Looking for a Free Lace Sock Pattern that is pretty enough to feel special but practical enough for everyday wear?
The Wheat Socks are a beautiful addition to my collection of free sock knitting patterns, featuring a delicate wheat-inspired lace motif running down the side of the top of the foot for just the right amount of detail without overwhelming the design. This pattern is worked top down with a classic heel flap construction and includes sizing from baby through large adult, so you can knit matching pairs for the whole family. If you’ve been hunting for a lace sock that looks polished but still feels approachable to knit, this Free Lace Sock Pattern may be exactly what you need.
The Wheat Socks are one of those patterns that strike a nice balance between simple and detailed. The stockinette body keeps the knitting relaxing, while the lace panel adds enough interest to keep things from feeling repetitive. They’re polished enough for gift knitting, but still practical enough to become an everyday pair in your sock drawer.
Because the lace motif sits only along one side of the foot, this design gives you the beauty of lace without requiring you to manage complex stitch patterns around the entire sock. It’s a great option for knitters who want to branch into lace socks without diving into something overly complicated.
What Materials Do You Need for This Free Lace Sock Pattern?
For this Free Lace Sock Pattern, I used KnitPicks Stroll, which is one of my favorite sock yarns for soft, durable everyday socks. It has enough nylon for strength while still feeling comfortable against the skin, making it ideal for socks that actually get worn instead of tucked away in a drawer. You’ll also need 2.25mm double pointed needles to achieve the proper gauge and crisp stitch definition that helps the lace motif shine.
A tapestry needle will be helpful for weaving in ends neatly, and I always recommend having stitch markers nearby if you like marking lace repeats or heel sections while knitting.
One thing I especially like about using Stroll for lace socks is that it blocks beautifully. The lace opens up nicely after washing, which helps the wheat motif stand out even more. If you want your finished socks to really show off the stitch pattern, don’t skip blocking.
How Is This Free Lace Sock Pattern Constructed?
This Free Lace Sock Pattern is worked from the top down with a traditional heel flap and gusset, making it a familiar construction for knitters who already enjoy classic sock knitting. The wheat lace motif runs down the side of the top of the foot, creating visual interest while keeping the sole simple and comfortable inside shoes.
Because the lace is isolated to one section of the sock, the pattern is easier to memorize than an all-over lace design. Once you establish the repeat, it becomes a relaxing rhythm that keeps the project interesting without slowing you down too much.
The heel flap construction also makes this pattern especially nice for knitters who prefer the fit and structure of traditional socks. Combined with the stretchy lace panel, the finished fit is comfortable and flattering across a wide range of foot sizes.
Looking for More Free Lace Sock Knitting Patterns?
If you love this Free Lace Sock Pattern, here are a few more lace and textured sock patterns you may enjoy:
These patterns each bring their own unique style to the table, whether you prefer bold lace panels, delicate ankle socks, or more all-over texture. If you enjoy knitting socks with decorative details, they’re all worth adding to your queue.
Lace socks are one of my favorite ways to make a practical project feel a little more special. They’re still functional, still wearable, but they have that extra touch that makes the knitting process more fun and the finished pair more satisfying.
Wheat Socks Pattern
Materials:
Yarn: 120 (180, 240), 300, 320, (380, 480) yards fingering / sock weight yarn Needles: US #1 / 2.5mm 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):
Cuff (around): 5 (5.5, 6.5) 7, 7.5, (8, 9)”
Leg Length (adjustable): 2.5 (3.5, 4) 4.5, 5, (6, 7)”
Foot Length (adjustable): 4 (6, 7.25), 8, 9, (10, 11.25)”
Method:
Wheat socks are a top-down, heel flap sock with the same lace motif as Wheat Cardigan. These socks make a beautiful mommy and me set since they come in baby through adult sizes.
WHEAT LACE PATTERN
Row 1 – knit across
Row 2 – k4, k2tog, k3, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1
Row 3 – knit across
Row 4 – k3, k2tog, k4, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1
Row 5 – knit across
Row 6 – k2, k2tog, k5, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1
Row 7 – knit across
Row 8 – k1, k2tog, k6, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1
Row 9 – knit across
Row 10 – k1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k3, ssk, k4
Row 11 – knit across
Row 12 – k1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k4, ssk, k3
Row 13 – knit across
Row 14 – k1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k5, ssk, k2
Row 15 – knit across
Row 16 – k1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k6, ssk, k1
Cuff
Cast on 40 (44, 52) 56, 60, (64, 72) sts, join for working in the round. Place beginning of round marker.
Work in 1×1 rib (k1, p1) for 8 (8, 10) 10, 12, (12, 14) rounds.
Set-up round
(right foot) –knit 0 (0, 0) 0, 1 (1, 1), pm, k13, pm, knit to end of round. (left foot) – knit 7 (9, 13) 15, 16 (18, 22), pm, k13, pm, knit to end of round.
Row 1 -knit to marker, sm, work lace chart (for the left foot start on round 1, for the right foot start on round of the stitch chart), sm, knit to end of round. Work in pattern until piece measures 2.5 (3.5, 4) 4.5, 5, (6, 7)ins or 6 (9, 10) 11, 12.5 (15, 17.5) cms from cast on.
Heel Flap
Next round: work 20 (22, 26), 28, 30, (32, 36) in pattern, then place these sts on hold. You will work the heel flap on the next k20 (22, 26), 28, 30, (32, 36), sts.
Row 1 (RS): sl1, knit to end, turn work
Row 2 (WS): sl1, purl to end, turn work
Repeat rows 1-2 a total of 8 (10, 12), 13, 14, (15, 17) times.
This is a total of 16 (20, 24), 26, 28, (32, 36) rows.
Heel Turn
Row 1 (RS): sl1, k12 (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, knit 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.
Knit across these heel stitches slipping the first st.
Gusset
Pick up and knit 9 (11, 13), 14, 15, (16, 18) sts along the edge of heel flap, PM, continue working in pattern 20 (22, 26), 28, 30, (32, 36), PM, pick up and knit 9 (11, 13), 14, 15, (16, 18) sts along heel flap, k7 (7, 8) 8, 9, (10, 11) sts, mark the new BOR (located at the bottom of the foot). [52 (58, 68) 72, 78, (84, 94) sts]
Round 1: work around, keeping lace in pattern
Round 2: knit to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, k1, sm, work 20 (22, 26), 28, 30, (32, 36) keeping lace in pattern, sm, k1, ssk, knit to end [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.
Keep the lace stitch markers in place.
Continue working in the round, keeping the lace in pattern, until the piece measures 3 (5, 6) 6.5, 7, (8, 9)” from back of heel, or 1 (1, 1.5) 1.75, 2, (2, 2.25)” short of desired foot length.
Toe
The lace pattern ends here so you will remove your lace stitch markers and will switch to stockinette stitch.
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 6 (7, 8) 9, 10 (10, 12) 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.
| ABBREVIATIONS k – knit P – purl sm – slip maker pm – place marker 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 |
Ready to cast on your own pair of Wheat Socks? Grab the printable PDF below and save it to your knitting library so you can keep this Free Lace Sock Pattern handy for your next sock project.
If you make a pair, I’d love to hear what yarn color you choose—leave a comment below and tell me whether you’re knitting these for yourself or someone else!
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