Free Sock Pattern

This sock pattern is my favorite one and I know it by heart. It’s my size, of course and it is the pattern I knit when I am working in automatic pilot. I just called Koigu Socks because it’s knitted with my favorite Koigu color.

Materials:

2 skeins of Koigu KPPPM 100% merino wool color P100D dye lot 279

1 set of double pointed needles size US #2

Gauge: 7sts/inch in St. St.

Abbreviations:

p = purl

ssk = slip as to purl, slip as to purl, k2tog through the back loop.

k = knit

sts = stitches

Note: Please check your gauge before you start knitting the sock to save time later.

Using long tail cast on, cast on 44(52, 60, 64) sts and divide sts onto 3 needles as follows:

Needle # 1: 11(13, 15, 16) sts;

Needle # 2: 22 (26, 30, 32) sts;

Needle # 3: 11(13, 15, 16) sts;

Join in the round being careful to not twist the sts. Use exchange st join or cast on an extra stitch and knit the first two sts together. Work ribbing 2X2 (k2, p2) for 4(5, 6, 7) inches or desired length (I chose 7 inches).

Heel: Combine sts from needle # 1 and # 3 in one needle: 22 (26, 30, 32) sts. These will be the heel flap. Working flat as follows (rib pattern):

Row 1: *Slip 1 as to purl, Knit one* across;

Row 2 : Slip 1 as to purl, purl all remaining sts;

Repeat these two rows until heel flap measures about 2 or 2,5 inches.

Turn Heel: With purl side facing you, work:

Row 1: P13 (15, 17, 18) sts, p2tog, p1 and turn your work;

Row 2: Slip 1 st as if to purl, k5, ssk, k1, turn your work;

Row 3: slip 1, p6, p2tog, p1, turn your work;

Row 4: slip 1, k7, ssk, k1, turn your work;

Important:

Continue working this way: work until you reach the gap: work the st before and the st after the gap TOGETHER, work one more st and turn; repeat this until you have NO sts left either side of gaps. Heel is turned!

Heel gusset:

Divide remaining heel sts onto 2 needles. Now we are back to 3 needle round mode. Knit sts from needle #1, pick up and knit 11 (13, 15, 16) along left side of heel flap. With empty needle knit across all sts on needle #2. And finally, starting needle #3, pick up and knit 11 (13, 15, 16) sts on the right side of heel flap then knit remaining sts of heel.

Note: I decided to keep pattern on needle #2 (rib 2X2).

Decrease as follows:

Round 1:

Needle #1: knit across until 3 sts remain, k2tog, k1;

Needle #2: knit across;

Needle # 3: k1, ssk, knit to end;

Round 2: knit all sts.

Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until you are back to the same number of sts you cast on: 44(52, 60, and 64) sts. When you reach this number, keep knitting plain rounds until sock reaches the toe fold. End having just knit across needle #3.

Toe:

Decrease as follows:

Round 1:

Needle #1: knit across until 3 sts remain, k2tog, k1;

Needle #2: k1, ssk, knit until 3 sts remain, k2tog, k1;

Needle # 3: k1, ssk, knit to end.

Round 2: knit all sts.

Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until 16sts remain (4 sts on each needle #1 and #3 and 8 sts on needle #2). Weave toe using Kitchener Stitch or grafting.

©Andrea Wong Knits

21 thoughts on “Free Sock Pattern

  1. Dear Andrea,
    (I attended your workshop in Franklin at Kindred Spirits)
    Thank you so much for the sock pattern. I am doing pretty good with the Portuguese knitting. I ended up tearing out my first hat attempt as I made a pattern error when I forgot to knit the extra stitch together when I joined the yarn together. Boy did that ever screw up the pattern!! Anyway it’s going really well now. Thank you so much for the work shop as well. I can see where this style of knitting will go much faster once it becomes second nature.
    becka

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  2. I have been looking at your sock pattern and I am confused. On the instructions it states HEEL: and then gives Row 1 inst: and the Row 2 & 4 and then it states to continue these two rows..Where is Row three or am I reading it wrong? Is it Row 1 then row 2 then repeat row 1 and the repeat 2?

    Margie sockgirl.

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    • Dear Margie,

      My bad! There are two rows on the heel flap and you should repeat these until heel falp is about 2,5 inches.

      Thank you for letting me know and paying attention!

      Andrea

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  3. Hello Andrea,
    I just watched you on Knitting Daily!! I’m impressed!! My fingers are sometimes “stiff”! So this Portguese method seem so GREAT!
    How would I sign up for a class?? Or would you be interested in giving a class here in Central Illinois?
    Many questions? But this is so interesting with the understanding of my hands now a days!

    marty

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    • Dear Marty,

      Thank you for taking the time to write me and letting me know you enjoy this style of knitting!
      I would be glad to teach in Illinois! I only have been there teaching once, in Elm Grove. If you belong to a guild or maybe talk to your favorite yarn shop to host me, I will be there. All I need is 10 students or more.

      In the mean time, if you have any questions about the technique let me know. Do you own my DVDs?

      I hope to hear from you soon,

      Andrea Wong

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  4. I just saw your ad in Interweave Knits magazine and became intrigued with Portuguese knitting. I saw that you will have a workshop in Michigan, April 17 & 18, 2010. Where exactly is it and how do I enroll in your class. Do I do this through the local knit shop or your website?

    I hope to hear back from you.
    Thanks,
    Gail

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    • Dear Gail,

      Thank you for contacting me. I am sorry it took me so long to answer but I was out of town for the holidays.
      I will be teaching at The Woven Art in East Lansing and the Yarn Garden in Charlotte. Please contact the yarn shop closest to you to enroll for class. If you have any other questions, please let me know.

      Andrea

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  5. Hi,
    I just saw you on Knitting Daily TV and I ordered 3 of your DVD’s and I can’t wait to start knitting in the Portuguese way! I have a question about the sock sizes that you have. You list in the pattern 4 different number of stitches for the cast on, but I don’t know what sizes they are for.

    Thank you very much..
    Jo-An

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    • Dear Jo-An

      I list the sizes in the pattern as well: they are child small, child medium, women and men respectively. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

      Andrea

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    • Dear Deby,

      I thought I had replied earlier, but I see my reply is not here!
      I work the first stitch normally, but always try to tug the second stitch on each needle. It looks like this movement avoid these running ladders on the sides between two consecutive needles. Is that clear?

      Andrea

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  6. Thank you for sock pattern. I see the cast on numbers but it does not indicate the sizes. I have been trying your method which is so unique. I can’t believe I am wanting to PURL! Linda

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  7. ps: I mean the heel not the sock. I didn’t want to do a simple heel which is not as fancy (I am a new knitter and all I’ve learned was reducing at the end of each row and couldn’t find the one you are showing). Thanks again. N

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    • Hi Sammie,

      The sizes are child small, child large, women and men. I would knit a man’s size with size US2 needles. When you knit a little bit of the cuff (about 3-4 inches) place your stitches on waist yarn and try them.

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  8. Hi Andrea I just started learning Portuguese knitting. I am really impressed with this style of knitting. I have arthritis in my fingers and I think this will be great for me. I was wondering if you have any videos for socks. I enjoy your teaching. I wish I knew a about this method of knitting when I was first learning to knit.

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    • Thank you Nita! I am so glad you enjoy! Yes, to answer your question I do have a sock DVD “All About Socks” and also have a pattern for a sock in my book “Portuguese Style of Knitting – Traditions, History and Techniques”. You can find both on my Etsy Shop:
      “https://www.etsy.com/shop/AndreaWongKnits?ref=hdr_shop_menu”>
      Have you learned from my Craftsy Class?

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  9. Yes I have learned a lot from your class. Thank you! I wish I knew about Portuguese knitting when I first picked up a knitting needle.

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