Worsted Ribbed Boot Socks
Thick house-and-boot socks in worsted: the same heel-flap recipe at a quick gauge, with a ribbed instep.
- Yarn
- Worsted (4) superwash wool with some nylon.
- Needles
- US 5 (3.75 mm) DPNs or long circular: smaller than usual for a dense sock fabric
- Sizes
- Any size from the sock chart. Example: women’s L, sock around 7.75 in (19.5 cm), foot 10 in (25 cm).
- Example gauge
- 20 sts and 28 rnds = 4 in (10 cm) in stockinette
- Yarn needed
- About 315 yd (290 m) worsted for women’s L (the chart’s 300 yd + 5% for rib).
- 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 | 7.75 × 5 = 38.75 → 40 sts | Cast-On Calculator |
| Heel sts (H) | cast on ÷ 2 | 20 | By hand |
| Heel turn row 1 | sl 1, k(H ÷ 2 + 1), ssk, k1 | sl 1, k11, ssk, k1 | By hand |
| Heel sts after turn | H ÷ 2 + 2 when H ÷ 2 is even | 12 sts | By hand |
| Gusset pick-up | H ÷ 2 + 1 each side | 11 each side | By hand |
Materials
- Worsted (4) yarn (see yarn needed)
- US 5 (3.75 mm) DPNs or long circular: smaller than usual for a dense sock fabric
- Markers
- Tapestry needle
Gauge swatch
Swatch in the round on the sock needle.
Instructions
Cuff and leg
Cast on (example: 40 sts). Join. Work *k2, p2* rib for 7 in (18 cm).
Heel flap and turn
Work the heel flap over H sts for H rows as in the Top-Down Heel Flap Socks.
Turn the heel: row 1 sl 1, k(H ÷ 2 + 1), ssk, k1, turn; row 2 sl 1, p5, p2tog, p1, turn; then close one gap per row. With H = 20 the last RS and WS rows have no stitch for the final k1/p1: skip it.
Gusset
Pick up the gusset sts as in the heel flap sock. Keep the instep in *k2, p2* rib and the sole in stockinette.
Decrease every other round at the gusset until you have the cast-on count (example: 12 + 22 + 20 = 54 → 40, 7 decrease rounds).
Foot and toe
Work until the foot measures foot length − 1.75 in. Work the wedge toe (every other round until about half the sts remain, then every round until about a quarter remain; example: 40 → 20 → 12). Graft.
Finishing
- Weave in ends.
- Worsted socks wear fastest at the heel: consider reinforcing the heel flap with a strand of sock yarn held together.
Designer’s notes
- Wearing these in boots? Choose a size one smaller than your usual sock chart size for a snug fit.
- The rib on the instep hugs the foot, so the sock stays up.
Counter set-up
Counter 1: flap rows. Counter 2: gusset decreases.
Open the row & stitch counter for several counters, or use the quick one below.
Want it on paper? This pattern is in Winter Warmers pattern collection, a printable PDF of 12 patterns with photos and row tallies ($8).
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.