Extensibles Socks for everyone
When knitting socks for babies and kids, we want two things: socks that stay on, and socks that will fit for at least a couple of months. I use ribbing in this pattern to create the perfect socks. My baby – who really likes to grab her feet – doesn’t take them off! And my older kid have been wearing them for months, because they stretch as his feet grow. After working that much on socks for them, I thought I could knit one for me also, so I decided to add women and men sizes.
The sizes for babies have ribbing all around the ankle, because babies are well known to loose their socks! For older kids and adults, you only need ribbing on the front of the ankle.
Choosing the right size
Before you choose which size you’ll knit, measure the foot circumference and length. If you don’t have access to the wearer’s feet, follow the suggested sizes, it will fit most of the time.
I also suggest foot lengths for every age, but it’ll be best if you just knit a little longer than the foot length – or the actual foot length for adults who don’t grow up anymore. Finally, for babies who don’t walk, you should knit the length I suggest. Since the socks don’t need to fit in shoes, you just want them to fit for months!
Sizes
0-6 months (6-18 months, 2-3 years, 4-9 years, 10-14 years, women, men)
Foot circumference (not stretched) : 9 (11, 14, 16, 19, 20, 22) cm / 3,75 (4,5; 5,5; 6,5; 7,5; 8; 8,5)”
Foot circumference (stretched) : 13 (15, 19, 22, 25, 27, 29) cm / 5 (6; 7,5; 8,5; 10; 10,5: 11,25)”
Material
Yarn : Fingering yarn, about 75 (90, 110, 175, 220, 250, 290) meters.
The women sock is knit with Laine à bas by La Bobineuse. The baby socks are knit with Painter’s Palette Premium Merino (KPPPM) by Koigu.
Needles : 5 double pointed needles 2,25 mm (US 1), or needle size to get gauge
Gauge : 15 stitches = 5 cm / 2″ in stockinette stitch in round
Instructions
Cast on 32 (40, 48, 56, 64, 68, 72) stitches and divide on 4 needles = 8 (10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 18) stitches on each needle. Join in round.
Knit in ribbing 2-2 (*knit 2, purl 2*, repeat from * to * around), for 4 cm (1,5″).
Ankle
Option 1 :
For babies, you should continue in ribbing 2-2, so you are sure the socks will stay on. You may prefer to continue in ribbing for other sizes also. So continue in ribbing for 3 (3, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9) cm / 1,25 (1,25; 1,25; 2; 2,75; 3,25; 3,5)”.
Options 2 :
For older child and adults, you may knit ribbing only on the front of the foot, this way : knit 16 (20, 24, 28, 32, 34, 36), 16 (20, 24, 28, 32, 34, 36) in ribbing 2-2. Repeat this round for 3 (3, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9) cm / 1,25 (1,25; 1,25; 2; 2,75; 3,25; 3,5)”.
Heel
The heel is knitted flat on half the stitches.
Row 1 : knit 16 (20, 24, 28, 32, 34, 36). Turn.
Row 2 : slip the first stitch as if to purl, purl 15 (19, 23, 27, 31, 33, 35). Turn.
Row 3 : *slip 1 stitch as if to purl, knit 1* Repeat from * to * to the end * (16 (20, 24, 28, 32, 34, 36) stitches). Turn.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 for 3 (4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7) cm / 1,25 (1,5; 2; 2,5; 2,5; 2,75)”. End with row 2.
Turning the heel
Row 1 (RS) : knit 11 (13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 21). Turn.
Row 2 (WS) : Slip 1 stitch as if to purl, purl 4, purl 2 together, purl 1. Turn.
Row 3 (RS) : Slip 1 stitch as if to knit, knit 5, ssk, knit 1. Turn.
Row 4 (WS) : Slip 1 stitch as if to purl, purl 6, purl 2 together, purl 1. Turn.
Row 5 (RS) : Slip 1 stitch as if to knit, knit 7, ssk, knit 1. Turn.
Continue as established, adding 1 stitch each row (row 6 = purl 8, row 7 = knit 9). End with a right side row, when you reach the last stitch of the row.
Do not turn.
Picking up stitches
Divide your heel stitches on 2 needles. The beginning of round is now in the middle of the heel.
Pick up and knit stitches on each side of the heel flap this way :
Insert needle under the V on the side of the heel flap, then knit it. Repeat to the end of the heel flap.
Work the two needles with your held stitches for the front of the foot (in ribbing 2-2), pick up and knit stitches on the other side of the heel flap, and end knitting half the stitches of the heel flap to reach the end of round.
Heel decreases
Round 1 (decrease round) :
Needle 1 : knit to 3 stitches from end, knit 2 together, knit 1.
Needles 2 and 3 : work in ribbing 2-2.
Needle 4 : knit 1, ssk, knit to the end.
Round 2 : Knit all stitches of needles 1 and 4, work needles 2 and 3 in ribbing 2-2.
Continue, working rounds 1 and 2 until you have 8 (10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 18) stitches left on each needles (total of 32 (40, 48, 56, 64, 68, 72) stitches).
Then, continue working only round 2 until the foot have reach the desired length minus 3 (3, 4, 5, 6, 6, 7) cm / 1 (1,25; 1,75; 2; 2,25; 2,5; 2,75)”, or until it is about :
- 0-6 months : 6 to 7 cm / 2,5 to 3″
- 6-18 months : 7 to 9 cm / 2,25 to 3,25″
- 2-3 years : 8 to 11 cm / 3 to 4,25″
- 4-5 years : 11 to 14 cm / 4,5 to 5,5″
- 6-9 years : 15 to 17 cm / 5,75 to 6,5″
- 10-14 years : 16 to 18 cm / 6,25 to 7,25″
- Women : 16 to 20 cm / 6,25 to 7,75″
- Men : 17 to 23 cm / 6,75 to 9″
Toes
Round 1 (decrease round) :
Needle 1 : knit to 3 stitches from end, knit 2 together, knit 1.
Needle 2 : knit 1, ssk, work in ribbing 2-2 to the end.
Needle 3 : work in ribbing 2-2 to 3 stitches from end, knit 2 together, knit 1.
Needle 4 : knit 1, ssk, knit to end.
Round 2 : knit without decreases, as established.
Repeat those 2 rounds a total of 3 (4, 5, 6, 7, 7, 8) times.
Then, repeat only round 1 until you have 8 stitches left. Cut yarn and thread tail through remaining stitches.
Weave in ends and block.
I hope you liked this pattern. If you have questions, please write them in comments, I will answer as soon as possible.
