purlJam

**Beginner Top-Down Socks Pattern**

**YARN WEIGHT:** Worsted

**GAUGE:** 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in Stockinette stitch

**SIZES:** Small (Medium, Large, Extra Large)

**Finished Foot Circumference:** 
- Small: 7 inches 
- Medium: 8 inches 
- Large: 9 inches 
- XL: 10 inches

**Foot Length:** Adjustable

**MATERIALS:**
- Yarn: 200 (220, 240, 260) yards of worsted weight yarn
- Needles: US 6 (4 mm) double-pointed needles (set of 5) or circular needles for magic loop
- Stitch markers
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors

**ABBREVIATIONS:**
- CO: Cast on
- K: Knit
- P: Purl
- K2tog: Knit two stitches together
- SSK: Slip, slip, knit
- St(s): Stitch(es)
- Rnd: Round

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**CUFF:**
1. CO 36 (40, 44, 48) sts. Distribute sts evenly across 3 or 4 needles, or arrange for magic loop. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker for beginning of round.
2. *K1, P1* ribbing for 1.5 inches.

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**LEG:**
1. Knit in stockinette stitch (K all rnds) until leg measures 6 inches from CO edge, or desired length minus 1.5 inches.

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**HEEL FLAP:**
1. Knit across first 18 (20, 22, 24) sts. These sts will form the heel flap. Turn work.
2. Row 1: *Slip 1 purl-wise, P across*. Turn.
3. Row 2: *Slip 1 knit-wise, K across*. Turn.
4. Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until 18 (20, 22, 24) rows are completed, ending with a Row 1.

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**TURN HEEL:**
1. Row 1: K10 (11, 12, 13), SSK, K1, turn.
2. Row 2: Slip 1, P5 (6, 7, 8), P2tog, P1, turn.
3. Row 3: Slip 1, K to 1 st before gap, SSK, K1, turn.
4. Row 4: Slip 1, P to 1 st before gap, P2tog, P1, turn.
5. Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until all sts are worked. 10 (12, 14, 16) sts remain.

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**GUSSET:**
1. Pick up and knit 9 (10, 11, 12) sts along the side of the heel flap.
2. K across the 18 (20, 22, 24) instep sts.
3. Pick up and knit 9 (10, 11, 12) sts along the other side of the heel flap.
4. Knit across half of the heel sts to shift the start of the round to the middle of the heel.

Total sts: 54 (60, 66, 72).

5. Decrease round: *K to 3 sts before the first instep marker, K2tog, K1; K across instep; K1, SSK, K to end*.
6. Next round: K all sts.
7. Repeat these two rounds until 36 (40, 44, 48) sts remain.

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**FOOT:**
1. Knit in stockinette stitch until the foot measures 1.5 inches less than the desired foot length from the back of the heel.

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**TOE SHAPING:**
1. Decrease round: *K to 3 sts before the first marker, K2tog, K1; K1, SSK, K to 3 sts before the next marker, K2tog, K1; K1, SSK, K to end*.
2. Knit one round even.
3. Repeat these two rounds until 20 (20, 20, 24) sts remain.
4. If using two circulars or magic loop, arrange sts so there are an equal number on each section.
5. Continue to decrease every round until 8 sts remain.

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**FINISHING:**
1. Cut yarn, leaving a 10-inch tail.
2. Graft toe using the Kitchener Stitch or close with a Three-Needle Bind-Off.
3. Weave in all ends.

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**NOTES:**
- Customize the length of the leg and foot as desired.
- If using multiple needles, ensure each needle has the same number of sts where suited.
- Use a stitch marker to track the start of the row if needed.

Enjoy your handmade socks!