Magic Loop Socks
These socks are knit one-at-a-time using the magic loop technique for knitting in the round. They are knit from the cuff down to the toe.
This pattern is available in 3 sizes: Small(Medium)[Large] based off of foot circumference 7”(8”)[9”] or in metric 18cm(20cm)[23cm]
Materials
• US 1 (2.25 mm) 32” or longer circular knitting needles Metal Amazon Wood Amazon
• Tapestry needle Amazon
• Stitch Marker Amazon
• 200 - 400 yds (183 – 366 m) Fingering weight yarn. Exact amount of yarn required will depend on size knit, cuff length, and foot length. Shown in Loop Yarn Sprig in the Blush colorway
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Free Knitting Pattern
Sizes, Materials & Gauge
Small (Medium) [Large], to fit a 7” (8”) [9”] foot circumference, or 18 (20) [23] cm.
200–400 yards (183–366 m) fingering-weight yarn; US 1 (2.25 mm) circular needle at least 32” long for magic loop; stitch marker; tapestry needle; ruler; scissors. The sample uses Loop Yarn Sprig in Blush.
Gauge: 24 rounds × 20 stitches = 2” × 2” in knit 3, purl 1 ribbing.
Abbreviations
SSK: Slip 2 stitches one at a time as if to knit, return them to the left needle, then knit them together through the back loops. K2T: Knit 2 together. P2T: Purl 2 together. RS: Right side. WS: Wrong side.
S1P: Slip 1 stitch purlwise.
Cast On & Cuff
Cast on 56 (64) [72] stitches using a stretchy cast-on and divide for magic loop.
Cuff round: Repeat (knit 2, purl 2) across the round. Work for 2” (5 cm).
Leg
Leg round: Knit 1, purl 1, repeat (knit 3, purl 1) until 2 stitches remain, knit 2. Continue to the desired leg length. The heel flap adds approximately 1.5” (1.75”) [2”], or 3.8 (4.4) [5.1] cm.
Heel Flap
Work flat on 28 (32) [36] stitches, turning after each row.
Row 1, outside: Repeat (slip 1 purlwise with yarn in back, knit 1) across the heel stitches; turn.
Row 2, inside: Slip 1 purlwise with yarn in front, purl the rest; turn.
Work these two rows 14 (16) [18] times total, for 28 (32) [36] rows.
Heel Turn
Small Heel Turn
Row 1: S1P, knit 15, SSK, knit 1; turn.
Row 2: S1P, purl 5, P2T, purl 1; turn.
Row 3: S1P, knit 6, SSK, knit 1; turn.
Row 4: S1P, purl 7, P2T, purl 1; turn.
Row 5: S1P, knit 8, SSK, knit 1; turn.
Row 6: S1P, purl 9, P2T, purl 1; turn.
Row 7: S1P, knit 10, SSK, knit 1; turn.
Row 8: S1P, purl 11, P2T, purl 1; turn.
Row 9: S1P, knit 12, SSK, knit 1; turn.
Row 10: S1P, purl 13, P2T, purl 1; turn.
Row 11: S1P, knit 14, SSK. Do not turn; proceed to picking up the heel flap stitches.
Medium Heel Turn
Row 1: S1P, knit 19, SSK, knit 1; turn.
Row 2: S1P, purl 9, P2T, purl 1; turn.
Row 3: S1P, knit 10, SSK, knit 1; turn.
Row 4: S1P, purl 11, P2T, purl 1; turn.
Row 5: S1P, knit 12, SSK, knit 1; turn.
Row 6: S1P, purl 13, P2T, purl 1; turn.
Row 7: S1P, knit 14, SSK, knit 1; turn.
Row 8: S1P, purl 15, P2T, purl 1; turn.
Row 9: S1P, knit 16, SSK, knit 1; turn.
Row 10: S1P, purl 17, P2T, purl 1; turn.
Row 11: S1P, knit 18, SSK. Do not turn; proceed to picking up the heel flap stitches.
Large Heel Turn
Row 1: S1P, knit 21, SSK, knit 1; turn.
Row 2: S1P, purl 9, P2T, purl 1; turn.
Row 3: S1P, knit 10, SSK, knit 1; turn.
Row 4: S1P, purl 11, P2T, purl 1; turn.
Row 5: S1P, knit 12, SSK, knit 1; turn.
Row 6: S1P, purl 13, P2T, purl 1; turn.
Row 7: S1P, knit 14, SSK, knit 1; turn.
Row 8: S1P, purl 15, P2T, purl 1; turn.
Row 9: S1P, knit 16, SSK, knit 1; turn.
Row 10: S1P, purl 17, P2T, purl 1; turn.
Row 11: S1P, knit 18, SSK, knit 1; turn.
Row 12: S1P, purl 19, P2T, purl 1; turn.
Row 13: S1P, knit 20, SSK. Do not turn; proceed to picking up the heel flap stitches.
Pick Up Stitches
Pick up and knit 14 (16) [18] slipped stitches along the left heel-flap edge. Turn and work in pattern across the front of the sock. Place a stitch marker, then pick up and knit 14 (16) [18] stitches along the other edge.
Heel Decreases
Set-up round 1: On the heel side, K2T, knit until 3 stitches remain, K2T, knit 1. On the front side, work in pattern to the marker, slip it, knit 1, SSK, knit the remaining stitches.
Set-up round 2: Knit the heel side. On the front side, work in pattern to the marker, slip it, knit the remaining stitches.
Repeat round 1: On the heel side, knit until 3 stitches remain, K2T, knit 1. On the front side, work in pattern to the marker, slip it, knit 1, SSK, knit the remaining stitches.
Repeat round 2: Knit the heel side; on the front side, work in pattern to the marker, slip it, knit the remaining stitches.
Alternate repeat rounds 1 and 2 until 56 (64) [72] stitches remain. Move the knit stitches after the marker from the front needle to the heel needle so that each needle holds 28 (32) [36] stitches.
Foot & Toe
Knit the heel side and work the front in pattern until the sock is 2” (5 cm) shorter than your foot.
Toe decrease round: Heel side: knit 1, SSK, knit until 3 stitches remain, K2T, knit 1. Front side: knit 1, SSK, work in pattern until 3 stitches remain, K2T, knit 1.
Work decrease rounds 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, and 23. On every other round through round 23, knit the heel side and work the front side in pattern. After round 23, 8 (12) [16] stitches remain on each needle, or 16 (24) [32] total per sock.
Graft with Kitchener stitch and repeat for the second sock.
Kitchener Stitch
Set up: Thread the tapestry needle purlwise through the first stitch on the front needle, leaving it on the needle. Thread the tapestry needle knitwise through the first stitch on the back needle, leaving it on the needle.
Repeat these four steps until the stitches have been grafted: (1) thread knitwise through the first front stitch and slide it off; (2) thread purlwise through the new first front stitch and leave it on; (3) thread purlwise through the first back stitch and slide it off; (4) thread knitwise through the new first back stitch and leave it on.