This basic pattern is for a flat sock in fingering weight yarn and employs the gusset heel and basic toe instructions. You can substitute a short-row heel for the gusset heel.
Size: Child M (Child L/W Sm, W Med, W Lrg/M Sm, M Med, M Lrg)
Materials: 200 (250, 300, 350, 400, 450) yd. of fingering weight yarn
US 1 (2.25mm) straight or circular needles, or size to obtain gauge
Gauge: 8 sts and 10 rounds = 4 inches square in St st
Flat 1 x 1 Ribbing:
Row 1: * K1, p1 *, rep from * to * to end of row.
Row 2: * K1, p1 *, rep from * to * to end of row.
Rep rows 1 and 2 for patt.
Flat Stockinette Stitch:
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2: Purl.
Rep rows 1 and 2 for patt.
Cast on 56 (60, 64, 68, 72, 76) sts using the desired cast-on method.
Work 1 x 1 ribbing until piece measures 1 inch from beg.
Continue even in St st until piece measures 5.5 (6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8) inches from beg or desired length to top of heel.
Work the instep over the center 28 (30, 32, 34, 36, 38) sts.
Next row (RS): K 42 (45, 48, 51, 54, 57) sts. Place last 14 (15, 16, 17, 18, 19) sts on a holder or piece of scrap yarn. Turn.
Next row (WS): P 28 (30, 32, 34, 36, 38) sts. Place last 14 (15, 16, 17, 18, 19) sts on a holder or piece of scrap yarn. Turn.
Work even on these 28 (30, 32, 34, 36, 38) sts in St st until the instep measures 5.5 (6.5, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9) inches from the heel split, or 2 inches less than the desired foot length.
Work the upper toe.
Row 1 (RS): K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Row 2 (WS): Purl.
Rep rows 1 and 2 until 14 (15, 16, 17, 18, 19) sts rem.
Row 3 (RS): K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Row 4 (WS): P1, p2tog, p to last 3 sts, p2tog tbl, p1.
Rep rows 3 and 4 until 6 (6, 8, 8, 10, 10) sts rem.
Place these sts on a holder or piece of scrap yarn.
Work the gusset heel over 28 (30, 32, 34, 36, 38) sts.
Place 14 (15, 16, 17, 18, 19) sts from each side of instep onto one needle, with split at center. Join yarn with right side facing.
Row 1 (RS): * K1, sl 1 *, rep from * to * across.
Row 2 (WS): Sl 1, p across.
Rep rows 1 and 2 until you work 28 (30, 32, 34, 36, 38) rows in total.
Turn the Heel
Row 1: K 16 (17, 18, 19, 20, 21) sts, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 2: Sl 1, p5, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 3: Sl 1, k to 1 st before gap, ssk (1 st from each side of gap), k1, turn.
Row 4: Sl 1, p to 1 st before gap, p2tog (1 st from each side of gap), p1, turn.
Rep rows 3 and 4 until you work all heel sts, ending if necessary on the last rep with k2tog and p2tog.
16 (18, 18, 20, 20, 22) sts rem. Break yarn, leaving sts on needle.
Make the gusset.
With right side facing, rejoin yarn at top of heel flap.
Next row (RS): Pick up and k 14 (15, 16, 17, 18, 19) sts along side of heel flap, k 16 (18, 18, 20, 20, 22) sts, pick up and knit 14 (15, 16, 17, 18, 19) sts along other side of heel flap.
Next row (WS): Purl.
Make the decrease for the gusset.
Row 1 (RS): K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Row 2 (WS): Purl.
Rep rows 1 and 2 until 28 (30, 32, 34, 36, 38) sts rem.
Work even on these sts until piece measures 5.5 (6.5, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9) inches from the back of the heel, or 2 inches less than desired total foot length.
Make the lower toe.
Row 1 (RS): K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Row 2 (WS): Purl.
Rep rows 1 and 2 until 14 (15, 16, 17, 18, 19) sts rem.
Row 3 (RS): K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Row 4 (WS): P1, p2tog, p to last 3 sts, p2tog tbl, p1.
Rep rows 3 and 4 until 6 (6, 8, 8, 10, 10) sts rem.
Place these sts on a holder or piece of scrap yarn.
With yarn threaded on darning needle, sew center back leg seam. Sew foot side seams.
Graft or gather toe.
Weave in ends and block.
You can flatten the seams inside your flat sock to make them more comfortable. Turn the sock inside-out and cover with a damp cloth, then lightly press the seams with a warm iron.
Make washable paint stamp cleanly: stir first, load stamps lightly, and compare compatible thick paint or paint-specific mediums without risking the whole bottle.
Learn why air-dry clay cracks as it dries, how to patch small cracks with water or fresh clay, and how to dry repairs evenly to reduce repeat damage.
Get clean felt edges with the right scissors, a steady pattern, and smooth cutting strokes. Learn when a rotary cutter or utility knife makes more sense.
Learn a gentle, surface-aware way to remove cooled hot glue strings from crafts, with practical steps for wood, paper, fabric, plastic, and more.
Help kids paint cardboard without warping it. Learn which paint to use, how much to apply, how to dry each coat, and what mistakes to avoid.
Photograph small crafts with soft window light, a simple white reflector, and precise focus. Learn how to reduce blur, harsh shadows, and color shifts.
Homemade stickers peel when adhesive, surface, and conditions do not match. Learn how to prep surfaces, apply stickers smoothly, choose materials, and store sheets.
Compare metallic paper, markers, paint, foil accents, and ribbon for a glitter-free sparkle effect. Choose by surface, shine, cleanup, and who will use the craft.
Build a longer-lasting cardboard hinge with rigid panels, a measured gap, and a flexible cloth bridge. Learn how to assemble, test, and troubleshoot it.
For a simple design on light fabric, tracing with a removable fabric marker is usually the easiest transfer method. Learn the steps, alternatives, and mistakes to avoid.
