VANILLA SOCKS

THE BLUE MOUSE

INTRO SIZING
This sock pattern is worked from the cuff Sizes 1 (2, 3)[4, 5, 6]
down using magic loop, and features a heel Foot Circumference: 7.5 (8, 8.5)[9, 9.5,
flap and gusset. 10] inches {19 (20.5, 21.5)[23, 24, 25.5]
cm}
MATERIALS I recommend choosing a size with
YARN - Worsted weight: 0.5-1" {1.5-2.5 cm} of negative ease
Yardage will vary based on size and (see notes on page 2 for explanation
length of foot, but the sample (size 2) of ease).
took approx. 150 yards {137 m} per Foot length is customizable.
pair.
Note: Worsted is sometimes called If you've never seen a sizing structure like this,
Medium #4 yarn in big box stores. I I'll explain: There are 6 sizes written in order
believe in the UK worsted is called from left to right. If you wanted size 2 it would
Aran, and in AUS it’s called 10 ply. be here: 1 (2, 3)[4, 5, 6] in the bolded text. And
in the pattern it will always be the 2nd slot in
Sample uses: I Love This Yarn (100% Acrylic - the instructions.
355 yards {325 m}/ 199g) in the colorway
'Glacier'. TUTORIALS
Beginner Cast On
NEEDLES Full Video Tutorial
US 5 {3.75 mm} 32″ (80 cm) Invisible Join in the Round Magic Loop
circumference (or longer). K2TOG Decrease
Or size needed to match gauge. Magic Loop Knitting
SL1KW wyib
OTHER MATERIALS SL1PW wyif
Yarn Needle, Stitch Markers. SL1PW wyib
SSK Decrease
GAUGE
Stockinette - Worked in the Round DIAGRAMS FOR SPECIAL
17 sts / 26 Rounds = 4″ {10 cm}. TECHNIQUES ON PAGE 6

1
ABBREVIATIONS NOTES
CO = Cast On What is negative ease?
K = Knit (K2 = Knit 2) Ease refers to how loose or tight a
K2TOG = Knit 2 stitches together (single knitted item will be. For socks you
decrease) want the knit fabric to stretch a bit
N1/N2 = Needle 1/Needle 2 to fit = needing negative ease.
SL1KW wyib = Slip 1 as if to Knit with the To start: Measure your foot
yarn held in back circumference, and subtract either 0.5
SL1PW wyif/wyib = Slip 1 as if to Purl {1.5 cm} or 1" {2.5 cm} from your actual
with the yarn held in front/back measurement. Pick a size close to that
SL2PW wyib = Slip 2 as if to Purl with the circumference.
yarn held in back For example: my foot circumference
sm = Slip Marker is 9" {23 cm} so I would subtract 1"
SSK = Slip, Slip, Knit (single decrease) {2.5 cm} from that 9"-1" = 8", so I
st(s) = stitch(es) would choose size 2 (8" circ.).
P = Purl (P2 = Purl 2)
PM = Place Marker
PU = Pick Up (stitches)

2
PATTERN BEGINS Row 3 (RS): SL2PW wyib, *K1, SL1PW
wyib; repeat from * to the last 2 sts: K2,
CUFF
turn.
CO 33 (35, 37)[39, 41, 43] sts and use the
Row 4 (WS): SL1PW wyif, Purl across.
invisible join in the round method,
Work rows 1-4 until your heel flap is
decreasing 1 stitch in the process. Place a
approx. as long as it is wide (end with a
removable marker in the fabric of N1 so
finished WS row).
you can tell them apart.
A good fitting heel flap is usually between
(32 (34, 36)[38, 40, 42] sts left)
1.5-2.5ʺ {4-6.5 cm} long depending on
your preference. The sample is approx 2ʺ
Distribute 16 (17, 18)[19, 20, 21] sts on
{5 cm} long.
each needle.
Note: Write down the number of rows you
work in the heel flap so the second sock will
Work in 1x1 rib for 0.5" {1.5 cm} or
be identical.
desired cuff length.

LEG HEEL TURN

You will now work short rows on N1 to turn
Work in stockinette until the leg of your
the heel. If you’ve never done short rows
sock measures the desired length. Sample
before, don’t worry, it’s surprisingly simple.
knits 16 rounds for a total of 2.5" {6.5 cm}
You can do it! All you're doing is working a
after the cuff.
section of each row instead of working all the
way across.
HEEL FLAP
Redistribute your stitches like this:
Row 1 (RS): SL1KW wyib, K8 (8, 9)[9, 10,
N1: 16 (16, 18)[18, 20, 20] sts.
10] sts, SSK, K1, turn.
N2: 16 (18, 18)[20, 20, 22] sts.
Row 2 (WS): SL1PW wyif, P3 sts, P2TOG,
To do this: with N1 facing you, slide your
P1, turn.
stitches down to the bend in your cord
Row 3 (RS): SL1PW wyib, Knit to 1 stitch
and slide any extra stitches over to N2.
before the gap, SSK, K1, turn.
Row 4 (WS): SL1PW wyif, Purl to 1 stitch
You will now be working back and forth
before the gap, P2TOG, P1, turn.
(flat) on N1 only to create the heel flap.
Repeat rows 3 & 4 until all stitches have
You can let the N2 stitches hang on the
been worked. On your last 2 rows you
cord.
won’t have room to work the K1/P1 after
the decrease, that is okay. Your decrease
Row 1 (RS): *SL1PW wyib, K1; repeat
will be at the edge. At the end you should
from * across.
be ready to start a RS row for the next
Row 2 (WS): SL1PW wyif, Purl across.
section and you should now have 8 (8, 10)
[10, 10, 10] sts on N1.

3
GUSSET Round 1 (decrease round):
You are no longer going to be working back and N1: Knit to the marker, sm, Knit to the last
forth, but in the round again. You have to pick 3 sts: K2TOG, K1.
up stitches along the sides of the heel flap to N2: Knit to the marker, sm, K1, SSK, Knit to
connect your current N1 stitches to your N2 the end.
stitches. Round 2 (plain):
Setup Round 1:
N1: Knit across (sm as you come to it)
N1: Knit across N1, then, PU & Knit 1 stitch
N2: Knit to marker, sm, Knit to the end.
for every slip stitch along the heel flap
Repeat rounds 1 & 2 until you have only
edge. Pick up 1 additional stitch to close
2 stitches at the end of N1 (separated by
the gap between your current needle and
the marker), and until you have only 4 (5,
N2.
4)[5, 5, 6] stitches at the end of N2
N2: Knit across N2, PU & Knit 1 stitch to
(separated by the marker). You should
close the gap between your current
have a total of 32 (34, 36)[38, 40, 42] sts.
needle and the heel flap edge (like you did
on the other side). Then, PU & Knit 1 stitch
Final gusset round:
for every slip stitch along the heel flap
N1: Knit to the marker, remove marker,
edge (this should be the same number
K2.
that you picked up on the other side).
(12 (12, 14)[14, 15, 15] sts currently on N1)
N2: Knit to the marker, remove the
Setup Round 2:
marker, slip the remaining 4 (5, 4)[5, 5, 6]
N1: K10 (10, 12)[12, 13, 13] sts, PM, Knit
stitches to N1.
across.
(16 (17, 18)[19, 20, 21] sts currently on N2)
N2: K16 (17, 18)[19, 20, 21], PM, Knit
across.
The distribution of stitches should now be:
N1: 16 (17, 18)[19, 20, 21] sts.
N2: 16 (17, 18)[19, 20, 21] sts.
Total: 32 (34, 36)[38, 40, 42] sts.

Needle 2

marker
Needle 2
Gusset sts
Needle 1
Gusset sts
marker

Needle 1

4
FOOT Decrease round 5.
Work in stockinette until the foot of your 6 (7, 8)[9, 10, 11] sts left on each needle.
sock measures 1.5 (1.5, 1.5)[1.75, 1.75, Size 1 skip to finishing.
1.75]" {4 (4, 4)[4.5, 4.5, 4.5] cm} from Decrease round 6
desired length. X (5, 6)[7, 8, 9] sts left on each needle.
Sizes 2 & 3 skip to finishing.
TOE DECREASES Decrease round 7
Decrease round 1: X (X, X)[5, 6, 7] sts left on each needle.
N1: K1, SSK, Knit to the last 3 sts: K2TOG,
K1. All remaining stitches move on to the
N2: K1, SSK, Knit to the last 3 sts: K2TOG, finishing section.
K1.
14 (15, 16)[17, 18, 19] sts left on each FINISHING
needle. Cut a tail around 12" {30.5 cm} long then
Work every decrease round the same as use the kitchener stitch to graft the
decrease round 1. remaining 12 (10, 12)[10, 12, 14] sts.
Work 2 plain rounds.
Decrease round 2. HOW TO WORK THE KITCHENER STITCH:
12 (13, 14)[15, 16, 17] sts left on each N1: Knit Off, Purl On
needle. N2: Purl Off, Knit On
Work 2 (2, 1)[1, 1, 1] plain round(s). Work that until you have only 1 stitch on
Decrease round 3. each needle. End with a Knit Off (N1), Purl
10 (11, 12)[13, 14, 15] sts left on each Off (N2).
needle. Note: 'Off' means you thread the yarn
Work 1 plain round(s). through the stitch and slide the stitch off
Decrease round 4. the needle. 'On' means you thread the
8 (9, 10)[11, 12, 13] sts left on each yarn through the stitch and keep it on
needle. your needle.
Work X (X, 1)[1, 1, 1] plain round(s).
Note: An 'X' next to your size means you skip Repeat all these steps for a second sock.
that round. Weave in your ends and enjoy :)

Care Tips:
I suggest washing your socks by
soaking them in water (and wool wash
if you want), push out the excess
water in a towel and lay flat to dry.

5
Heel Flap
N2 stitches put on hold to work the heel
flat only on N1.
Heel Turn
Short row shaping creates the heel. Instead
of working across the full row, you work
across only part of it.
Gusset
Setup Row 1 N1: Knit across N1 and then
pick up stitches along one edge of the heel
flap to add stitches to N1.
Gusset
Setup Row 1 N2: Knit across N2 and then
pick up stitches along the other edge of the
heel flap to add stitches to N2.
Foot
After the gusset decreases are done your
sock will start to take shape. Your stitches
should be evenly distributed on each
needle.
Toe
Shaped decreases are worked on each end
of each needle until the toe is shaped.
Then a kitchener stitch seam is worked to
graft the two edges together and close the
toe.