Ribbed Socks in Novita Nalle - 6 - Downloadable PDF

Ribbed Socks in Novita Nalle by Susanna Mertsalmi – Knitting Pattern Summary

These charming ribbed socks are a beginner-friendly knitting pattern designed by Susanna Mertsalmi and worked in Novita Nalle DK-weight yarn. Available as a free downloadable PDF, the pattern produces a classic, comfortable sock with a colour-blocked aesthetic, combining a structured ribbed leg with a reinforced heel and a smooth stockinette foot. The design is offered in three sizes — approximately 30, 38, and 46 — making it suitable for children through to adults.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Novita Nalle yarn in three colourways:

• Novita Nalle (061) Linen — the main colour used for the ribbed leg and foot, requiring 100 g for sizes 30 and 38, and 150 g for size 46
• Novita Nalle (539) Azalea — used as a contrast colour for the heel, less than 50 g required
• Novita Nalle (324) Glacier — used for the cast-on cuff, less than 50 g required

The recommended needles are Novita 3 mm double-pointed needles (UK 11 / US 2½), or whichever size is needed to achieve the correct tension. Socks are worked on a set of four double-pointed needles, which allows for seamless knitting in the round — a traditional and practical method for sock construction.

Tension and Gauge

The stated gauge is 24 stitches in stockinette stitch over 10 cm / 4 inches. As with all sock knitting, achieving the correct gauge is important for a well-fitting result, and knitters are encouraged to swatch and adjust needle size as needed.

Construction and Design Overview

The socks are knitted top-down, beginning at the cuff and working down to the toe. This is one of the most traditional sock construction methods and is particularly well-suited to beginners learning sock knitting for the first time. The total stitch count is 48 stitches for size 30, 56 stitches for size 38, and 64 stitches for size 46, distributed evenly across four double-pointed needles.

Cuff and Leg

The sock begins with a cast-on using the Glacier-coloured yarn, immediately establishing a colour contrast at the cuff. The cuff is worked in 2×2 ribbing in the round — a stitch pattern formed by alternating knit 2, purl 2 repeats — which creates a stretchy, form-fitting edge that hugs the ankle and holds the sock in place. After approximately 6 cm, the yarn is switched to Linen, and ribbing continues until the leg section measures 20 cm in total. The colour transition between Glacier and Linen gives the cuff a neat, defined stripe.

Heel Flap

The heel is worked flat, back and forth in rows, using the Azalea yarn as a third contrast colour — a striking design detail that highlights the heel construction. The heel flap is worked over 22 stitches for size 30, 26 stitches for size 38, and 30 stitches for size 46. It uses a reinforced stitch pattern, which involves alternating slipped stitches with knit stitches on right-side rows. This technique creates a double layer of fabric at the heel, significantly increasing durability in the area of greatest wear — a hallmark of well-constructed hand-knitted socks.

• Row 1 (wrong side): Slip 1, purl to end
• Row 2 (right side): Slip 1, knit 1, repeat to end

These two rows are repeated for a total of 11, 13, or 15 times depending on the size, followed by one additional wrong-side row before turning the heel.

Turning the Heel