Make a pair of bright, striped Folk Flower Socks with an eye-catching colorwork band — perfect for brightening your sock drawer. This pattern contains full instructions for shorty and calf-length versions, color placement charts, and step-by-step heel and toe shaping. You can customize colors and sizes to fit kids through adult XL, and the pattern includes helpful tips for knitting stripes in the round.
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— Cuff :
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With MC, CO (48) 57 (63, 72, 81) sts and join for working in the rnd, being careful not to twist your sts. Est 2 x 1 ribbing: [k2, p1] to end.
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Cont working the ribbing until your cuff measures 3/4" (2 cm), or your desired length. On the last rnd of the ribbing, some of you need to adjust your stitch count. If you are working the Kid size, or L, move on to the leg instructions. The rest of you, make the following increase or decrease according to your size:
Round S :
Work in rib pattern to the last 3 sts, k2tog, p1. 56 sts.
Round M :
Work in rib pattern to the last 3 sts, kfb, k1, p1. 64 sts.
Round XL :
Work in rib pattern to the last 3 sts, k2tog, p1. 80 sts.
— Leg (Shorty Version) :
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*Note: If you are knitting the two-color stripes, or the multi-color stripes, don't cut your MC. Simply join in your CC and carry your MC on the inside of your work.
Round 1 :
Join in CC1 and work one stripe (5 rnds) even in stockinette.
— Leg (Calf-length Version) :
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Cut MC and join in CC2. Work all 9 rnds of the chart once. Cut CC2, CC3, and CC4. Join in CC1. Begin working stripe pattern in stockinette, alternating between CC1 and MC, until your leg (including cuff!) measures 3" / 8 cm, or your desired length. I worked 5 stripes total before stopping for the heel! End after working a CC1 stripe.
— Heel Flap :
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With MC, knit 1 rnd even. Next, K across the first (24) 28 (32, 36, 40) sts, then begin working the heel flap back and forth across the remaining (24) 28 (32, 36, 40) sts as follows:
Row 1 (RS) :
K2, [sl 1 wyib, k1] to end. Turn work.
Row 2 (WS) :
Sl 1 wyif, p to end. Turn work.
Row 3 :
[Sl 1 wyib, k1] to end. Turn work.
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Repeat rows 2 and 3 until heel flap measures (1.75) 2 (2, 2.25, 2.5)" / (4.5) 5 (5, 5, 6) cm. End after you have worked row 3.
— Heel Turn :
Row 1 (WS) :
Sl 1 wyif, p (12) 14 (16, 18, 20), p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 2 (RS) :
Sl 1 wyib, k3, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 3 :
Sl 1 wyif, p4, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 4 :
Sl 1 wyib, k5, ssk, k1, turn.
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You have now established the following pattern for your heel turn: sl 1, knit or purl to 1 st before the gap created by turning on the previous row, ssk or p2tog, k1 or p1, turn. Cont in this pattern until all your heel sts have been worked, ending on a RS row. You should now have (14) 16 (18, 20, 22) heel sts.
— Gusset :
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*Note: If you are working multi-color socks, you will cut MC, and join in your next color before picking up your stitches! For two-color striped socks, you will cont working the gusset in MC.
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With the right side of your work facing, pick up and k (10) 12 (14, 16, 18) sts along the left side of the heel flap. Next, k across the (24) 28 (32, 36, 40) sts that we've left undisturbed on our needles while working the heel flap. Pm, and pick up (10) 12 (14, 16, 18) sts on the right side of the heel flap. K across the heel sts, then k down the first set of new sts you picked up on the left side. You've reached the end of the rnd, and all your sts have now been picked up. You should now have (58) 68 (78, 88, 98) sts on your needles. You will also have completed 2 rnds of a stripe (you knit the first rnd of the stripe before you worked the heel flap!).
— Gusset Decreases :
Rnd 1 :
K across (24) 28 (32, 36, 40) sts, sl marker, k1, ssk, k around to 3 sts before the end of rnd, k2tog, k1.
Rnd 2 :
Work even with no decreases.
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Repeat these two rnds until you have (48) 56 (64, 72, 80) sts on your needles, while at the same time working the 5 rnd stripe pattern.
— Foot :
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Cont working in stripe pattern until your foot measures 3/4" / 2 cm SHORT of where you need to stop for the toe decreases. To figure that out, measure from the back of the heel to the end of the toe and subtract the approximate toe length for your size (see next info block for length guidelines).
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Length guidelines (all sizes are US): Kid: 6 - 7.5" / 11 - 15 cm. Women's shoe sizes 4 - 6.5: 8 - 9" / 20.5 - 23 cm. Women's shoe sizes 7 - 9.5: 9.25 - 10" / 23 - 25.5 cm. Women's shoe sizes 10 - 12.5: 10.25 - 11" / 26 - 28 cm. Men's shoe sizes 6 - 8.5: 9.25 - 10" / 23 - 25.5 cm. Men's shoe sizes 9 - 11.5: 10.25 - 11" / 26 - 28 cm. Men's shoe sizes 12 - 14: 11.25 - 12" / 28.5 - 30.5 cm.
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Your approximate toe length (once you've eventually knit it) should be: Kid: 1" / 2.5 cm. S: 1.5" / 4 cm. M: 1.5" / 4 cm. L: 1.5" / 4 cm. XL: 1.75" / 4 cm.
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Next, join in your first CC and work all 9 rnds of the chart once. Join in your toe color and k 1 rnd even in stockinette.
— Toe :
Rnd 1 :
K1, ssk, k (18) 22 (26, 30, 34) sts, k2tog, k1, pm, k1, ssk, k (18) 22 (26, 30, 34) sts, k2tog, k1. 4 sts decreased.
Rnd 3 :
K1, ssk, k to 3 sts before next marker, k2tog, k1, sl m, k1, ssk, k around to 3 sts before end of rnd, k2tog, k1. 4 sts decreased.
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Repeat rnds 2 and 3 until (20) 24 (28, 32, 36) sts remain.
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Use Kitchener Stitch to close the toe.
— Finishing :
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Weave in all ends and block your socks!
These bright Folk Flower Socks bring playful colorwork and stripes to a classic sock pattern, perfect for gifting or treating yourself. Customize colors and lengths easily for ankle or calf versions, and enjoy simple shaping for a professional finish. Happy knitting — may every step be cozy and colorful! 🧦🧶