Dance Socks in Regia 4 Ply 50g - 7231

Dance Socks (Design 7231) – Free Knitted Leg Warmers / Dance Socks Pattern by Regia in 4 Ply

This free downloadable PDF pattern from Regia (design number 7231) provides instructions for a pair of beautifully detailed knitted leg warmers, referred to in the original German as Fußstulpen — a style of footless sock or dance sock that sits over the foot and ankle. These are a popular choice for dancers, yogis, and anyone seeking a cosy, stylish leg accessory. The pattern is worked from the top down and includes a decorative eyelet drawstring channel, an open heel construction, and a charming twisted cord with pompom finishing.

What Is Being Made

The finished item is a pair of knitted dance socks or leg warmers that cover the lower leg and foot while leaving the toes free. They feature a ribbed upper section, a decorative lace-effect eyelet row for a drawstring channel, an open heel, and a structured foot section combining rib, stocking stitch, and cuff patterns. A hand-knitted twisted cord is threaded through the eyelet channel and finished with two small pompoms, adding a playful and practical decorative detail.

Materials Used

• Yarn: Schachenmayr Regia 4-fädig (Regia 4 Ply), 100 g in Light Grey, shade 01968
• Needles: Milward double-pointed needle set (DPN set), size 2–2.5 mm
• Additional materials: Yarn for two small pompoms approximately 2 cm in diameter, which are sewn to the ends of the twisted cord

Yarn Weight and Gauge

Regia 4 Ply is a fingering-weight sock yarn, well known for its durability, stitch definition, and suitability for fine knitted accessories. The pattern specifies a tension (gauge) of approximately 30 stitches and 40 rounds to 10 cm × 10 cm in stocking stitch, which is typical for this yarn weight worked on 2–2.5 mm needles. Achieving the correct gauge is important for ensuring the leg warmers fit correctly around the calf and foot.

Construction and Structure

The leg warmers are knitted in the round using a set of double-pointed needles, worked from the top down. A total of 72 stitches are cast on — 18 stitches per needle across four needles. The construction moves through several distinct sections:

• Top edging: Rounds 1–3 are worked in purl (reverse stocking stitch) to create a neat rolled or textured edge
• Decorative lace section: Round 4 is knitted in plain knit stitch; Round 5 introduces a repeating lace pattern using yarn overs and slip-stitch decreases (Überzug) for a delicate eyelet effect; Rounds 6 and 7 continue the lace sequence with a yarn over and right-leaning decrease combination; Rounds 8–10 return to purl stitch
• Rib body: The main body of the leg warmer is worked in a 3×3 rib pattern (3 knit stitches, 3 purl stitches alternating), beginning rounds with 2 purl stitches and ending with 1 purl stitch for correct alignment
• Drawstring eyelet round: At 20 cm height, a decorative eyelet round is worked to create the drawstring channel, using a combination of yarn overs, right-leaning decreases, and left-leaning decreases in a repeating sequence
• Open heel: At 22 cm height, 31 stitches are cast off to create an open heel opening, then re-cast on in the following round — a simple and effective technique that leaves a gap for the heel while maintaining the round structure
• Foot section: The foot is worked in three parts — 2 cm in rib pattern, 8 cm in plain stocking stitch (knit every round), and 2 cm in 1×1 rib cuff pattern (