Bikini Socks in Regia Cotton Tutti Frutti - 5628 - Downloadable PDF

Bikini Socks in Regia Cotton Tutti Frutti – Pattern 5628 by REGIA Designteam

This free downloadable PDF pattern, numbered 5628 and designed by the REGIA Designteam, guides knitters through creating a charming pair of Bikini Socks — a style distinguished by their low-cut, ankle-skimming silhouette that sits just above the foot, reminiscent of a bikini line. Originally published in September 2004, this pattern remains a delightful project for anyone looking to knit a fun, lightweight summer sock. The pattern is rated Easy, making it an excellent choice for beginner sock knitters who are ready to tackle their first pair of socks on double-pointed needles.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a pair of Bikini Socks — low-ankle knitted socks worked in the round on double-pointed needles. The design features a one-sided toe shaping, which creates an anatomically considered fit by shaping the toe asymmetrically for the left and right foot. This means the two socks are not identical mirror images worked the same way; instead, the pattern provides specific instructions for working the left foot in reverse, giving each sock a tailored feel. The socks are sized to fit a range of adult foot sizes, with the pattern covering three sizes corresponding to shoe sizes 32–35, 36–39, and 40–43, making them suitable for older children through to adults.

Design Details and Construction

The Bikini Sock construction follows a classic top-down sock-knitting method worked in the round using a set of double-pointed needles (DPN). The sock is divided across multiple needles — typically four — allowing the knitter to shape the heel, foot, and toe seamlessly without seams. The low cut of the bikini style means there is minimal leg above the ankle, keeping the project quick to complete and ideal for warmer months when a lightweight, barely-there sock is preferred.

The one-sided toe shaping is a notable feature of this pattern. Rather than working a standard symmetrical toe decrease, the shaping is offset to one side to better follow the natural contour of the foot. For the right foot, decreases are worked at specific needle positions, while for the left foot, the instructions are worked in reverse — stitches are slipped to a holder at the end of needle 1 and the beginning of needle 2, and the shaping is mirrored accordingly. This technique produces a more comfortable, well-fitting toe box.

The big toe is also given its own treatment: stitches are placed on a holder during the main foot construction and then picked up again to work the big toe separately. Depending on the size being knitted, between 16, 20, or 22 stitches are picked up from the holder, with an additional 4, 4, or 6 stitches picked up along the bar to complete the toe round. The toe is then worked over 20, 24, or 28 stitches for 4, 6, or 8 rounds before all stitches are bound off purlwise, creating a neat, rounded finish.

Techniques Used

• Knitting in the round on double-pointed needles (DPN), a foundational sock-knitting technique that produces a seamless tubular fabric
• One-sided (asymmetric) toe shaping for a left and right foot-specific fit
• Stitch holder usage — stitches are slipped onto a holder to be returned to later for the big toe construction
• Picking up stitches along a bar to close gaps and add stitches when rejoining the big toe section
• Purlwise bind-off to finish the toe with a smooth, flexible edge
• Decreases (dec) worked at specific needle positions to shape the toe correctly for each foot
• Reverse working for the left foot, mirroring the right foot instructions to achieve the asymmetric shaping

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch — the primary stitch used throughout the sock body, worked in the round to create a smooth stockinette fabric
• Purl stitch — referenced in the purlwise bind-off at the toe
• Decreases