Basic Socks (Top Down)

Hi everyone! Today's free pattern is for basic ankle socks! These simple socks are knit from the top down and are 100% seamless! While I used DPNs for the socks, You could also knit them with circular needles (I personally prefer DPNs for socks, but that is just my opinion). The socks are available in three adult sizes and are also unisex. They are the perfect pattern for weekends and the socks make great gifts.

Continue scrolling down to find the free version of the pattern. If you would like to purchase the PDF pattern, it is available to purchase via my website.

© Kari-Elyssa Designs 2020-2022. All Rights Reserved. This pattern is strictly for personal use only. You are not permitted to sell finished versions of the socks without written consent to do so. Do not copy, translate, alter, reproduce, redistribute, share, sell, repost, or distribute the pattern or pattern page in any way or any media format. Use of the feature photographs is prohibited.  Thank you!

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Difficultly Level

Intermediate

Materials

• Fingering Weight Yarn, shown here in Qing Fibre Super Soft Sock (80% merino wool, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon; 437yd/400m per 100g/3.5oz) 1 skein in Underwater
• US 1.5 (2.5mm) DPNs, or size needed to obtain gauge
• Tapestry needle 
• 1 stitch marker 
• Sock blockers (optional) 

Gauge

36 sts and 48 rows= 4”/10cm over Stockinette Stitch in the round

Sizes

Women’s S/Men’s XS (Women’s M/Men’s S, Women’s L/Men’s M). The size shown is a Women’s large. For reference, the model generally wears a Women’s US 10 (EU 41) shoe size.

Finished Measurements

• Circumference: 7 (7.5, 8) in. [17.8cm (19cm, 20.3cm)] 
• Ankle Height: 10 in. (25.4cm) from cast on edge to bottom of heel 
• Foot Length: 10.25 in. (26cm) from back of heel to tip of toe, see pattern notes*

Pattern Notes

• The socks are knit with 10% negative ease. 
• The pattern is worked entirely in the round, with no seaming. 
• The socks are knit from the top down. 
• A Dutch heel flap and heel turn with gusset decrease are used for the socks. 
• * The foot length is adjustable. 
• Needles 2 and 3 are the sock’s instep; needles 1 and 4 are the sock’s heel.
• You may block the finished socks with a sock blocker if desired. 
• With yarn in back, slip all stitches as if to purl unless otherwise stated. 
• The socks have a semi-slouchy fit around the ankle. 
• Smallest size is given outside parentheses, followed by larger sizes.

Abbreviations

• K: Knit 
• P: Purl 
• K2tog: Knit two stitches together 
• P2tog: Purl 2 stitches together 
• Ssk: With yarn in back, slip two stitches to right needle as if to purl, insert left needle through the front of slipped stitches and knit. 
• Rnd: Round 
• St(s): Stitch(es) 
• St st: Stockinette stitch 
• WS: Wrong side 
• RS: Right side 
• Sl: Slip 
• DPNs: Double pointed needles 

For elastic cast on: tutorial
For top down sock toe closures: tutorial

Directions

With long tail or elastic cast on method, cast on 64 (68, 72) sts; divide evenly between 4 DPNs with 16 (17, 18) sts on each needle. Join in the round, being careful not to twist sts. Place marker for beginning of round. 

Cuff 
Rnd 1: *k2, p2; repeat from * to end of rnd. 
Work the established pattern until ribbing measures 1.5 in. (4cm) from cast on edge. 

Ankle 
Rnd 1: Knit all sts. 
Work in Stockinette stitch until sock measures 6.75 in. (17.1cm) from cast on edge. 
Heel Flap Setup Row: Continue with St st across to needle 4. Working across needle 4 and 1, begin heel flap as follows: *sl1, k1; repeat from * to end of row. Turn. 
You will now continue working in rows for the Dutch heel flap. Redistribute the sts of Needles 1 and 4 onto one needle. 
Row 1 (WS): Sl1, p31 (p33, p35). 
Row 2 (RS): *Sl1, k1; repeat from * to end of row. 
Repeat Rows 1-2 29 (31, 33) more times for a total of 32 (34, 36) rows. There will be 16 (17, 18) sts along the side of the heel flap. End with a WS row. 

Heel Turn 
Divide the heel flap stitches evenly into sections. There will be twelve sts in the center group of sts, and 10 (11, 12) on either side. Place marker to designate central sts. 
Row 1(RS): Knit across to last st in central group; ssk. Turn. 
Row 2 (WS): Sl 1, p to last st in central group; p2tog. Turn. 
Repeat Rows 1-2 until only central 12 sts remain. End after a WS row.
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Gusset Decrease Setup Rnd: Pick up an knit 16 (17, 18) sts from side of heel flap plus 1 extra st between heel flap and instep. Continue in St st across Needles 2 and 3. Pick up 1 extra st between instep and heel flap along with 16 (17, 18) sts from side of heel flap, knit 6 sts from heel. Place marker for new beginning of round. The needle numbers will remain the same. There should be 23 (24, 25) sts on Needles 1 and 4, 16 (17, 18) sts on Needles 2 and 3. 
Continue in St st across needles 2 and 3. Work the gusset decrease for all sizes across needles 1 and 4 as follows: 
Rnd 2: Knit alls sts. 
Rnd 3: Knit to last 2 sts on Needle 1; k2tog. Continue in St st over Needles 2 and 3. Ssk, knit to end of rnd. 
Repeat Rnds 2 and 3 until there are 16 (17, 18) sts remaining on both Needles 1 and 4 32 (34, 36) sts total.
 
Foot 
Continue in Stockinette stitch until sock measures 8.25 in. (20.9cm) or desired length minus 2 in. (5cm) from back of heel. 

Toe 
Rnd 1: Needle 1: Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. Needle 2: K1, ssk, knit across remaining sts. Needle 3: Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. Needle 4: K1, ssk, knit across remaining sts. 
Rnd 2: Knit all sts. 
Repeat Rnds 1-2 until 5 sts remain on each needle. 
Knit across Needle 1, then combine the sts of Needle 1 and Needle 4 onto one needle, then the sts of Needle 2 and Needle 3 onto another. Cut yarn, leaving about 15 in. (38cm). Graft toe closed using the Kitchener Stitch. Fasten off, secure toe and thread remaining ends to the inside of the sock. 
Repeat the pattern instructions for second sock. 
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Finishing 
Weave in remaining ends. Block socks using a sock blocker if desired.

I hope you enjoyed these socks! If you have any questions or concerns regarding the pattern, please feel free to contact me here. While I work extensively to make sure patterns are free of errors, no one is a perfect machine, and mistakes happen from time to time. I will gladly make an update or post an errata link if needed.
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Happy knitting!