Dance Sockettes

Free pattern!! Toe-up and Top-Down versions written out below – see the bottom of the page for a PDF link for printing.

Little covers for toes and the balls of the feet to allow for pain-free spins – and bare heels to stop easily! Use up that pretty left over sock yarn. Do be careful – bare floors and socks can be slick.

Sizes: A (56 stitches around), B (60 stitches), C (64 stitches), D (68 stitches). Pattern is written as A(B,C,D).

Materials:

• · Sock weight yarn (aka Fingering weight, 1/Superfine), about half a small ball.

The pictured sample was knit in Opal Sockenwolle (#2110) and Fleece Artist Somoko (Blush).

Gauge: 7-8 stiches per inch (2.5 cm).

• · 5 double pointed needles OR 2 circular needles (for 2circ method) OR one extra long circular needle (for ML method) in the size needed to obtain gauge.  Check yarn ball band for suggested size.

• · Thread elastic.

• · Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and adding elastic.

Toe-Up Instructions:

Toe:

Figure-8 or Judy’s Magic Cast-on 24 stitches.

Round 1: Join, being careful not to twist, and k12, place marker, k12, place marker.

Round 2: k1, m1, k to one stitch before marker, m1, k1, sl m, k1, m1, k to one stitch before marker, m1, k1, sl m.  [4 stitches increased each round]

Round 3: knit

Repeat rounds 2 and 3, 8(9,10,11) more times.  [56(60,64,68) stitches in total]

Foot:

All Rounds: knit.

When sockette is 4” (or desired length), start cuff.

Ribbed Cuff:

Join new yarn, if desired.

Round 1:*p1, k1; rep from * to end.

Repeat Round 1 as desired (1” width shown).

Bind-off Instructions:

This is a combination of Peggy’s Stretchy Bind-Off, and Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off.

BO row: p1, *k1, pass purl stitch over, yo, pass knit stitch over, p1, pass yo over; rep from * to last stitch, k1, pass purl stitch over, cut yarn and pull yarn loop out. The yarn overs give more yarn to the bind-off without actually showing up as holes.

Weave in thread elastic along the inside of the ribbing for extra grip. Weave in ends.

Top-Down Instructions:

Cuff:

Cast-on 70(75,80,85) stitches. Join round, being careful not to twist.

Decrease Round 1:

The decrease round takes the stitch count down to the working leg size [56(60,64,68) sts remain]. The greater number of cast-on stitches prevents the top of the sock from being too tight to go over the heel.

 

*p1, k1, p1, k2tog; rep from * to end of round.

 

Round 1: *p1, k1; rep from * to end of round.

Repeat Round 1 to desired cuff depth. (0.75” shown)

Foot:

Join new yarn, if desired.

 

All Rounds: knit.

When sockette is 3.5” (or desired length), start toe (will take up approximately 1.5”).

Toe:

k28(30,32,34), pm,k28(30,32,34), pm.

Round 1: k1, ssk, k to three stitches before marker, k2tog, k1, slip marker, k1, ssk, k to three stitches before marker, k2tog, k1, slip marker.

Round 2: knit.

Repeat rounds 1 and 2, 8(9,10,11) more times.  [24 stitches remain]

Graft the 12 stitches (top and bottom) together.  Weave in thread elastic around the inside of the cuff for more grip. Weave in ends.

Or download both pdf files here

Abbreviations:

BO       bind-off

CO       cast-on

k            knit

k2tog            knit two together

m1            make one stitch

p            purl

pm            place marker

rnd[s]            round[s]

rep            repeat

ssk            sl 1, sl 1, then knit those 2 stitches together through the back loop

sl m            slip marker

st[s]             stitch[es]

tog            together