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How to knit socks on two needles

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Yarn - Bernat Cotton-ish (cotton ball) / light 3/ 2.4 oz (70 g) / 282 yards (258 m) / less than 1 ball needed
Knitting Needles - Double pointed US 3 (3.25 mm) 7 in (17.78 cm)
Gauge - About 17 k sts go into 4 inches (10 cm)
Socks Size - US 8
Complexity - Advanced Beginner

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Women’s socks knitting pattern - braids stitch
Step-by-step knitting instructions
Step 1
Cast on 24 sts on two double pointed needles to make the first loops bigger.
Step 2
Ribbing
1st row (right side) – sl.st.1, [p2, k2] to last 3 sts; p2, k1
2nd row (wrong side) – sl.st.1, [k2, p2] to last 3sts; k2, p1
Alternate the 1st and 2nd rows until you have 15 rows in total or knit the desired length of the ribbing.
Step 3
Braids pattern
16th row (wrong side) – sl.st.1, k2, p9, pick up 1 st., p9, k2, p1
17th row – sl.st.1, p2, k4, k2tog-R, k3, pick 1 st, p1, pick 1 st, k3, k2tog-L, K4, p2, k1
18th row – sl.st.1, k2, p9, k1, p9, k2, p1
19th row – sl.st.1, p2, k3, k2tog-R, k3, pick 1 st, k1, p1, k1, pick 1 st, k3, k2tog-L, k3, p2, k1
20, 22, 24 rows = 18th row
21st row – sl.st.1, p2, k2, k2tog-R, k3, pick 1 st, k2, p1, k2, pick 1 st, k3, k2tog-L, k2, p2, k1
23rd row – sl.st.1, p2, k1, k2tog-R, k3, pick 1 st, k3, p1, k3, pick 1 st, k3, k2tog-L, k1, p2, k1
25th row – sl.st.1, p2, k2tog-R, k3, pick 1 st, k3, k2tog-L, k4, pick 1 st, k3, k2tog-L, p2, k1
26th row = 16th row
Repeat the pattern starting from the 16th row until you knit to end of your pinky toe.
Step 4
Decrease every other row
66th row (wrong side) – sl.st.1, k2, p to last 3 sts; k2, p1
67th row – sl.st1, k2tog-L, k to last 3 sts; k2tog-R, k1
68th row – sl.st.1, p to end
Alternate the 67th and 68th rows until you have 12 sts on your knitting needle.
Step 5
Decrease every row
78th row (wrong side) – sl.st.1, p2tog, p to last 3 sts; p2tog, p1
79th row = 67th row
Alternate the two above rows until you have 4 sts left.
Step 6
Bottom part
Increase two stitches every row
82nd row (wrong side) – sl.st.1, inc1, p to last 1 st; inc1, p1
83rd row – sl.st.1, inc1, k to last 1 st; inc1, k1
Alternate 82nd and 83rd row until you have 12 sts on your needle
Increase 2 sts every other row
86th row (wrong side) = 68th row
87th row = 83rd row
Alternate the 86th and 87th rows until you have 24 sts in total.
Step 7
Knit the back part to beginning of your heel
99th row (right side) – sl.st.1, k to end
100th row = 68th row
Step 8
Heel
Decrease 2 sts from both sides every other row until you have 8 sts left.
Then increase 2 sts every other row until you have gain 24 sts.
Step 9
Alternate 99th and 100th rows until you knit 6 rows or as many as necessary depending on your top part of a sock, and then work the ribbing for the same number of rows as in step 2.
Step 10
Cast off all the stitches.
Join sides starting from the heel. You may sew it or use a crochet hook.

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Abbreviations
inc – increase – insert a right needle into the base stitch of the previous row (you may place it to the left needle), grab the yarn, and pull it through to have one extra stitch on the working needle. That way you increase one stitch without developing a hole.
k – knit
k2tog-L – knit two stitches together to the left side – insert a right needle into 2 sts, grab the yarn, and pull it through.
k2tog-R – knit two sts together to the right side – insert a right needle into the2nd st then into the the 1st stitch, grab the yarn, and draw it through
p – purl
pick 1 st – pick one stitch up – insert a needle under a yarn between two stitches of the previous row, grab the yarn, and pull it through. You should increase one stitch and develop a hole under it.
sl.st. – slip stitch
st – stitch

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How to knit socks on two needles - braids stitch

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Comments

Thanks for sharing. These

Thanks for sharing. These socks look so sweet, I think I'll make a pair for myself - once I finish my Christmas knitting that is.

Hi Loveknit120,

Hi Loveknit120,
To adjust the pattern to a different size, it is necessary to make a small sample of the pattern (step 3) first to learn your gauge. Then estimate whether this piece will be wide enough to your half of the foot circumference (widest part). If not, add one or more knit sts on each side of the sample to widen the garment. For example, 16th row - sl.st.1, k3, p9, pick up 1 st., p9, k3, p1. Then repeat the braids pattern until you knit to end of your pinky toe (just continue the pattern exactly). Happy knitting!

Hi lyancy,

Hi lyancy,
To adjust the pattern, it is necessary to learn your gauge first. Then measure your foot circumference (widest part), divide the number by 2, and estimate the number of sts to cast on. If you think that the 24 sts will not be enough in your case, you may add any even number of sts. For example, if you add 2 sts to the row 16, you'll work k3 instead of k2 (R16 – sl.st.1, k3, p9, pick up 1 st., p9, k3, p1) and p3 instead of p2 on the right side of the garment accordingly. Work the braids pattern to your pinky toe, then begin to decrease sts. Happy knitting!

Hi Lola,

Hi Lola,
I'm glad that you liked the pattern. Happy knitting!

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