Baby Heel Flap Socks
Tiny top-down socks that stay on: a proper heel and a folded cuff. A great way to practise heel turns quickly.
- Yarn
- Sport (2) superwash wool.
- Needles
- US 2 (2.75 mm) DPNs
- Sizes
- Baby up to 12 months: sock around 4.5 in (11.5 cm), foot length 4 in (10 cm)
- Example gauge
- 26 sts and 36 rnds = 4 in (10 cm) in stockinette
- Yarn needed
- About 95 yd (85 m) sport for a pair.
- Stitch multiple
- 4
Do the math
The examples use the gauge above. Put your own swatch into the gauge calculator first, then use your numbers in each formula.
| Step | Formula | Example | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cast on | sock around × sts per in, rounded to a multiple of 4 | 4.5 × 6.5 = 29.25 → 28 sts | Cast-On Calculator |
| Heel sts (H) | cast on ÷ 2 | 14 | By hand |
| Heel turn row 1 | sl 1, k(H ÷ 2 + 1), ssk, k1 | sl 1, k8, ssk, k1 | By hand |
| After turn | H ÷ 2 + 3 (H ÷ 2 is odd) | 10 sts | By hand |
| Gusset pick-up | H ÷ 2 + 1 each side | 8 each side | By hand |
Materials
- Sport (2) yarn (see yarn needed)
- US 2 (2.75 mm) DPNs
- Tapestry needle
Gauge swatch
Swatch in the round.
Instructions
Cuff
Cast on (example: 28 sts). Join. Work *k1, p1* rib for 2.5 in (6 cm): long enough to fold down.
Heel
Work a heel flap over H sts for H rows (row 1: *sl 1, k1*; row 2: sl 1, purl to end).
Turn: row 1 sl 1, k8, ssk, k1, turn; row 2 sl 1, p5, p2tog, p1, turn; row 3 sl 1, k to 1 before gap, ssk, k1, turn; row 4 sl 1, p to 1 before gap, p2tog, p1, turn. 10 sts remain.
Gusset
Pick up 8 sts along each side of the flap. Decrease every other rnd (k2tog before instep, ssk after) until 28 sts remain (6 decrease rounds).
Foot and toe
Knit until the foot measures 3.25 in (8 cm) from the back of the heel. Work the wedge toe every other rnd to 16 sts, then every rnd to 8. Graft.
Finishing
- Weave in ends securely.
- Fold the cuff down.
Designer’s notes
- Knit the heel and toe in a contrast colour so it’s easy to see the shaping.
- For child sizes, work the same maths from the chart’s child row.
Counter set-up
Counter 1: flap rows. Counter 2: gusset rounds.
Open the row & stitch counter for several counters, or use the quick one below.
Tools for this pattern
- Size ChartsLook up the finished measurements for the size you are making.
- Gauge CalculatorEnter your swatch counts to get stitches and rows per 4 in (10 cm).
- Cast-On CalculatorEnter your width and gauge; it rounds to the stitch multiple for you.
- Yarn Quantity CalculatorPick the project, size and yarn weight to get total yardage and skeins to buy.
- Row & Stitch CounterSet up the counters listed below; the screen stays awake while you work.