Slip On Socks

The Slip On Socks are inspired by slip on shoes. A comfortable, effortless footwear option, they often have whimsical patterns on the fabric, and they are shaped in a way that shows off hand-knitted socks beautifully. This pattern is also comfortable, low-effort, and fun; they are a great way to have fun with minis, sock sets, and wild yarns!

Close up of feet wearing knitted socks in a wildly-speckled yarn with a spiralling slipped-stitch texture; the socks have diagonal accent-colour sections at the cuffs.

Side view of feet wearing knitted socks in a wildly-speckled yarn with a spiralling slipped-stitch texture; the socks have diagonal accent-colour sections at the toes and cuffs.

Feet wearing knitted socks in a wildly-speckled yarn with a spiralling slipped-stitch texture; the socks have diagonal accent-colour sections at the toes and cuffs.

Specifications

Difficulty	Intermediate Sock
Style	Toe-up socks with traditional afterthought heel and optional afterthought gussets
Sizing	Adult Small (Medium, Large) for foot circumferences of 18 (21, 24) cm / 7 (8.25, 9.5) inches
Yarn	Fingering weight sock yarn; 240 (260, 280) m / 265 (285, 305) yards required for the Main Colour and 50 (60, 70) m / 55 (65, 75) yards required for each of two Contrast Colours
Needles	2.0 mm / US 0 and 2.25 mm / US 1 needles for a recommended gauge of 35 st and 46 rounds in 10 cm / 4 inches
Notions	Stitch markers, cable needle (optional), tapestry needle, blocking materials

These toe-up socks have a spiralling slipped-stitch pattern that flows seamlessly across the instep and around the leg. Helical striping allows the contrast colours at the toe and cuff to extend into the foot and leg patterning with impactful diagonal detailing. The motif uses elongated stitches and no-cable-needle cables for a stretchy fit with intuitive patterning. They have an afterthought heel (with optional afterthought mini-gussets) as well as a cuff that flows neatly into the leg patterning. The pattern is written for three adult sizes and the foot lengths are adjustable to fit.

This pattern requires the knitter to be able to knit a small circumference in the round (the pattern is written in a method-neutral manner to suit your preferred technique for socks — double-pointed needles, magic loop/one circular needle, two circular needles, short circular needle, etc. — and the socks can be worked two-at-a-time on the foot and on the heels). Corresponding written instructions are provided for the charts, all abbreviations are fully explained, and video resources are linked for many of the required techniques. It is easily accessible to an intermediate sock knitter.

Grab that busy skein, choose a couple of minis that go with it, and work this fun and easy slipped-stitch pattern to bring them all together! They look good in pretty much any style of yarn for the Main Colour, and the Contrast Colours can really be anything you think works with your Main Colour. Excellent for using up impulse-buy skeins and leftovers, these socks are so much more fun than vanilla socks while still being a speedy, TV-knitting-friendly project!

This pattern is compatible with the knitCompanion app! You can purchase a version prepared specifically for the app by clicking on the white t-shirt icon buying option.