purlJam

# Basic Top-Down Socks Pattern

**Yarn Weight:** Worsted  
**Skill Level:** Beginner  
**Needles:** 4 mm (UK size 8, US size 6) double-pointed needles or circular needles if using Magic Loop technique  
**Tension (Gauge):** 20 stitches and 28 rows = 10 cm (4 inch) square in stocking stitch  
**Sizes:** Small (Medium, Large)  
**Foot Circumference:** 20 (22, 24) cm [8 (8.6, 9.5) inches]  
**Foot Length:** Adjustable to fit

### Materials

- **Yarn:** 100g (approximately 200 metres/220 yards) of worsted weight yarn
- **Stitch markers**
- **Tapestry needle for weaving in ends**

### Abbreviations

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

### Instructions

#### Cuff

1. **Cast On:** Cast on 44 (48, 52) sts evenly onto 4 double-pointed needles [11 (12, 13) stitches per needle].
2. **Join in the round:** Be careful not to twist the stitches. Place a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of the round.
3. **Ribbing:** *K2, p2* around for 5 cm (2 inches).

#### Leg

Continue in stocking stitch (knit all rounds) until the leg measures 12 cm (4.75 inches) from cast-on edge, or desired length.

#### Heel Flap

1. **Set-up:** Work back and forth in rows over the first 22 (24, 26) sts for the heel flap.
2. **Row 1 (RS):** *Sl1, k1* across.
3. **Row 2 (WS):** *Sl1, purl to end.*
4. Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until the heel flap measures 5 (5.5, 6) cm [2 (2.25, 2.5) inches], ending with a WS row.

#### Turn Heel

1. **Row 1 (RS):** K13 (14, 15), ssk, k1, turn.
2. **Row 2 (WS):** Sl1, p5 (6, 7), p2tog, p1, turn.
3. **Row 3:** Sl1, k to 1 st before gap, ssk, k1, turn.
4. **Row 4:** Sl1, p to 1 st before gap, p2tog, p1, turn.
5. Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until all sts have been worked, ending with row 4. 14 (16, 18) sts remain.

#### Gusset

1. **Set-up:** Knit across the heel stitches. With the same needle, pick up and knit 10 (11, 12) sts along the side of the heel flap. Place a marker for new beginning of round.
2. **Across the instep (needles 2 and 3):** Knit across 22 (24, 26) sts.
3. **Other side of gusset:** Pick up and knit 10 (11, 12) sts along the other side of the heel flap, knit across remaining heel sts. [A total of 56 (62, 68) sts on the needles]

4. **Decrease Rounds:**

   Rnd 1: Knit to the last 3 sts on needle 1, k2tog, k1; knit across the instep on needles 2 and 3; on needle 4, k1, ssk, knit to end of round.  
   Rnd 2: Knit around.

5. Repeat Rnds 1 and 2 until there are 44 (48, 52) sts remaining. Distribute evenly on needles as follows: 11 (12, 13) sts on needle 1; 11 (12, 13) sts on needle 2; 11 (12, 13) sts on needle 3; 11 (12, 13) sts on needle 4.

#### Foot

Continue knitting in the round until the foot measures 4 (5, 6) cm [1.5 (2, 2.5) inches] less than the desired foot length.

#### Toe Shaping

1. **Decrease Rounds:**

   Rnd 1: On each needle: k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.  
   Rnd 2: Knit around.

2. Repeat Rnds 1 and 2 until 20 (20, 20) sts remain.
3. **Final Decrease Rounds:**

   Rnd 1: *K1, k2tog* across.  
   Rnd 2: Knit around.

Continue these two rounds until 8 sts remain.

#### Finishing

- Cut the yarn, leaving a 15 cm (6 inch) tail. Thread the tail through the remaining stitches using a tapestry needle and pull tight to close.
- Weave in all ends.

### Notes

- Always check your tension before starting the project to ensure a good fit.
- Adjust length of foot and leg as desired, being mindful of yarn requirements.