Keeping Our Toes Cozy

As I put my knitting needles down after finishing my third pair of slipper/socks this season I felt extremely grateful for being able to knit things for my family to keep them warm this winter. It's a little thing but it blesses them in a tangible way and in turn blesses me. It fills me with joy to feel like I am able to clothe and care for my loved ones.

I've been making these slipper-socks for myself for years using a simple sock pattern formula. It can be adapted to use any size needles or yarn and sized up or down to fit tiny baby feet or big man feet. It's a very versatile pattern. It does require a bit of swatching though to ensure that you get a good fit with the yarn, needles, and sock size. I'm hesitant to share this pattern formula though as it might be a bit confusing. If you find yourself lost drop me a line and I'd be happy to help!

------------

Slipper-Socks Knitting Pattern Formula
Note: This method of socks requires knitting in the round with multiple needles. There is NO seaming (which is why it's my favorite go-to pattern).

-GETTING STARTED: To begin, I cast on the amount of stitches required to make an ankle cuff. This is where swatching is important. This number will change depending on the sock-size, yarn, and needles.

For the big socks above I used a chunky handspun yarn and big needles, so I only needed to cast on 36. I've made proper socks using this pattern for a small women's sock and cast on 56. So it just depends. Swatch! Swatch! Swatch! Once the ankle cuff is fitted the rest of the sock generally fits like magic.

-THE CUFF: Knit in 2x2 or 1x1 ribbing until the desired length of the cuff is reached. I like a medium-length cuff.

-THE HEEL: To work the heel I always do a short-row heel as it's easy to memorize and there is no seaming. I simply work the heel on HALF the number of total stitches.

-THE FOOT: After the heel is turned continue knitting the heel (now the bottom of the sock) in stockinette stitching and the top of sock in ribbing until the required length of the foot (minus the toes! We're getting to that!)

-THE TOE:
Note: Requires a set of 4 needles. The stitches are divided with half of them on needle #2 and one quarter each on needles #1 and #3. The division between needles #1 and #3 is centered at the back of the heel or under the foot, decreasing at the end of needle #1, the beginning and end of needle #2, and beginning of needle #3. (phew. Are you with me? Once the stitches are divided properly it's much easier than it sounds!)

Round 1: Knit to 3 sts from the end of needle #1, K2tog, K1. K1, SSK at the beginning of needle #2, knit to 3 sts away from end of needle #2, K2tog, K1. K1, SSK at the beginning of needle #3, knit to end of round.
Round 2: Knit plain.

Repeat these two rounds until you have reduced the number of stitches on each needle by half. Continue to work decrease round only until 6-8 stitches remain. Graft the toe together using a kitchener stitch or draw the stitches together.

------------

OKAY. So not as much a proper pattern than it is a formula. The trick here is that this formula is very versatile and not to fuss too much over the technicality of it. ;)

xo