Farrow-Rib Socks

Farrow-Rib Socks by Stefanie Johnson

What Is Being Made

The Farrow-Rib Socks are a pair of knitted socks designed by Stefanie Johnson to suit a wide range of knitters and foot sizes. This downloadable PDF pattern creates socks with a distinctive ribbed construction that produces a thick, squishy fabric with excellent stretch and recovery. The design is suitable for advanced beginners and those with some knitting experience, offering slightly more complexity than a basic vanilla sock pattern while remaining accessible to most knitters.

Sizing and Fit

The pattern is available in four sizes to accommodate different foot circumferences:

• Adult S: 7.25" [18.5 cm] foot circumference
• Adult M: 8" [20.25 cm] foot circumference
• Adult L: 8.75" [22.25 cm] foot circumference
• Adult XL: 9.5" [24.25 cm] foot circumference

The pattern incorporates approximately 0.75" (2 cm) of negative ease, meaning the socks are designed to fit snugly and hug the foot for a secure, comfortable wear. This negative ease works best with the stretchy nature of the farrow rib construction.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Farrow-Rib Socks feature a farrow rib stitch pattern as the primary design element. This ribbed construction pulls in significantly to create a dense, elastic fabric that provides excellent compression and a satisfying squishy texture against the foot. The ribbed design is not limited to the leg and foot—the pattern also includes ribbed gussets, which are a forgiving construction method that can accommodate a wider range of gusset depths and individual fitting needs.

The socks are worked using the stockinette stitch as the base gauge measurement, and the overall construction method uses circular needles, a common technique for seamless sock knitting. The ribbed elements throughout the design create stretch and recovery, making these socks highly functional and durable.

Materials and Gauge

Yarn: The pattern calls for 100g of fingering weight sock yarn. The sample shown uses Cascade Yarns Heritage Solids in color 5603 Marine, which is composed of 75% Merino Wool and 25% nylon/polyamide. This yarn provides 437 yards (400 meters) per 100 grams (3.53 ounces), offering sufficient yardage for all four sizes with a single skein.

Needles and Notions: U.S. size 1.5 (2.5 mm) circular needles are required, or the size needed to obtain proper gauge. The pattern also requires stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping, and a darning needle for weaving in ends and any finishing work.

Gauge: The pattern is worked to a gauge of 36 stitches and 48 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit, particularly given the negative ease built into the sizing.

Pattern Characteristics

The Farrow-Rib Socks are specifically designed to be stretchy and forgiving. The ribbed construction throughout the pattern—both in the main fabric and the gussets—creates natural elasticity that accommodates various foot shapes and sizes within each size range. This makes the pattern particularly appealing to knitters seeking a versatile sock design that works well for gift-giving or for knitters with varying foot dimensions.