purlJam

# Cozy Beginner Socks Pattern

## Basic Top-Down Socks

These cozy beginner-friendly socks are knitted from the cuff down featuring a classic heel flap and gusset. Perfect for those chilly evenings or as a thoughtful handmade gift!

### Materials
- **Yarn:** Worsted weight yarn, approximately 200 grams (ensure you have more for larger sizes)
- **Needles:** US Size 6 (4 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) or circular needles for magic loop
- **Notions:** Stitch markers, tapestry needle, measuring tape

### Gauge
- 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch

### Sizes
- **Small (S)**: Foot circumference 8 inches, foot length 9 inches
- **Medium (M)**: Foot circumference 9 inches, foot length 10 inches
- **Large (L)**: Foot circumference 10 inches, foot length 11 inches

For a custom fit, measure the circumference of the widest part of your foot and use this information to select the closest size.

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

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## Instructions

### Cuff
1. **Cast On:**
   - S: Cast on 40 stitches
   - M: Cast on 44 stitches
   - L: Cast on 48 stitches
   - Divide evenly among needles and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place a stitch marker at the beginning of the round.

2. **Ribbing:**
   - Work [K2, P2] ribbing for 2 inches.

### Leg
3. **Knit the Leg:**
   - Continue to knit every round in stockinette stitch (knit every stitch) until the leg measures 6 inches from the cast-on edge or desired length.

### Heel Flap
4. **Divide Stitches:**
   - Place half the stitches on one needle for the heel flap:
     - S: 20 sts
     - M: 22 sts
     - L: 24 sts
   - Work back and forth in rows on this needle only.

5. **Work Heel Flap:**
   - Row 1 (RS): sl1, k to end.
   - Row 2 (WS): sl1, p to end.
   - Repeat these two rows until the heel flap measures 2.5 inches, ending with a WS row.

### Turn Heel
6. **Shaping Heel:**
   - Row 1 (RS): k12 (14, 16), k2tog, k1, turn.
   - Row 2 (WS): sl1, p3 (5, 7), p2tog, p1, turn.
   - Row 3: sl1, k to 1 st before gap, k2tog, k1, turn.
   - Row 4: sl1, p to 1 st before gap, p2tog, p1, turn.
   - Repeat rows 3 and 4 until all heel stitches have been worked, ending with a RS row.

### Gusset
7. **Pick Up Stitches:**
   - Pick up and knit 12 (14, 16) stitches along the side of the heel flap. Knit across the instep stitches. Pick up and knit 12 (14, 16) stitches along the other side of the heel flap.

8. **Setup Round:**
   - Knit all stitches in the round, place a marker to indicate the start of the round after completing the gusset.

9. **Decrease for Gusset:**
   - Round 1: Knit to 3 stitches before the instep, k2tog, k1, knit across instep, k1, ssk, knit to end.
   - Round 2: Knit all stitches.
   - Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until the number of stitches is back to:
     - S: 40 sts
     - M: 44 sts
     - L: 48 sts

### Foot
10. **Knit the Foot:**
    - Continue knitting in the round until the foot measures 2 inches less than the desired total foot length:
      - S: 7 inches
      - M: 8 inches
      - L: 9 inches

### Toe
11. **Toe Shaping:**
    - Round 1: [Knit to 3 sts before instep, k2tog, k1, knit across instep, k1, ssk, knit to end]
    - Round 2: Knit all stitches.
    - Repeat these two rounds until 20 (22, 24) stitches remain.

12. **Finishing:**
    - Knit the stitches from the heel flap side together with those from the instep with the Kitchener stitch. Alternatively, continue decreasing until a small amount of sts remain and gather them to close the toe.

### Finishing Touches
- Weave in all ends using a tapestry needle.
- Gently block socks to desired dimensions.

### Tips
- For a snugger fit at the cuff, consider using a smaller needle size for the ribbing section.
- If using self-striping yarn, ensure the color sequence aligns for both socks if desired.

Enjoy your new pair of cozy socks!