Advent mini sock

Here is the free pattern to be used as part of the Advent sockathon make-along. If you would prefer to have a downloadable and printable pattern, you can find that here. 

Below is the photo tutorial with step by step instructions. 

Knitted from the cuff down in DK yarn, these socks promise a quick project. The gusset heel is worked without the need to pick up stitches, and the sock is finished by grafting the toe stitches together using the kitchener method.

You will need  

• 30g DK yarn (or hold 2 strands of leftover 4ply/fingering yarn)
• 3mm needles, or size needed to obtain correct tension
• (80cm-long circular for magic loop, DPNs, or two short circulars) 
• Two stitch markers for heel shaping
• Two stitch markers for the round (optional) 
• Darning needle

Tension

24 sts and 32 rounds to 10cm/4 inches in knit stitch.

Now, I always say to swatch but if no one will be wearing these, tension may not matter at this time. If you do care about how big the sock will be and whether you will be able to fit your favourite advent treats in it (ferrero rocher nom nom), then by all means, please go ahead and swatch! 

Glossary 

Cuff and leg

Loosely cast on 32 sts

Set-up row: [K1, P1] to end of row, join to work in the round.

Depending on your needles, you may want to place markers to indicate the start and centre of the round. The first half stitches are the heel, the second half the instep. Slip the markers when you come to them.

Continue in [K1, P1] rib pattern until cuff measures 2.5 cm / 1 in.

Knit all rounds until the leg measures 5cm / 2in from cast-on edge. 

Increasing for heel: 

Round 1: M1R, PM (marker 1), K16, PM (marker 2), M1L, Knit to end of round.  (2 sts increased)

Round 2: Knit all sts. 

Round 3: Knit to marker 1, M1R, SM, Knit to marker 2, SM, M1L, Knit to end of round.  (2 sts increased)

Repeat rounds 2 and 3 another 2 times, until 8 new stitches have been created. 

You now have 24 sts for the heel, 16 sts for the instep and 40 sts in total.

Decreasing for the heel 

Row 1: Knit to marker 1, SM, K11, SKP, turn, leaving the remaining stitches unworked.

Row 2: P7, P2tog. Turn. 

Row 3: Knit to 1 stitch before gap, SKP. Turn. 

Row 4: Purl to 1 stitch before gap, P2tog. Turn. 

Repeat rows 3 and 4 another 2 times. 

You have decreased back to the original stitch count: 16 sts for both the heel and the instep, and 32 sts in total. You should be right side facing, with marker 1 on your right-hand needle. 

‘Fixing gaps’ round: Remove marker 1, insert needle into gap as if to make a M1R and slip the bar onto the right-hand needle, K1, PSSO, Knit to marker 2, remove marker, insert needle into gap as if to make a M1L and slip the twisted bar onto the right-hand needle, K1, PSSO, Knit to end of round. 

Foot 

Knit all sts until you reach 2.5cm/1 inch before desired length. 

Toe 

Round 1: [SKP, K12, K2tog] twice. (4 sts decreased)

Round 2: Knit to end of round. 

Repeat rounds 1 and 2 another 2 times, until you have 20 sts in total. 

Then repeat round 1 two more times, until you have 12 sts in total. 

Finishing 

Using a darning needle and kitchener method, graft the heel stitches to the instep stitches to close the toe. Use the long tail from the cast-on to graft the gap in the cuff closed. Weave in all ends. 

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If you enjoyed this pattern, here are some more sock knitting patterns to help you to develop your skills: 

First timer basic sock knitting pattern. 

Simple cuff down DK sock knitting pattern.