Socks on 9” Circular Knitting Needles

In this video, Madeline from Knitting House Square shows step-by-step how to knit a pair of socks on 9" circular knitting needles. The 9-inch circular knitting needles are a fun alternative to circular knitting needles or double-pointed knitting needles! She starts by showing how to cast on and join in the round, then work the cuff and leg. Next up is a short row heel and the foot of the sock. Lastly, Madeline demonstrates how to switch to magic loop to work the toe decreases and Kitchener stitch bind-off. The free pattern is linked below and is available in 3 sizes!

Gauge: 24 rounds x 20 stitches = 2” x 2” stockinette in the round

Yarn
200 - 400 yds (183 – 366 m) total fingering weight yarn (weight #1)
o   The exact amount of yarn required will depend on the size knit, cuff length, and foot length
o   Self-Striping Yarn: Must Stash Yarn in The Shell Seekers (Must Stash Yarn)
o   Solid Yarn: Dye is Cast Squish Wish in Under the Sea (Loop Yarn)

Materials
• 9” Circular Knitting Needle US 0 (2 mm) Amazon
• 40” Circular Knitting Needle US 0 (2 mm) for Magic Loop Toe (substitution option: double-pointed knitting needles) Amazon
• 3 Thin Metal Stitch Markers Amazon
• Tapestry Needle Amazon
• Scissors
• Ruler

Disclaimer: Some links provided are affiliate links and I receive a small commission when used. These commissions help to support the free content I offer!

Free Knitting Pattern

Sizes, Materials & Gauge

Small (Medium) [Large] fit 7” (7.5”) [8”] foot circumference, or 18 (19) [20] cm.

200–400 yards (183–366 m) fingering yarn; US 0 (2 mm) 9” circular needle and US 0 circular needle at least 40” long for magic loop; 3 thin stitch markers; tapestry needle; ruler; scissors. If new to socks or knitting tightly, try US 1 (2.25 mm) for both needles.

Gauge: 24 rounds × 20 stitches = 2” × 2” in stockinette in the round.

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.

MDS (make a double stitch): On a wrong-side purl row, slip one stitch to the right needle, pull the working yarn up over the right needle, then bring it between the needles to the front. On a right-side knit row, bring the yarn to the front, slip one stitch to the right needle, then pull the yarn up and over the needle to the back.

Cast On, Cuff & Leg

Cast on 64 (68) [72] stitches to the 9” needle using a stretchy cast-on and the cuff color if using a contrast color. Place a marker and join in the round.

Repeat (knit 1, purl 1) for 1.5”–2” (3.8–5.1 cm). If using a contrast cuff, cut it and join the main color. Knit the leg to the desired length, allowing another 1.5”–2” (3.8–5.1 cm) for the heel. If using a contrast heel, set aside the main yarn without cutting and join the heel yarn.

Heel: First Half

Knit 31 (33) [35], turn. Work rows E–U for small, C–U for medium, or A–U for large.

Row A: MDS, Purl 33; turn.

Row B: MDS, Knit 32; turn.

Row C: MDS, Purl 31; turn.

Row D: MDS, Knit 30; turn.

Row E: MDS, Purl 29; turn.

Row F: MDS, Knit 28; turn.

Row G: MDS, Purl 27; turn.

Row H: MDS, Knit 26; turn.

Row I: MDS, Purl 25; turn.

Row J: MDS, Knit 24; turn.

Row K: MDS, Purl 23; turn.

Row L: MDS, Knit 22; turn.

Row M: MDS, Purl 21; turn.

Row N: MDS, Knit 20; turn.

Row O: MDS, Purl 19; turn.

Row P: MDS, Knit 18; turn.

Row Q: MDS, Purl 17; turn.

Row R: MDS, Knit 16; turn.

Row S: MDS, Purl 15; turn.

Row T: MDS, Knit 14; turn.

Row U: MDS, Purl 13; turn.

Heel Center Rows

MDS, knit 12, place a marker, knit across the double stitches and knit 1 additional stitch; turn. Work each double stitch as a knit two together.

MDS, purl to the marker, slip it, purl 12, place a marker, purl the remaining stitches up to the beginning-of-round marker, working each double stitch as a purl two together; turn.

Heel: Second Half

MDS, knit to the second marker, remove it, knit 1; turn. MDS, purl to the remaining marker, remove it, purl 1; turn.

Work rows A–P for small, A–R for medium, or A–T for large.

Row A: MDS, Knit 14; turn.

Row B: MDS, Purl 15; turn.

Row C: MDS, Knit 16; turn.

Row D: MDS, Purl 17; turn.

Row E: MDS, Knit 18; turn.

Row F: MDS, Purl 19; turn.

Row G: MDS, Knit 20; turn.

Row H: MDS, Purl 21; turn.

Row I: MDS, Knit 22; turn.

Row J: MDS, Purl 23; turn.

Row K: MDS, Knit 24; turn.

Row L: MDS, Purl 25; turn.

Row M: MDS, Knit 26; turn.

Row N: MDS, Purl 27; turn.

Row O: MDS, Knit 28; turn.

Row P: MDS, Purl 29; turn.

Row Q: MDS, Knit 30; turn.

Row R: MDS, Purl 31; turn.

Row S: MDS, Knit 32; turn.

Row T: MDS, Purl 33; turn.

Rejoin in the Round

If heel and foot are the same color: MDS and knit across the full round.

If using a contrast heel: cut the heel yarn leaving an 8” (20 cm) tail. Pass the double stitch from right to left needle and knit it together with the foot color. Make a double stitch by bringing the heel tail to the front and up over the left needle to the back; knit the new double stitch together with the foot color. Continue knitting around.

Foot

Knit until the sock is 2” (5 cm) shorter than the desired length. For a contrast toe, cut the foot color and join the toe color.

Toe Decreases

Transfer the stitches to the long circular needle, dividing evenly for magic loop.

Decrease round: On the heel side, knit 1, SSK, knit until 3 stitches remain, K2T, knit 1. On the front side, knit 1, SSK, work in pattern until 3 remain, K2T, knit 1.

Knit round 1. Work decrease rounds 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24. Knit the intervening rounds. After round 24, 12 (14) [16] stitches remain per needle, or 24 (28) [32] total. Graft the toe and make 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.