These unisex socks are super cozy and stretchy. The easy wearability and the forgiving nature of the ribbing, which is an integral element of the design, make picking the right size for gifting less of an issue. If you keep them for yourself, you will pull these casual, sturdy socks out of the drawer time and time again, because they just feel so good on your feet. Sized xs to xxl.

Thank you to Elizabeth Alonso for allowing us to use her pics (the ones in the dark red).

Size

Sock Circumference 6 (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)” [15.25 (17.75, 20.25, 23, 25.5, 28) cm] to fit 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)” [17.75 (20.25, 23, 25.5, 28, 30.5) cm] foot circumference (taken at widest part of foot, near ankle)

.5-1” negative ease recommended.

Yarn

Shibuiknits (100% Superwash Merino; 191 yards [175 meters]/50 grams): Color Number 5001, 2 (2, 2, 3, 3) hanks

Editor’s Note: This yarn is discontinued, but many of our testers used Knit Picks Capretta (80% Merino, 10% Nylon, 10% Cashmere goat; 230 yards [210 meters]/50 gr)

Needles

Size US 0 (2 mm) needles, circulars or DPNs, for sock method of choice, or size needed to obtain gauge

Notions

3 stitch markers; tapestry needle

Gauge

32 sts and 48 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st.

32 sts and 48 rows = 4” [10 cm] in 1×1 ribbing, slightly stretched.

Abbreviations

Please see our standard abbreviations.

RT (right twist): K2tog without slipping off the LH needle, insert working needle into 1^st st and knit it as normal, dropping off LH needle.

LT (left twist): Slip 2 sts knitwise one at a time to RH needle, then sl them purlwise back to LH needle. Knit 2^nd st on LH needle tbl, k2tog tbl.

Pattern Notes

Because of the huge amount of stretch in these, if in doubt, when choosing between two sizes, go to the smaller size. When adjusting pattern for length, note that Diamond Panel measures 2” or 2.5 cm.

Diamond stitch panel is worked over center 19 stitches on instep with ribbing on either side of panel and over back of leg.

Chart

Ribbed Diamond Panel

Written directions at the bottom.

 

Sock instructions

CO 50 (58, 66, 74, 82, 90) sts using long-tail or equally stretchy cast on and join to work in the round.

Cuff

Work in k1p1 ribbing for 6 rnds. (.5” [1 cm]).

Leg

Work 3 (5, 7, 9, 11, 13) sts in ribbing as established, pm, work Diamond stitch panel over 19 stitches, pm, work 3 (5, 7, 9, 11, 13) instep sts in established ribbing and continue in ribbing over heel sts to end of rnd.

Continue working in established patterns, slipping markers as you come to them until Diamond Stitch Panel has been completed 2 times.

Heel

Turn work so that WS is facing, and begin working in rows over 25 (29, 33, 37, 41, 45) heel sts only.

Row 1 (WS): Sl 1 pwise wyb, rib to last st, k1, turn.

Row 2 (RS): Sl 1 pwise wyf, rib to last st, p1, turn.

Work these two rows 11 (13, 15, 17, 19, 21) more times, then work 1 more WS row, ending ready to work a RS row; 25 (29, 33, 37, 41, 45) total heel rows worked.

Heel Turn

Row 1 (RS): Sl 1, k13 (15, 17, 19, 21, 23), ssk, k1, turn.

Row 2 (WS): Sl 1, p4, p2tog, p1, turn.

Row 3 (RS): Sl 1, k to 1 st before gap, ssk over gap, k1, turn.

Row 4 (WS): Sl 1, p to 1 st before gap, p2tog over gap, p1, turn.

Rep Rows 3 and 4 until all sts have been used up; 15 (17, 19, 21, 23, 25) sts remain.

Gusset

The stitches to be picked up at either side of the heel flap resemble elongated vees. After the set-up is complete, the beginning of round will have been moved to center back of heel.

Set Up: K across all sts of heel proper and begin picking up heel flap sts as follows: pick up 1 st at gap, then pick up 12 (14, 16, 18, 20, 22) sts of flap and 1 more st at gap (14 (16, 18, 20, 22, 24) stitches picked up). On instep, rib 3 (5, 7, 9, 11, 13) sts as established, work row 1 of Diamond Stitch, rib 3 (5, 7, 9, 11, 13) sts; pick up 1 st at gap, then pick up 12 (14, 16, 18, 20, 22) sts of flap and 1 more st at gap, 14 (16, 18, 22, 24) stitches picked up), then continue knitting across 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12) sts. The next stitch is the center back of heel and the new beginning of rnd; mark this stitch if desired with safety pin or locking stitch marker.

Gusset Decreases

Rnd 1: K to 3 sts before instep, k2tog, k1, work all instep stitches in pattern as established, k1, ssk, k to end of rnd.

Rnd 2: K to instep, work instep as established, k to end of rnd.

Repeat Rnds 1 and 2 until 50 (58, 66, 74, 82, 90) sts remain.

Work even as established until Diamond panel has been completed 2 (2, 3, 3, 4, 4) more times; 4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 6) times total (including cuff).

Toe

Rnd 1: K to instep, rib across all 25 (29, 33, 37, 41, 45) instep sts, k to end of rnd.

Work in k1p1 ribbing over instep sts only until sock is approx. 1.25 (1.5, 1.5, 2, 2, 2)” [3 (4, 4,5, 5, 5) cm] shorter than desired finished foot length.

Toe Decreases

Rnd 1: Work as established to 2 sts before instep, k2tog, ssk, rib to last 2 sts of instep, k2tog, ssk, k to end of rnd. (4 sts decreased.)

Rnd 2: Work even as established, working ribbing over top of toe and stockinette over sole.

Repeat Rnds 1 and 2 5 more times. Then work Rnd 1 only to desired finished length, trying on sock if possible for fit and working an extra rnd or two without decreases as needed.

Knit across remaining sole sts to prepare for grafting.

Finishing

Graft toe sts. Weave in ends, block and enjoy!

Ribbed Diamond Panel

(19 st panel)

Rnd 1: P3, k1, p4, k3, p4, k1, p3.

Rnd 2: P2, RT, p3, RT, k1, LT, p3, LT, p2.

Rnd 3: P2, k1, p4, k5, p4, k1, p2.

Rnd 4: P1, RT, p3, RT, k3, LT, p3, LT, p1.

Rnd 5: P1, k1 p4, k7, p4, k1, p1.

Rnd 6: RT, p3, RT x 2, k1, LT x 2, p3, LT.

Rnd 7: K1, p4, k9, p4, k1.

Rnd 8: K1, p3, RT x 2, k3, LT x 2, p3, k1.

Rnd 9: K1, p3, k11, p3, k1.

Rnd 10: K1, p2, RT x 3, k1, LT x 3, p2, k1.

Rnd 11: K1, p2, k13, p2, k1.

Rnd 12: K1, p1, RT x 3, k3, LT x 3, p1 k1.

Rnd 13: K1, p1 k15, p1, k1.

Rnd 14: K1, p1, k1, RT x 3, k1, LT x 3, k1, p1, k1.

Rnd 15: K1, p1, k15, p1, k1.

Rnd 16: K1, p1, LT, RT x 2, k3, LT x 2, RT, p1, k1.

Rnd 17: K1, p2, k13, p2, k1.

Rnd 18: K1, p2, LT, RT x 2, k1, LT x 2, RT, p2, k1.

Rnd 19: K1, p3, k11, p3, k1.

Rnd 20: K1, p3, LT, RT, k3, LT, RT, p3, k1.

Rnd 21: K1, p4, k9, p4, k1.

Rnd 22: LT, p3, LT, RT, k1, LT, RT, p3, RT.

Rnd 23: P1, k1, p4, k7, p4, k1, p1.

Rnd 24: P1, LT, p3, LT, k3, RT, p3, RT, p1.

Rnd 25: P2, k1, p4, k5, p4, k1, p2.

Rnd 26: P2, LT, p3, LT, k1, RT, p3, RT, p2.