How to Use a Sock Recipe to Knit a Sock
Since I started knitting, I’ve heard of sock recipes vs. patterns, but being a rule follower, I always preferred a pattern to follow exactly.
My challenge with this is that the pattern, even when followed exactly, accounting for shoe sizes and all, was not producing a sock that fit the intended recipient. So, I started researching sock recipes, which is a bit of a misnomer because it is not at all like cooking recipes.
Cooking recipes have exact numbers, sort of like the numbers in knitting patterns. A sock recipe, however, makes you do the math. (Ewwww. I know. I know. Math isn’t my thing either. We are creatives after all, but stay with me here!)
After reading many sock recipes, I found one from Vickie Howell that makes the most sense to me. Since there isn’t a stitch pattern to follow, I subbed in some stitch patterns from some of my favorite folks for the cuff, leg, heel, etc.
Foot Measurements
First up is measuring everyone's foot. I have the sock wearer stand on a measuring tape on the floor. I measure from the heel to their longest toe. I add this my Ravelry project page, but you can mark it down a way that works for you. Then, I subtract 1.5”. This is how long the knitted foot should be. Set these numbers aside for now.
Shortie Sock CO Stitches
While you can use Vickie’s sock recipe to calculate the number of cast on stitches, I found that the standard cuff cast-on stitches (48, 64 or 72 stitches) work like a charm.
Shortie Sock Cuffs
I prefer a 2 x 2 ribbing, so k2, p2 all the way around for 10 rounds, so it measures about 2". Sometimes, I do a roll-down cuff, which is super cute BTW, so I knit 15 rows of stockinette in the round for the cuff and leg combined, which sends me straight to the heel.
Shortie Sock Legs
I knit a short leg of 15 rounds. This is a preference thing, so you can knit a shorter or longer leg. Again, the beauty of a recipe.
Heel Flap
I use my preferred heel for all the socks.
Row 1: *s1 pw, k1* *repeat to end of row.
Row 2: *s1 pw, p1* *repeat to end of row.
I do this until the flap measures about 2", which takes me 35 rows. End on a RS row, so it should be an odd number of rows.
Heel Turn
Row 1 (WS): Sl 1 wyif, p10, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 2 (RS): Sl 1 wyib, k3, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 3: Sl 1 wyif, p4, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 4: Sl 1 wyib, k5, ssk, k1, turn.
Repeat:
Row 1: sl 1, knit to 1 stitch before the gap ssk, k1, turn.
Row 2: p to 1 stitch before the gap p2tog, p1, turn.
Continue in this pattern until all your heel sts have been worked, ending on a RS row.
Gussett
With the right side of your work facing, pick up 8-13 (depending on the sock size) stitches along the left side of the heel flap. Next, K across the first half of the stitches that we’ve left undisturbed on our needles while working the heel flap.
PM, and pick up 8-13 (again, depending on the size) stitches on the right side of the heel flap. K across the heel sts, then k down the first set of new stitches you picked up on the left side. You’ve reached the end of the round, and all your stitches have now been picked up.
Gusset Decreases
Rnd 1: K across stitches, sl marker, k1, ssk, k around to 3 stitches before the end of round, k2tog, k1.
Rnd 2: Work even with no decreases.
Repeat these two rounds until you have your original number of stitches on your needles.
Foot
I knit the foot stockinette stitch in the round. The number of rounds coordinated with the length of the foot for each girl, minus 1.5". Count the number of rounds it takes you to reach the foot length so you can knit the mate to match.
Sock Toe
For the toes:
Round 1: K1, ssk, k to 3 sts before the marker, k2tog, k1, sm, k1, ssk, k to 3 sts before end of round marker, k2tog, k1.
Round 2: K.
Round 3: K1, ssk, k to 3 sts before next marker, k2tog, k1, sl m, k1, ssk, k around to 3 sts before end of rnd, k2tog, k1.
Repeat rounds 2 and 3 until 20-30 sts remain (depending on the girl). Use the Kitchener stitch to close the toe. Weave in all ends!
Yarn: Freckled Whimsy Serendipity Fingering Weight
Colorway: Love is in the Air
Freedom in a recipe!
Great recipe! so you add a leg of 15 rounds to a vanilla shortie sock pattern?