Learn to Knit Slouchy Socks

If you’re looking for a timeless and classic knit project, you’ll want to look into making knitted socks. Knit socks are great projects to work on for many reasons. They’re easy to carry around, so you can knit wherever you go. This also means that you’ll finish this project a little faster than others since you can always have it with you! Knitting socks is also a great way to learn how to knit on double pointed needles and in the round, which is also a skill used for making gloves and hats. You’ll also get to relish in the joy of knitting in the round! It may seem a little daunting to work with more than two needles but once you get the hang of it you’ll appreciate what knitting in the round can do.

Below we’ve created step by step instructions on how to knit slouchy socks.

If you’re looking for more socks to work on based on your skill level or different yarn weights then check out the following free knit sock patterns.

Knit Slouchy Socks

Instructions

The instructions are written for smallest size. If changes are necessary for larger sizes the instructions will be written thus(). Numbers for each size are shown in the same color throughout the pattern. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.Cast on 36 sts loosely. Divide onto 3 needles, having 12 sts on each needle. Join in rnd. Place marker on 1st stitch for beginning of round.

Casting on double pointed needles

Hold needles so that they form a triangle. Be careful not to twist cast on ridges around the needle (all cast on ridges should lay inside of triangle). With working yarn at front of work, using last (4th) needle, slip first stitch purlwise. Bring working yarn between needles to back of work. Slip stitch back onto first needle. Place a slip-ring marker around first stitch to indicate beginning of round.

1st rnd: *K1. P1. Rep from * around. Rep last rnd of (K1. P1) ribbing for 2 ins [5 cm].

First Round Knit Slouchy Socks

Using spare (4th) needle, work in (K1. P1) ribbing across stitches on first needle. Now you have the first needle empty. With empty needle, work in (K1. P1) ribbing across stitches on second needle. Repeat for third needle. One round of (K1. P1) ribbing is completed.

Knit in rnds until work from beg measures 7 ins [18 cm].

Knit Slouchy Socks Working in the Round

Knit Slouchy Socks Working in the Round 2

Knit Slouchy Socks Ribbing

Make Your Heel

*Remove marker indicating beginning of round,you do not need it while working the Heel.

Arrange sts as follows: Slip 3 sts from end of 1st needle onto beg of 2nd needle, 3 sts from beg of 3rd needle onto end of 2nd needle. 36 sts are now divided as: 9 sts on 1st needle, 18 sts on 2nd needle, and 9 sts on 3rd needle. Divide 18 sts on 2nd needle onto 2 needles and leave for INSTEP (will be worked later).

Knit 9 sts off 1st needle onto end of 3rd needle. 18 sts for Heel.

Note: The first stitch of Heel always will be slipped purlwise. Slipped stitches at edge look like a chain.

1st row: (WS). Sl1P. Purl to end of row.

2nd row: *Sl1P. K1. Rep from * to end of row. Rep last 2 rows 7 (8-9) times more, then 1st row once.

Knit Slouchy Socks Making a Heel


Shape heel

Note: The technique used is: “Short Turn Rows”. Short turn rows are formed by working across some of the stitches on the left-hand needle. After turning, leave remaining stitches unworked.

1st row: (RS). K10. Sl1. K1. psso. K1.turn.

2nd row: Sl1P. P4. P2tog. P1. turn.

3rd row: Sl1P. K5. Sl1. K1. psso. K1. turn.

4th row: Sl1P. P6. P2tog. P1. turn.

5th row: Sl1P. K7. Sl1. K1. psso. K1. turn.

6th row: Sl1P. P8. P2tog. P1. turn.

7th row: Sl1P. Knit to end of row. 12 sts.

Knit Slouchy Socks Heel


Heel is complete when all unworked stitches are used for decreasings.

Shape instep

It’s time to use the INSTEP stitches that were set aside on 2 double-pointed needles and start working in rounds again.

With RS of work facing and 1st needle, pick up and knit 8 (9-10) sts along left side of heel.

Knit Slouchy Socks Shape Instep

The Sl1P “chains” at each side of Heel are very helpful to make your pick up easy. Note: Pick up stitches at sides of Heel through both loops of “chains”.


The Basic Sock (Chunky) 23 With 2nd needle, K18 sts across instep. With 3rd needle, pick up and knit 8 (9-10) sts along other side of heel. K6 from heel onto 3rd needle. Slip rem 6 sts from heel onto beg of 1st needle. 46 (48-50) sts are now divided as follows: 14 (15-16) sts on 1st needle, 18 sts on 2nd needle and 14 (15-16) sts on 3rd needle.

Knit Slouchy Socks Shape Instep 2

Place a slip-ring marker around first stitch to indicate beginning of round. Now you are back to ROUNDS.

Instep Decreases

Note: The total number of stitches for foot should be equal to the total number of cast on stitches for Leg. You will work decreases at bottom corners of Heel Flap until required number of stitches is obtained.

1st rnd: 1st needle: Knit to last 3 sts. K2tog. K1. 2nd needle: Knit. 3rd needle: K1. Sl1. K1. psso. Knit to end of needle.

2nd rnd: Knit. Rep these 2 rnds to 36 sts divided as: 9 sts on 1st needle, 18 sts on 2nd needle and 9 sts on 3rd needle.

Knit Slouchy Socks Instep Decreases

Now you can relax and knit even in rounds until desired length.


Knit in rnds until work from picked up row measures 6 (61/2-7) ins [15 (16.5-18) cm].

Knit Slouchy Socks Instep Decreases

You are almost done with your sock. A little detail is left: Shape toe.

1st rnd: 1st needle: Knit to last 3 sts.K2tog. K1. 2nd needle: K1. Sl1. K1. psso. Knit to last 3 sts. K2tog. K1.

3rd needle: K1. Sl1. K1. psso. Knit to end of needle.

2nd rnd: Knit. Rep these 2 rnds to 16 sts.

Knit Slouchy Socks Instep Decreases

Grafting the very last stitches together will give an accomplished look to the first (but not the last) sock. If you have difficulty with grafting, then cast off all stitches and sew seam.

Knit sts of 1st needle onto end of 3rd needle. Break yarn, leaving an end 8 ins [20.5 cm] long. Graft 2 sets of 8 sts tog for toe.

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