These ankle socks are inspired by the geometric design of leaves and are worked in a beautiful Fair Isle pattern. Knit from the top down with two colors of yarn that show off the ankle ribbing, heel, and toe, the heel is worked as a flap and gusset heel and the toe is grafted as a wedge toe. The end result is a beautiful Fair Isle design that gives a subtle nod to nature.
Time: Weekend Project
Skill Level: Easy
Size: 6 (7, 8, 9, 10)″ leg circumference × 9.75 (10, 10.25, 10.5, 10.75)” foot length
0.5″ negative ease recommended.
Shown in size 8”
Gauge: 32 sts and 40 rnds = 4” [10 cm] in St st after wet blocking
Materials
Yarn: Lang Yarns Jawoll Superwash (75% virgin wool 25% nylon; 230 yards [210 meters]/50 grams): 0226 Ecru Marl (MC, 1 (1, 1, 1, 1) balls), 0200 Sea Green (CC, 1 (1, 1, 1, 1) balls)
Hook/Needles: US size 1.5 (2.5 mm) double pointed
Notions: Markers, stitch holders, tapestry needle
Downloads
Pattern Notes
These ankle socks are worked from the top down and the heel is worked as a flap and gusset heel and the toe is grafted as a wedge toe.
Pattern
Cuff
With CC, CO 48 (56, 64, 72, 80) sts. Join to work in the rnd, being careful not to twist sts. Pm for beginning of rnd.
Rnd 1-5: *K1, p1; rep from * to end of rnd with CC.
Leg
Connect MC and work Leaves Chart until piece measures 1.5” from CO edge.
Heel Flap
The heel is worked in CC only on the first 24 (28, 32, 36, 40) sts. Cut MC.
Row 1 (RS): Sl1 wyib, k23 (27, 31, 35, 39), turn.
Row 2 (WS): Sl1 wyif, p23 (27, 31, 35, 39), turn.
Rep Rows 1-2, 11 (13, 15, 17, 19) more times.
Heel Turn
Row 1 (RS): K14 (16, 19, 21, 23), SSK, k1, turn.
Row 2 (WS): Sl1 wyif, P5 (5, 7, 7, 7), p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 3: Sl1 wyib, k to 1 st before gap, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 4: Sl1 wkif, p to 1 st before gap, p2tog, p1, turn.
Rep Rows 3-4, 2 (3, 4, 5, 6) more times. (16 (18, 20, 22, 26) sts at the end of these reps)
Sizes X-Small and Small only:
Row 5: Sl1 wyib, k to 1 st before gap, ssk, turn.
Row 6: Sl1 wyif, p to 1 st before gap, p2tog. (14 (16, –, –, –) sts at end of this row)
Gusset
Connect MC and with MC while carrying CC in the back, k14 (16, 20, 22, 24) heel sts, pick up and k12 (14, 16, 18, 20) sts along the edge of the heel flap, pm, pickup and maintain Leaves Chart for K24 (28, 32, 36, 40) sts (from dpn needles 3 & 4), pm, working with MC, pick up and k12 (14, 16, 18, 20) sts along the edge of the heel flap. (62 (72, 84, 94, 104) sts at end of this row)
Note: As you work the foot, carry the CC along the sole, trapping the floats every 2 sts.
Dec Rnd: K until 2 sts before marker, k2tog, sm, maintain Leaves Chart for 24 (28, 32, 36, 40) sts, sm, ssk, k to end of round.
Next rnd: K until marker, sm, maintain Leaves Chart for 24 (28, 32, 36, 40) sts, sm, k to end of round.
Rep prev 2 rnds 6 (7, 9, 10, 11) more times. (48 (56, 64, 72, 80) sts at end of these repeats)
Foot
Maintain Leaves Chart sts in fair isle chart and remaining sts in MC, knitting all rounds until 2” before desired foot length (approx. 3” which is equivalent to 30 rounds), ending final rnd at start of instep sts.
Cut MC.
Toe
The Toe is worked in CC. Move beginning of round marker to first marker beside Leaves Chart.
Rnd 1: K1, ssk, k to 3 sts before end of instep, k2tog, k2, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 4 sts dec.
Rnd 2: K all.
Rep Rnd 1-2 until 12 (12, 20, 28, 36) sts rem.
Finishing
Cut yarn, leaving a 12″ tail. Divide sts evenly across two needles, and with tail threaded on a yarn needle, use Kitchener stitch to graft toe closed. To block, wash the socks. Stretching on sock blockers is not required. Weave in ends once dry.
Leaves Chart Written Instructions
Rnd 1: *With MC k3, CC k1; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnd 2: *With CC k1, MC k5, CC k1, MC k1; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnd 3: *With MC k1, CC k1, MC k3, CC k1, MC k1, CC k1; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnd 4: *With CC k2, MC k3, CC k3; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnd 5: *With CC k2, MC k3, CC k3; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnd 6: *With CC k1, MC k5, CC k2; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnd 7: *With MC k3, CC k1; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnd 8: *With MC k2, CC k3, MC k3; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnd 9: *With MC k1, CC k2, MC k1, CC k2, MC k2; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnd 10: *With MC k1, CC k1, MC k1, CC k1, MC k1, CC k1, MC k2; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnd 11: *With MC k1, CC k5, MC k2; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnd 12: *With MC k1, CC k5, MC k2; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnd 13: *With MC k2, CC k3, MC k3; rep from * to end of rnd.
For knitting these socks for a man all you need to do is pick the size to knit based on the 6 (7, 8, 9, 10)″ leg circumference sizing.
If I wanted to make socks for a man, how many more stitches would I have to add?
Hello! I’ve reached out to the designer for advice and she or I will reply as soon as possible. Thanks! – Nicola, Editor
I love the p leaf socks. Great gifts. Knitting socks is a favorite knitting project.