The Knobbly Socks Free Knitting Pattern

Written by Amy Kate of The Graceful Tangle

Hi there! I’m Amy Kate, a young but passionate knit and crochet pattern designer. I started designing patterns in 2020 with a crazy goal to release one a week, and haven’t been able to stop since! It’s my dream to take this little business of mine full time, and each day I get a tad closer. I’m so grateful to be a small piece of this beautiful community!

I am honored to be featured on Kalley’s blog, and I can’t wait to share this sock pattern and recipe with you! First off, a teensy back story. I seriously love ice cream. I could easily eat a small bowl every day. While I love knitting even more, the combination of ice cream, a WIP, and a good show is simply unbeatable. What can I say, I am an introvert and homebody through and through. It doesn’t take much to please me. Before some recipe chatter, let’s get started on some socks!

To purchase an ad-free, PDF version of this pattern, click here!

Pattern

Materials

• 100 grams of any worsted (4) weight yarn
• Size US 2 ½ (3.00 mm) needles, suitable for the method of your choice
• Scissors
• Yarn needle
• Ruler to check gauge
• Stitch markers (optional)

Gauge

In order to ensure that the socks will fit their intended recipient, I suggest checking gauge.
24 stitches and 32 rounds = 4×4 inches in stockinette stitch worked in the round, blocked.

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on
• k: knit
• p: purl
• ea: each
• sl: slip (as if to purl)
• n1: needle 1 (or the first ½ of the sts)
• n2: needle 2 (or the second ½ of the sts)
• k2tog: knit two stitches together
• ssk: slip, slip, knit
• st(s): stitch(es)
• **: repeat the instructions in the asterisks

Pattern Notes

I know this is quite a lot of notes, but they’re here for a reason! I encourage you to read through them before beginning your first sock.

• This sock ruler is extremely helpful for knitting socks in any size.
• These are my favorite sock blockers.
• This pattern is written for using the magic loop method, and the rows will be divided into n1 and n2. If you’d like to use a different method, such as DPNs or 9” circs, simply treat n1 and n2 as the first ½ of the sts and the second ½. I recommend placing 2 different markers: one to mark the ½ way point, and one to mark the beginning of the round.
• This pattern provides instructions for an afterthought heel. If you would like to substitute a different heel, simply omit the heel instructions, and substitute your chosen heel after completing the leg.
• This pattern is written for sizes small(medium, large) and are designed to fit a 7(8, 9) inch foot circumference. Please note that sock fabric has a lot of stretch, and each size will realistically fit 6-8(7-9, 8-10) inch feet. I suggest choosing the size that best suits the amount of negative/positive ease you prefer for socks.

Helpful Tutorials

Afterthought Heel and Setup
Kitchener Stitch

Cuff

CO 40(48, 56) sts.

Set up to work in the round, and divide the sts in half. You should have 20 (24, 28) sts on each needle if
working magic loop, or 20 (24, 28) sts in between each marker if using another method.

Rounds 1-10
n1 and n2: k1, p1 across all sts.

Proceed to Leg Instructions

Leg

Rounds 1-2
n1: p1, k1 across all sts.
n2: k all sts

Rounds 3-4
n1: k1, p1 across all sts.
n2: k all sts

If you would like your leg to be shorter/longer, simply repeat rounds 1-4 until you reach your desired length.

On the Final Round (Round 4) work across the sts on n1 ONLY.

Proceed to Heel Setup Instructions

Heel setup

If you are substituting a different heel, omit these instructions and follow the instructions for your chosen heel.

Working on n2 only, using scrap yarn:
Row 1: k all sts. 20(24, 28) sts
Row 2: p all sts. 20(24, 28) sts
Row 3: k all sts. 20(24, 28) sts

After working Row 3, sl all the sts back to the left hand needle, then drop and cut the scrap yarn, and pick up the main yarn again. Knit across all the sts on n2.

Proceed to Foot Instructions

Foot

Continue
Repeat Rounds 1-4 of the Leg Instructions

For Afterthought heel
Work until the foot measures 4.25(4.5, 4.75) inches from your desired length, measured from Row 3 of the heel setup.

For substituted heel
Work until the foot measures 2 inches from your desired length, measured from the base of the heel.

Proceed to Toe Instructions

Toe

If you have chosen a method other than magic loop, I recommend switching to magic loop or DPNs now.

Round 1
n1 and n2: k all sts.

Round 2
n1 and n2: k1, ssk, k until three sts remain, k2tog, k1. (4 sts dec)

Rounds 3-16
Repeat Rounds 1 and 2. You will have 8(16, 24) total sts remaining.

Feel free to add/subtract decrease rounds to accommodate for your preferences.

Bind off using the kitchener stitch (see Helpful Tutorials)

Proceed to Afterthought Heel Instructions

Afterthought Heel

If you have chosen a method other than magic loop, I recommend switching to magic loop or DPNs now.

Setup
From right to left with the toe pointed down, pick up the right leg only of the 20(24, 28) sts on the rows directly above and below waste yarn. Start on the sts above the waste yarn(leg), then take the second needle and pick up the sts below(foot). Cut and remove the waste yarn in between the needles.

Round 1(beginning with the leg sts)
n1 and n2: k all sts, then pick up two extra sts at the ends to prevent gaps.
Round 2
n1 and n2: k until 4 sts remain, k2tog, k2tog.
Round(s) 3(3-4, 3-5)
n1 and n2: k all sts.
Rounds 4(5, 6) – 19(20, 21)

Repeat Rounds 1-16 of Toe Instructions

Bind off using the kitchener stitch (see Helpful Tutorials)

Proceed to Finishing Instructions

Finishing

Cut any attached yarn, and weave in your ends.

My favorite way to finish a pair of socks is to wet block them. Fill a sink or small tub with lukewarm water and add some wool wash if desired. Insert the socks into the water, and let sit for about 5 minutes. Place the socks on sock blockers appropriate to your size, and let them air dry.

Lastly, enjoy and show off your beautiful handmade socks, or
gift them to someone special. If desired, share them on Instagram using the #knobblysocks and tag
@thegracefultangle!

Recipe

Aside from running all things The Graceful Tangle, I am also a full-time college student, pursuing a degree in the field of Accounting. Juggling a business, a job, college, and general life to-dos means a couple things. First, I have spent the last year learning a lot about balance, but more on that in a bit. Secondly, lots of coffee! This coffee ice cream is the perfect little treat for any time of day. Creamy and decadent with just enough coffee flavor, it is sure to please all you amazing coffee-lovers out there! Let’s make some!

Ingredients

• 2 cups (1 pint) of Heavy Whipping Cream

• 1 can of Sweetened Condensed Milk

• ¼ cup of coffee simple syrup (recipe below)

Note: This recipe is super easy, but takes a day to fully complete. Trust me though, it is 100% worth the wait. I encourage you to give it a try!

Coffee Simple Syrup

The secret ingredient in this recipe is the coffee simple syrup. It is crazy easy to make, and provides that strong coffee taste and extra creamy texture.

1. Brew a cup of coffee five times stronger than you usually would. For my ice cream, I brewed 1 cup of water with ten tablespoons of coffee grounds. Feel free to adjust this ratio any way you like. The more grounds,
   the stronger the coffee; the fewer grounds, the weaker the coffee. I love a strong flavor!
2. After your coffee is brewed, measure how much was made. I got half a cup of coffee with my ratio. Combine
   your coffee with equal parts sugar. Again, I got half a cup of coffee, so I used half a cup of sugar. Combine these two ingredients in a saucepan, and bring to a slow simmer.
3. Once your coffee and sugar are combined and simmering, remove from heat. It should be the consistency of a thin syrup, but don’t worry too much about that. Transfer to a heat safe jar, and let cool in the fridge completely.

Tip: I like to make my simple syrup in the morning, and then it will be ready to use for the ice cream in the afternoon!

Ice Cream

1. In a standing mixer or large bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form.
2. Add the can of sweetened condensed milk, and combine thoroughly. Again, soft peaks should form.
3. Lastly, add ¼ cup of the simple syrup. Combine thoroughly.
4. Finally, transfer the mixture to a two-quart freezer safe container.
5. Let freeze overnight, and enjoy the next day! Eat it alone, or combine with a brownie or cookie for the ultimate dessert.

Tip: You will most likely have some simple syrup leftover. I recommend adding it to any kind of milk, or whipping cream with coffee. Or…save it for the next time you make this ice cream!

More about Amy Kate

I hope you are excited to make some gorgeous textured socks and some creamy ice cream! The inspiration behind this entire blog post comes from something I have been learning a lot about this past year: Balance. Balancing everything in life is not easy, and honestly not entirely possible. As a young adult, I learn more and more about what is and isn’t important each day. I have learned how to be self-disciplined and motivated, and am always eager to get one more thing checked off the to-do list. While these are important traits to learn, it isn’t possible to have everything just so all the time. I encourage you to give yourself grace, be inspired by others, and take a few minutes for yourself…preferably with yarn in hand!

I would love to have you join my community! I am so delighted to inspire, encourage, and uplift other makers. Join me on Instagram and YouTube for all the yarn, college, and designing content!

You can also find other patterns from me on Ravelry!

Happy Making,
Amy Kate, @thegracefultangle