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I’m excited to share with you a delightful project that combines comfort, style, and the joy of crafting: the Ethan Ankle Socks. This free knitting pattern is perfect for anyone looking to create a cozy pair of socks, whether you’re a seasoned knitter or just beginning your knitting journey.
Why Choose the Ethan Ankle Socks?
The Ethan Ankle Socks are designed with both aesthetics and comfort in mind. These socks, knit in a soft fingering weight sock yarn, are ideal for the warmer months when you want something light yet snug on your feet. The fingering weight yarn ensures that the socks are breathable and perfect for daily wear. Plus, the name “Ethan” means strong, firm, and safe, qualities that these socks embody through their durable and cozy design.
Materials and Yarn Selection
For this project, you’ll need a soft fingering weight sock yarn. This type of yarn is known for its fine texture, making it ideal for creating delicate and comfortable socks. Opt for a yarn that has a blend of wool and nylon for durability and a bit of stretch. The softness of the wool combined with the strength of nylon makes these socks both comfortable and long-lasting. I used KnitPicks Stroll because it embodies all of these qualities which you can purchase here.
Reinforced Comfort
One of the standout features of the Ethan Ankle Socks is the reinforcement in key areas. The back and bottom of the heel, as well as the ball of the foot, are reinforced to provide extra durability and support. This thoughtful detail ensures that your socks will withstand regular wear and remain comfortable and supportive over time.
Why Fingering Weight Yarn?
Fingering weight yarn is a popular choice for sock knitting for several reasons. Its fine texture allows for detailed stitch patterns, giving you the opportunity to add intricate designs to your socks. Additionally, it’s lightweight, making it ideal for socks that you can wear comfortably with shoes or slippers.
The Joy of Knitting Socks
Knitting socks can be a wonderfully satisfying project. It’s a portable project, perfect for taking on the go. Whether you’re knitting in a cozy corner at home or while commuting, the Ethan Ankle Socks are a manageable size that you can easily carry with you. Plus, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of slipping on a pair of hand-knit socks that you made yourself.
Perfect for Gifting
Hand-knit socks make a thoughtful and personal gift. The Ethan Ankle Socks, with their stylish design and comfortable fit, are sure to be appreciated by anyone lucky enough to receive them. Consider knitting a few pairs in different colors to have on hand for birthdays, holidays, or just because!
Join the Knitting Community
One of the best parts of knitting is the community that comes with it. Share your progress and finished Ethan Ankle Socks on social media, and connect with fellow knitters. You’ll find a wealth of inspiration, support, and camaraderie. Use hashtags like #EthanAnkleSocks and #SockKnitting to join the conversation and see what others are creating.
Conclusion
The Ethan Ankle Socks are a fantastic project that brings together the best of knitting: creativity, practicality, and the joy of making something with your own hands. Whether you’re knitting them for yourself or as a gift, these socks are sure to become a favorite. With a name that means strong, firm, and safe, the Ethan Ankle Socks offer not only style and comfort but also a sense of durability and security. The reinforced heel and ball of the foot provide added support where it’s needed most, ensuring these socks are built to last. So grab your needles and yarn, and get ready to enjoy the process of knitting these beautiful and comfortable socks.
Happy knitting!
Materials and Info
Materials:
Yarn: 1 (1, 1) 2, 2 (2, 2) skeins of Knitpicks Stroll (50g/231yd)
Needles: US #1 / 2.25mm DPNs (or circular for magic loop)
Notions: stitch markers, needle
Gauge: 8sts x 11rows per inch
sizing:
baby (toddler, child,) lg child, adult S, (M, L)
Finished measurements (unstretched):
Foot Length (adjustable): 4 (6, 7.25), 8, 9, (10, 11.25)”
Ethan Ankle Socks are a simple ankle sock with reinforced back and bottom of heel and a reinforced ball of the foot to add cushion for comfort but also make the places where socks where most, stronger.
Abbreviations
k – knit
P – purl
sm – slip maker
pm – place marker
bor – beginning of round
st – stich
sts – stitches
k2tog -knit 2 stitches together
ssk – slip next st knitwise, slip next st knitwise, place stitches back onto left needle, knit both slipped sts together
w&t – wrap the yarn around the next stitch, turn work
Ethan Ankle Socks Pattern
Cuff
Cast on 40 (44, 52) 56, 60, (64, 72) sts, join for working in the round.
Separate stitches on your dpn as follows:
1st needle 20 (22, 26) 28, 30 (32, 36) sts
2nd and 3rd needle 10 (11, 13) 14, 15 (16, 18) sts each needle
Work in Stockinette for 4 (5, 5) 5, 5, (5, 6) rounds.
Short rows:
Row 1 – Work across 1st needle to 1 st remaining on needle, W&T.
Row 2 – Work across to 1 st remaining on the needle, W&T.
Row 3 – Work across to 1 st before last wrap, W&T.
Row 4 – Work across to 1 st before last wrap, W&T.
Repeat rounds 3 & 4: 1 (1, 2) 2, 2 (2, 3) times.
Next round: Work across cuff in stockinette, picking up wraps and working them together with the sts they wrap as you complete this round.
Work in 1×1 rib (k1, p1) for 4 (5, 5) 5, 5, (5, 6) rounds.
Next Round: Fold the cast on edge into the sock, lining up the cast on edge with the current working sts. *Pick up the cast on stitch directly above the current stitch, k2tog, rep from * to the end of the rnd, the stitch count will not change.
Heel Flap
Next round: You will work the heel flap on the next 20 (22, 26), 28, 30, (32, 36), sts. Place the remaining 20 (22, 26), 28, 30, (32, 36), sts on hold.
Row 1 (RS): (sl1, k1) across, turn work.
Row 2 (WS): sl1, purl to end, turn work.
Repeat rows 1-2 a total of 8 (10, 12), 13, 14, (16, 18) times.
This is a total of 16 (20, 24), 26, 28, (32, 36) rows.
Heel Turn
Row 1 (RS): sl1, keeping in pattern work 12 (12, 14), 15, 16, (18, 20), ssk, k1, turn work.
Row 2 (WS): sl1, p7 (5, 5) 5, 5, (7, 7), p2tog, p1, turn work.
Row 3: sl1, work in pattern to 1 st before the gap, ssk, k1, turn work.
Row 4: sl1, purl to 1 st before the gap, p2tog, p1, turn work.
Repeat rows 3-4 until all stitches have been worked: 14 (14, 16), 16, 18, (20, 22) sts remain.
Work across these heel stitches in pattern, pm.
Gusset
Pick up and knit 9 (11, 13), 14, 15, (17, 19) sts along the edge of heel flap, pm
Knit 20 (22, 26), 28, 30, (32, 36), pm
Pick up and knit 9 (11, 13), 14, 15, (17, 19) sts along heel flap, pm
k7 (7, 8) 8, 9, (10, 11) sts, mark the new BOR (located at the bottom of the foot).
[52 (58, 68) 72, 78, (86, 96) sts]
Round 1: work in sl1, k1 pattern marker, knit across to https://shrsl.com/3usf5 he 3rd marker, work in sl1, k1 pattern
Round 2: work in sl1, k1 pattern to marker, sm, knit to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, k1, sm, knit to next marker, sm, k1, ssk, knit to end, sm, work in s1, k1 pattern to bor marker [2 sts dec]
Work rounds 1-2 a total of 6 (7, 8) 8, 9, (11, 12) times. [40 (44, 52) 56, 60, (64, 72) sts]
Foot
Shift beginning of round (BOR) remove marker as follows: remove marker, k10 (11, 13) 14, 15, (16, 18), place marker – this is the new BOR, located at the side of the foot.
Continue working in the round, the piece measures 2 (3.5, 4.5) 5, 5, (6, 7)” from back of heel, or 2 (2.5, 3) 2.25, 4, (4, 4.25)” short of desired foot length.
Work across top of foot stitches, pm, work in s1, k1 pattern for 1 (1.5, 1.5) 1.5, 2 (2, 2) ins on bottom of foot.
Toe
Round 1: k1, ssk, knit to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, k2, ssk, knit to 3 sts before end of round, k2tog, k1 [4 sts dec]
Round 2: knit
Work rounds 1-2 a total of 5 (6, 7) 8, 9, (9, 10) times. until 16 (16, 20) 20, 20, (24, 24) sts remain.
Cut yarn leaving a 12” tail, then graft toe using Kitchener stitch.
Weave in all ends
Kitchener stitch:
Place half the stitches on one needle, half the stitches on the other needle, (top and bottom NOT side to side)
Cut yarn (leaving a long yarn tail) and thread through a blunt needle.
Set-up steps: Insert needle purlwise (back to front) through the first st on front needle, leaving the st on the needle. Then insert needle knitwise (front to back) through the first st on the back needle, leaving the st on the needle.
Step 1: Insert needle knitwise through first st on front needle, then slip this st off the needle.
Step 2: Insert needle purlwise through the second st on front needle, leaving the st on the needle.
Step 3: Insert needle purlwise through first st on back needle, then drop this stitch off the needle.
Step 4: Insert needle knitwise through second st on back needle, leaving the st on the needle.
From this point to the end, repeat steps 1-4.
Kitchener stitch can be intimidating, but you get into a rhythm:
Front needle: knitwise drop off, purlwise leave on,
Back needle: purlwise drop off, knitwise leave on,
Repeat
At the end of the row, there is only 1 stitch left on each needle.
Work steps 1 and 3 once more.
Ethan Ankle Socks PDF
