and forth on the next 20 (22, 24) sts, leaving the remaining sts on hold.
2. **Row 1** (RS): *Slip 1, knit 1*; repeat from * to end.
3. **Row 2** (WS): Slip 1, purl to end.
4. **Repeat Rows 1 and 2 for 12 (14, 16) rows, ending with a WS row.

### Turning the Heel
1. **Row 1** (RS): Knit 11 (12, 13) sts, ssk, k1, turn.
2. **Row 2** (WS): Slip 1, p5 (5, 6), p2tog, p1, turn.
3. **Row 3** (RS): Slip 1, knit to 1 stitch before gap, ssk, k1, turn.
4. **Row 4** (WS): Slip 1, purl to 1 stitch before gap, p2tog, p1, turn.
5. **Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until all heel sts are worked, with 12 (14, 16) sts remaining.

### Gusset
1. **Pick Up Stitches**: Knit across heel sts, pick up 8 (9, 10) sts along side of heel flap, place marker, work across 20 (22, 24) instep sts, place marker, pick up 8 (9, 10) sts along side of heel flap, knit remaining heel sts. 56 (62, 68) total sts.
2. **Round 1**: Knit to the last 3 sts before the first marker, k2tog, k1, slip marker, knit across instep, slip marker, k1, ssk, knit to end.
3. **Round 2**: Knit.
4. **Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until you have 40 (44, 48) sts remaining.

### Foot
1. **Foot Length**: Work in stockinette stitch until the foot measures 2 inches (5 cm) less than the desired length from the back of heel, approximately 7 (8, 9) inches (17.8 (20.3, 22.9) cm).

### Toe
1. **Round 1**: Knit to 3 sts before instep marker, k2tog, k1, slip marker, k1, ssk, knit to 3 sts before second marker, k2tog, k1, slip marker, k1, ssk, knit to end.
2. **Round 2**: Knit.
3. **Repeat these two rounds until 16 (20, 24) sts remain. Divide sts evenly onto two needles.

### Finishing
1. **Graft Toe**: Use the Kitchener stitch to graft the toe.
2. **Weave in all ends**.

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## Tips
- Adjust the foot length according to the actual foot size by trying the sock on as you knit.
- If substituting yarn, make sure to match the gauge to ensure proper fit.