Fun and Easy Toe Socks

Fun and Easy Toe Socks 

Toe Socks

This tube-style toe sock knits up quickly because it has no fitted heel and therefore there is no right or left sock.  Shaping the toes can be a bit time-consuming but is really worth the effort when you see the delight in the person who receives these unique and gorgeous socks!

Yarn

Fine Sock Yarn – multi-colored is fun; suggest soft acrylic or washable alpaca or merino blend

Needles

4 Double pointed needles (DPN) – size US 2 (2.75 mm) – recommend bamboo -  7 inch length

Circular needles size US 2 -  a 16 inch length works well – recommend use of circular needles until you get to the toes because it goes more quickly than DPN and makes a smooth sock tube

Note:  Sock length depends on personal preference, but for toe socks, generally knee sock length is best.  16 inches works well for a shorter person (under  5 ft 4 in).  Add additional length for taller people. 

Instructions

Cuff:  CO 56 stitches loosely onto circular needles.  Be sure yarn is not twisted before tying ends into a circle.  Work in K2 P2 for 1 ½ inches.

Sock:  Change to K7 P7 pattern and continue with circular needles until desired sock length.  You could also use K4 P4 or continue in K2 P2 if you prefer for the entire length of the sock. 

Toes:  Toe length varies from one person to the next, so to be sure the socks will fit well, try them on as they are being knitted or trace the foot of the lucky recipient of these socks to use as your guide.  If you make adjustments to the knitted toe length, be sure to record your measurements so you can knit the other sock the same way!

Read through these directions carefully as this can be a bit tricky!  You will be switching from circular needles to DPNs for the toes.

Little toe:  K 22 onto two DPNs and then put remaining  34 stitches of this round and first 8 stitches of the next round on a holding needle (e.g. cable knit holder).  CO 4 stitches to a 3^rd DPN to form a dividing edge for the adjacent toe.  (I didn’t get this at first.. but you are are making the separation between toes.  Seems odd at first but once you finish one toe, you will get it – so keep going).  Total of 18 sts on 3 needles.  Work in st st for 1 in.  To Finish Toe:  K2tog until 4 or 5 sts remain.   Cut yarn leaving 3 or 4 inches to draw through remaining sts and then tie off.  Pull yarn through top of toe and weave through on inside.

Replace held sts from holding needle and reattach yarn near little toe edge. Pick up and knit 4 sts along CO edge.   Mark the beginning of this round and work in original pattern (K 7 P 7) for 4 rounds.  On round 2,  increase by 4 sts by knitting into the front and back of the same st, spacing this out evenly (about every 10 sts).  Total of 50 sts.  You’re ready for the next toe!

4^th Toe:  K13, place next 37 sts on holding needle.   CO 5 sts to form another toe separation edge.  Total of 18 sts.  Work in st st for 1.5 in.  Finish as with little toe.

Middle Toe:  Reattach yarn near toe separation edge.  Place first 5 sts from holder onto dpn and knit.  CO 5 sts to form new toe separation.  Place last 4 sts from holder onto another dpn and knit.  Pick up and K 4 sts from edge of 4^th toe.  Total 18 sts.  Work in st st for 1.5-2 in.  Finish as with other toes.

2^nd Toe:  Work in same way as middle toe.

Big Toe:  Place remaining 19 sts from holding needle onto DPNs, reattach yarn and K.  Pick up and K 5 sts from edge of 2^nd toe.  Total 24 sts.  Work in st st for 2 in.  Finish toe with K2tog until 6 sts remain.  Cut yarn, leaving 3-4 inches, draw through remaining sts and tie off. 

You did it!  Onto the next sock…..

Abbreviations:

      CO …. cast on

       K  ….  knit

K2tog ….. knit 2 together

       P……  purl

St st …..  stockinette stitch