Crochet Kiddie Socks

Skill level: Easy

Size: Sample sock measures approx. 4" from top of cuff to heel and 4-1/2" from heel to toe (size can be changed by using thinner or thicker yarn and smaller or larger hook)

Materials:

1 ball Cascade Fixation (or similar cotton/elastic yarn) in main color, few yards contrast color for trim (optional)

Size E/4 (3.5 mm) hook, or size needed to achieve gauge

Tapestry needle

Gauge: With size E/4 (3.5 mm) hook, 5 sc = 1"

Terms/Abbreviations: beginning (beg), chain (ch), decrease (dec), double crochet (dc), each (ea), hook (hk), increase (inc), repeat (rep), round (rnd), single crochet (sc), single crochet two together (sc2tog), slip stitch (sl st), stitch (st), together (tog)

SOCK (make 2)

Ch 24 LOOSELY, join into ring with sl st.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in same ch as joining, sc in ea ch around, join with sl st (24 sc).

Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in same sc, sc in ea sc around, join with sl st (24 sc).

Rep Rnd 2 for 8 more rounds, or as many rounds as necessary to desired length of cuff to top of heel opening.

Heel opening: Ch 1, sc in same sc, sc in next sc, ch 12 LOOSELY, skip 12 sc, sc in next sc, sc in remaining 9 sc, join with sl st (12 sc, 12 ch).

Next round: Ch 1, sc in same sc, sc in next sc, sc in ea of next 12 ch, sc in next 10 sc, join with sl st (24 sc).

Next round: Ch 1, sc in same sc, sc in ea sc around, join with sl st (24 sc).

Rep last round for 6 more rounds, or until length of foot reaches 1" less than desired finished length.

Begin toe decreases: Ch 1, sc in same sc, sc in next 2 sc, sc next 2 sc tog,

*sc in next 3 sc, sc next 2 sc tog, rep from * around to last 4 sc, sc in next 2 sc, sc last 2 sc tog, join with sl st (19 sc).

Work 1 round even (19 sc).

Next dec rnd: Ch 1, sc in same sc, sc in next sc, sc next 2 sc tog, *sc in next 2 sc, sc next 2 sc tog, rep from * around to last 3 sc, sc in next sc, sc last 2 sc tog, join with sl st (14 sc).

Work 1 round even (14 sc).

Next dec rnd: Ch 1, sc next 2 sc tog around, join with sl st (7 sc).

Work 1 round even (7 sc).

Cut yarn, thread end into tapestry needle, gather rem sts tog to close toe.

Heel: Turn sock upside down so center back of lower edge of cuff at heel opening is facing you. Join yarn in center st of heel opening (on cuff side). Work 28 sc evenly around opening, working 1 sc in ea sc and ch, plus an extra sc at each inner corner of heel opening, join with sl st (28 sc).

Mark extra side stitch at each side of heel opening with removable markers (hairpin or safety pin) so that there are 13 sts between each marker. As you work the following rounds, keep markers in same location on sides of heel, but move them up each round as you work.

Dec rnd: Ch 1, sc in same sc, sc to 2 sts before marker, sc next 2 sc tog, sc in marked st (remove & replace marker up to current round), sc next 2 sc tog, sc to 2 sts before next marker, sc next 2 sc tog, sc in marked st (remove & replace marker up to current round), sc next 2 sc tog, sc to end of round, join with sl st (24 sc).

Work 1 round even (24 sc).

Next dec rnd: Ch 1, sc in same sc, sc to 2 sts before next marker, sc next 2 sc tog, sc in marked st, sc next 2 sc tog, sc to 2 sts before next marker, sc next 2 sc tog, sc in marked st, sc next 2 sc tog, sc to end of round, join with sl st (20 sc).

Rep last dec rnd 3 times (16, 12, 8).

Cut yarn, thread into tapestry needle, gather sts to close toe, weave in ends.

Optional Trim

Sock can be worn as is with cuff pulled up, or top of cuff can be turned down for rolled cuff, or decorative trim can be added as follows:

Plain trim: With contrast color, join yarn at center back of cuff edge (you will be working on the opposite side of beginning ch round), ch 1, sc LOOSELY in ea sc around, join with sl st (24 sc). Work one or more rounds single crochet, fasten off and weave in ends.

For ruffled trim:

Row 1: With contrast color, join yarn at center back of cuff edge (you will be working on the opposite side of beginning ch round), ch 1, sc LOOSELY in ea ch around, join with sl st (24 sc).

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in same sc, *ch 3, sc in next sc, rep from * around, join with sl st, fasten off and weave in ends.