10 Best Free Sock Knitting Patterns
How do you knit a sock?
For some reason, socks get a bad rap as being difficult.
People often ask “Is it easy to knit socks?” or “How hard is it to knit socks?”
Guess what? They are much easier to knit than you think and I’ve rounded up the 10 best free sock knitting patterns to get you started. These easy sock knitting patterns also have full tutorials available to help you at any tricky spots.
Socks may be knitted from the cuff-down or the toe-up and I’ve included both in this post.
I like to think of socks as several mini projects in one. First, you knit the cuff, then the heel, pick up stitches and work the instep, and then finish with the toe. Once you knit a pair of socks, you’ll see how gratifying these projects can be.
Best of all, socks are the perfect on-the-go knitting projects because they are small and portable.
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10 Best Free Sock Knitting Patterns
#1. Basic Socks Free Knitting Pattern
The idea of knitting socks can be quite daunting if you’ve not done it before. The whole thought of turning heels and grafting toes can be quite enough to put you off before you even pick up your needles.
There are now step-by-step tutorial posts on the blog to accompany this pattern. These tutorials are written for short circulars, DPNs and long circular (magic loop) and cover everything from choosing yarn and needles to knitting your socks right down to the grafted toes - there’s no excuse not to cast on!
Uses fingering weight yarn
Designed by Winwick Mum
Get Knit Picks Hawthorne Tonal Sock Yarn for this project
#2. Rye Light Socks Free Knitting Pattern
Knit socks for the entire family! Tin Can Knits created these socks for their Simple Collection - easy to knit projects with their step-by-step tutorials. These socks are knitted in the round from the top-down and use the Kitchener stitch to finish the toe for a seamless fit.
Uses fingering weight yarn
Designed by TinCanKnits
Get Knit Picks Stroll Tweed Yarn for this project
#3. Nice Ribbed Sock Free Knitting Pattern
This is a basic, cuff-down, 3x1 ribbed sock pattern with a flap heel and gussets. It is written for fingering-weight yarn for one size of 64 sts around, to fit foot/ankle circumference of 8-9 inches. To accommodate smaller or larger foot sizes, decrease or increase the number of cast-on stitches by a multiple of 4.
Uses fingering weight yarn
Designed by Glenna C.
Get Nice Ribbed Sock Free Knitting Pattern on Ravelry
Get Knit Picks Static Sock Yarn for this project
#4. Rose City Rollers Socks Free Knitting Pattern
Easy, roll-top ankle socks perfect for summer knitting and wearing. These socks are knit from the top down, with a tradition heel flap and heel turn and three size options.
It’s a great pattern for a beginner sock knitter, and a fun quick knit for more advanced sock knitters. This sock is perfect for super bright, variegated yarns, they add a fun pop of color to any summer outfit!
Uses fingering weight yarn
Designed by Mara Catherine Bryner
Get Rose City Rollers Socks Free Knitting Pattern on Ravelry
Get Knit Picks Muse Hand Painted Sock Yarn for this project
#5. Vanilla Latte Socks Free Knitting Pattern
In a way this is a sock recipe. Included are directions for knitting with 56, 64, and 72 stitches. You choose your favorite cuff ribbing, then choose between three heel flap variations, and two different toes.
The pattern stitch itself is super simple - actually easier than ribbing since alternate rounds are just knit. The resulting pattern is wide columns of stockinette with narrow columns of garter stitch. Easy peasy! Socks knit in solid or semi-solid yarn are simple and elegant, yet this pattern also is perfect for a striped or highly variegated yarn. Again, it’s your choice!
Uses fingering weight yarn
Designed by Virginia Rose-Jeanes
Get Vanilla Latte Socks Free Knitting Pattern on Ravelry
Get Knit Picks Felici Sock Yarn for this project
#6. My Favorite Vanilla Socks Free Knitting Pattern
Here’s what designer, Meaghan Schmaltz has to say about this project. “When I started out fiendishly knitting socks I hated the gusset heel. All I wanted to knit was a short row heel sock from the toe up. Having learned a gusset heel, and found one I love love love, I almost exclusively knit cuff-down socks with a gusset heel. They are my favorite TV time knitting… even when watching The Walking Dead (though nothing interrupts Game of Thrones). So here they are, My Favorite Vanilla Socks. Period.”
Uses fingering weight yarn
Designed by Meaghan Schmaltz
Get My Favorite Vanilla Socks Free Knitting Pattern on Ravelry
Get Knit Picks Hawthorne Speckle Hand Painted Sock Yarn for this project
#7. Flying North Socks Free Knitting Pattern
Flying North provides simple texture stitch to add to your favorite sock pattern. The sock is worked from the toe, up to the cuff with a short-row or afterthought heel (specific heel instructions are not provided, see heel suggestions in pattern).
The texture is worked on the top of the foot until the heel and then worked around the cuff and completed with a 1x1 ribbing and stretchy bind off. The pattern is written using the Magic Loop method but can be easily adjusted to using double pointed needles or other sock knitting methods.
Uses fingering weight yarn
Designed by Maria Montzka
Get Flying North Socks Free Knitting Pattern on Ravelry
Get Knit Picks Stroll Yarn for this project
#8. Hiking Socks Free Knitting Pattern
These sturdy toe-up hiking socks have it where it counts. Different colorwork and knitting techniques add padding, structure and support where it’s needed for all day comfort. The ribbing detail along the foot adds a comfortable arch support.
The Hiking Socks feature a simple enough pattern to allow you to concentrate on new techniques such as a toe-up construction, a combination heel, short rows, as well as using colorwork for added structure. The pattern also includes tips on how to modify the socks for a more custom fit.
Uses fingering weight yarn
Designed by Kerin Dimeler-Laurence
#9. Two at Once, Toe-Up Magic Loop Socks Free Knitting Pattern
Custom fit your socks as you knit them. Knitting socks from the toe up lets you try them on as you go, to make sure they fit all along the way.
This instructional pattern teaches you how to knit two socks at the same time on one long circular needle so you have a pair finished at the same time. The socks have a traditional heel flap and gusset, and the bottom and back of the heels are worked in a padded slip stitch pattern for additional cushioning.
Uses fingering weight yarn
Designed by
Get Knit Picks Stroll Yarn for this project
#10. Just Plain Socks Free Knitting Pattern
Socks for every body…
BEGINNERS! You CAN knit socks! There is nothing fancy about these socks--they can be knit BY anyone, FOR anyone.
These socks are knit from the cuff down in two basic ribbing styles. They have an eye-of-partridge Dutch Heel flap, and a classically-decreased toe.
These socks are formulaic in sizing: you can make them for anyone. Sample stitch counts for an adult sock is given throughout. Choose a fun colorway of sock yarn and dive in--see how fun socks can be!
Uses fingering weight yarn
Designed by Talena Winters
Get Knit Picks Stroll Yarn for this project
