Onni Socks in Novita Nalle - NFFP006 - Downloadable PDF

Onni Socks in Novita Nalle – Pattern Summary (NFFP006)

The Onni Socks is a free, downloadable PDF knitting pattern designed by Sari Nordlund and published by Novita. This intermediate-level pattern produces a pair of cosy, beautifully textured socks sized for approximately EUR shoe size 22, with a sole length of roughly 15 cm / 6 inches. The design is worked in Novita Nalle yarn in colourway (751) Gooseberry, requiring approximately 50 g of yarn per pair.

What Is Being Made

These are a pair of small knitted socks constructed from the toe up, featuring a decorative cable and seed stitch panel running along the instep. The combination of a classic cable motif with seed stitch borders gives the socks a charming, tactile finish that makes them both visually appealing and practical. The construction method — working from the toe upward — allows knitters to adjust the foot length easily before committing to the leg.

Construction and Techniques

• Toe-up construction: The socks begin at the toe, with stitches increased gradually to build the foot. Rounds 2–3 are repeated four more times during the toe shaping, adding 16 stitches in total to reach 40 stitches on the needles.
• Hourglass heel (short-row heel): When the foot measures 12 cm, the heel is worked over the stockinette stitch section using short rows. Each turn creates a double stitch — a technique where a stitch is slipped purlwise with the yarn in front and the yarn is then tightened so the loops of the slipped stitch come over the needle. Short rows continue, turning before the previous double stitch each time, until 10 regular stitches remain in the middle. Long rows are then worked to reintegrate all stitches, with each double stitch worked together as one stitch to close the gaps neatly.
• Magic Loop technique: The pattern supports working on an 80 cm / 32 in circular needle using the Magic Loop method, as well as on traditional double-pointed needles, giving knitters flexibility in their preferred small-circumference knitting approach.
• Chart-based cable pattern: The instep features a 16-stitch cable panel worked from a chart (Chart I). The pattern begins on row 1 of the chart and repeats rows 1–22 throughout the foot and leg. The cable section is flanked by 2 seed stitches on each side for a tidy, defined border.

Stitches Used

• Twisted ribbing in the round: Worked as k1 through back loop, p1, repeated to the end of the round. This creates a firmer, more elastic cuff than standard ribbing.
• Stockinette stitch in the round: All stitches are knitted every round, forming the smooth fabric of the sole and heel sections.
• Seed stitch in the round: Worked as k1, p1, with knit stitches purled and purl stitches knitted on subsequent rounds to maintain the alternating texture.
• Cable pattern: Worked following the chart and accompanying instructions, forming the central decorative panel on the instep. Cables are a classic knitting technique involving crossing groups of stitches over one another to create twisted, rope-like or lattice designs.
• Double stitch short rows: Used during heel construction to create smooth, gap-free turns — a modern and reliable short-row method well suited to sock knitting.

Materials and Gauge

The pattern calls for Novita Nalle yarn, a DK weight yarn, in colourway (751) Gooseberry, with approximately 50 g required. Knitters should use Novita 3 mm double-pointed needles (UK 11 / US 2½) or an 80 cm / 32 in circular needle for the Magic Loop method, adjusting needle size as needed to achieve the correct tension. The recommended gauge is 24 stitches in stockinette stitch = 10 cm / 4 inches