Free Pattern: Toddler Socks

I created this pattern to fit my 11-month old son Nathan, who has rather chubby, squarish feet.  The toe is less pointy than other baby socks I’ve knitted, and will probably fit most babies or toddlers better than the ridiculous-looking pointy-toed variety.  Who knows, maybe my baby is the only one with feet like Fred Flintstone.

As he grows, I’ll try making this sock with bigger needles, or I’ll alter the pattern and include something more interesting, like some cables.

I folded down the cuffs to keep these puppies on when he crawls.

Materials:

Fingering or sock yarn. I made the socks shown in Regia 4-ply color.

Size 2 DPNs or size to get gauge

Gauge: 9 sts/inch in st st

Cuff

Cast on 40 stitches and join in the round. Work 28 rounds of k2p2 ribbing.

Heel Flap

Arrange your stitches so you have 20 stitches on needle #1 and the remaining stitches split between needles #2 and #3. While slipping the first stitch of every row, work the 20 stitches on needle #1 back and forth in stockinette stitch for 15 rows. End with a purl row.

Turn the heel

Row 1: sl 1, k12, ssk, k1, turn

Row 2: sl 1, p7, p2tog, p1, turn

Row 3: sl 1, k8, ssk, k1, turn

Row 4: sl 1, p9, p2tog, p1, turn

Row 5: sl 1, k10, ssk, k1, turn

Row 6: sl 1, p11, p2tog, p1

Row 7: knit

You should now have 14 sts on needle #1.

Gussett

Pick up and knit 10 sts along the right side of the heel flap.  This is still needle #1.

With your second DPN, knit across the next 20 sts, which make up the instep.

With your third DPN, pick up 10 sts along the left side of the heel flap and knit 7 heel sts from needle 1.  You should now have a total of 54 stitches; 17 on needles #1 and #3 and 20 on needle 2.  You’re working in the round again, with the beginning of the round at the center of the heel stitches.

Round 1 (decrease round):

On needle #1: k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1

On needle #2: k across instep sts

On needle #3: k1, ssk, k to end of round

Round 2: knit

Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until 44 sts remain.

Foot

Work 20 rounds in stockinette stitch OR until the length is about 3/4" shorter than the intended toddler’s foot.

Toe

Round 1 (decrease round):

On needle #1: k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1

On needle #2: k1, ssk, k to last three sts, k2tog, k1

On needle #3: k1, ssk, k to end of round

Round 2: knit

Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until 28 sts remain.

Then repeat row 1 two more times—20 sts.

Graft the toe closed and weave in yarn ends.  Then find your squirmy toddler and put the socks on him or her, right away, no matter how much he or she squirms.  If you knit these socks, blog about it and let me know!

Here are the socks in action.