Sock It Up

Sock It Up by Peri Wilson

Project Overview

Sock It Up is a top-down ankle sock pattern designed by Peri Wilson that features an all-over textured stitch pattern throughout the leg and foot. This intermediate-level knitting project offers knitters the opportunity to create visually interesting socks with customizable color options for the heel and toe sections, or keep the design simple with a single yarn color.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a pair of ankle-length socks worked from the cuff down to the toe. The design combines decorative textured stitching on the leg and foot with functional construction elements, making it suitable for everyday wear while maintaining visual interest.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Top-down construction: Socks are knit beginning at the cuff and working downward toward the toe
• Short row shaping: Used to create the heel with wrap and turn (WT) technique for smooth, fitted heel cups
• Star toe: A decorative toe closure method that creates a distinctive finish
• Magic Loop, two circular needles, or double-pointed needles: The pattern accommodates multiple needle techniques, allowing knitters to choose their preferred method for working small circumference circular knitting
• Long tail cast on: Specifically German long tail cast on is recommended for the cuff edge

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• All-over textured pattern: Creates visual interest across the leg and foot sections of the sock
• Garter stitch: Used for the short row heel construction
• Stocking stitch: The gauge is measured in stocking stitch (32 stitches and 47 rounds = 4 inches or 10 centimeters)
• Knit (K): Basic knit stitch
• Purl (P): Basic purl stitch
• Knit through the back of the loop (Ktbl): Creates twisted stitches for textural variation
• Purl 2 together (P2tog): Decrease stitch used in shaping
• Wrap and turn (WT): Special short row technique for heel construction that prevents holes and creates smooth transitions

Materials and Yarn Requirements

The pattern calls for 1 skein of 100g/400m sock yarn in fingering weight or 4-ply yarn, which is the standard for sock knitting. Optional scrap yarn in coordinating or contrasting colors (approximately 25-30g) can be used for the heel and toe sections to create a two-tone or multi-color effect. The pattern is worked on 2.5mm needles in the knitter's preferred circular needle format.

Customization Options

Knitters have flexibility in personalizing their finished socks. The heel and toe can be knit in alternative colors using scrap yarn for a coordinating or contrasting effect, or the entire sock can be knit in a single yarn color for a cohesive, understated look. This versatility makes the pattern suitable for using up yarn scraps or creating intentional color-blocked designs.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, this pattern requires knitters to be comfortable with circular knitting techniques, understanding of abbreviations, and familiarity with short row shaping methods. The wrap and turn technique is explained in the pattern's special instructions section, making it accessible to knitters developing advanced skills.