Two Models of Men's Socks

Two pairs of men's socks to knit. One is plain and utilitarian, the other is a fine, spiral pattern with no heel to turn. 

Plain Men's Socks

Here's a pattern for an ordinary men's pair of socks adapted from an old military style

6 oz  knitting worsted (sport weight or heavier fingering weight. ) Colors: Military colors are Khaki, Navy, Maroon, Dark Gray, Light Gray, and "Air Force Blue" (a mid blue-gray.)

Gauge: 5 1/2 stitches per inch, 7 rounds to a vertical inch.

Needles: Double-pointed needles in set of 4 or 5 needles. Size 4 mm (size 5) or whatever needle to achieve gauge.

Cast on 50 stitches on one of the needles. Divide up among the 3 or 4 needles. Join round, and knit k1,p1 ribbing for 4 inches.

At the end of the ribbing rounds, decrease to:

44 stitches for a small

46 for a medium

48 for a large

Continue to knit, in plain stockinette (all knit rounds) for 3 inches.

Decrease round 1: At beginning of round, k1, k2 together. Continue to last needle. 3 stitches before the end of the round, ssk, k1.

Work 1 inch plain knit.

Decrease round 2: repeat first decrease round. You will now have:

40-42-44 stitches, depending on size. Knit in plain knit until total knitting measures 11 inches.

Heel flap: Take 9 (10-11) stitches from the first needle and 9 (10 - 11) stitches from the last needle and knit onto one needle. This forms the heel flap. Put remaining stitches on two other needles (or put onto a strand of wool if you want to avoid the instep "gap") Knit the flap as follows:

Wrong side row: Slip 1,p1; repeat to end.

Right side row: Slip 1, knit 1, repeat to end.

Repeat these rows for 20 (22 - 24) rows.

Turn heel:

Right side facing, slip 1, knit 9 (10 - 11), k2tog, k1, TURN;

Slip 1, purl 3, purl 2 tog, p1, TURN;

Now repeat, working one more stitch before the k2tog or p2tog until 10 (12 - 12) stitches remain. Knit one row across heel.

Instep: Put instep stitches onto one needle. Take another needle, pick up 11 (12 - 13) stitches along left side of heel. With next needle, knit across the instep stitches. With another needle, pick up another 11 (12 - 13) stitches along right side of heel. Knit half heel stitches onto this needle.

On each heel needles (1 and 3) there will be 16 (18 - 19) stitches.

Instep Decrease: Knit first heel needle to 3 stitches before instep needle. K2tog, k1. Now knit instep needle. Third needle: k1, ssk, knit to end. This is a decrease round.

Next round: Knit plain on all needles.

Repeat these two round until 40 (42 - 44) stitches remain.

Knit plain until foot piece measures 8 1/2 (9 1/2 - 10 1/2) inches from back of heel OR until length is 2 inches less than desired completed foot length.

Toe: Knit to 3 stitches before end of first heel needle: k2tog, k1. Instep needle: k1, ssk, knit to 3 stitches before end of instep needle: k2tog, k1, last (heel) needle; k1, ssk, knit to end.

Next round: knit plain.

Repeat these two rows until 12 (14 - 16) stitches remain.

Kitchener Stitch: Put both heel needle stitches on one needle: 6 (7 - 8). 6 (7 - 8) stitches on instep needle. Break off about 10 inches of yarn and thread a yarn needle. Hold knitting needles together, right side out. Slip first front needle stitch as to knit, slip off, slip next front needle stitch as to purl, leave on needle. Slip first back needle stitch as to purl, slip off, slip next back needle stitch as to knit, leave on. Repeat until all stitches are woven. Weave in loose end. Weave cast on tail in at the top of the sock. Press lightly with a steam iron (just hover over the sock, don't actually iron.)

These socks have no heel and an easy spiral pattern.

6 oz sock  yarn.

4 mm double-pointed needles or size to achieve gauge (8 rounds to an inch vertical.)

Cast on 48 stitches and knit k2,p2 ribbing for 3 inches. 

Pattern Stitch:

Round 1 - 4: K4, P4; repeat to end

Round 5 - 8: K3;*P4, K4, repeat *  end on k1.

Round 9 - 12: k2, *P4,K4, repeat *, k2

Round 13 - 16: k1,*P4, K4, repeat *, k3

Round 17 - 20: P4,K4, repeat

Round 21 - 24: P3,*K4,P4, repeat*, P1

Round 25 - 28: P2, *K4,P4, repeat *, P2

Round 29 - 32: P1,*K4,P4, repeat *, P3

Repeat the 32 rounds until sock measures 19 (20 - 21) inches or your desired total length (ie, longer for big feet.)

Toe:

Star Toe Pattern: Round 1: k6, k2tog. Repeat to end of round.

Round 2,3  Knit plain

Round 4 k5,k2tog, repeat

Round 5,6 Knit plain.

Repeat these rounds, knitting one stitch less between decreases every 4th round until 18 stitches remain. Weave (graft, Kitchener Stitch) remaining stitches together. Weave in all loose ends.