New Free Toe-Up Ankle Sock Pattern: Toe-Up Vanilla Ankle Sock
Discover the best toe-up ankle sock pattern below. Check out more free sock patterns here.
If you’ve been around my blog for a while, you know I’m a little obsessed with socks. They’re quick, portable, and the perfect project when I need something soothing on my needles. Today, I’m beyond excited to share a brand-new toe-up ankle sock pattern that I’ve been working on behind the scenes for quite some time.
This pattern is called Toe-Up Vanilla Ankle Socks, and it’s the toe-up version of my already popular Vanilla Ankle Socks. People have been asking for this option for over a year, and I finally obliged. It’s knit using Premier Yarns Fruits in the color Blueberry (affiliate link) on size 1 (2.25mm) needles, and the simplicity of the design allows the fun fruit-inspired stripes to shine. I originally made them for my 8-year-old son, and I couldn’t have picked a better yarn/pattern combo.
Why a Toe-Up Ankle Sock Pattern?
There are two main camps in the sock knitting world: top-down knitters and toe-up knitters. Personally, I love having both in my back pocket. Sometimes I want the traditional cuff-down experience, but other times I want the control and flexibility of starting from the toes and working upward.
A toe-up ankle sock pattern gives you freedom—freedom to try the sock on as you go, to use every last bit of yarn without fear of running short, and to adjust the leg length however you like. When I made this pair for my son, it was so helpful to be able to have him slip them on mid-knit to make sure they fit just right.
The Yarn That Shines
As soon as I saw Premier Yarns Fruits in Blueberry (affiliate link), I knew it was destined for socks. The stripes are playful and cheerful, but not overwhelming, and the toe-up ankle sock pattern really lets them be the star of the show.
Because the pattern is intentionally simple—no heavy cables or lace details—the yarn can do the talking. It’s perfect for kids’ socks or that skein of indie dyed yarn or for anyone who wants something fun on their feet without spending ages on complicated stitches.
The Original Vanilla Ankle Socks
Before I go any further, let’s talk about the original. My Vanilla Ankle Socks (the cuff-down version) are one of my most downloaded patterns. They’re simple, classic, and make the perfect “first sock” project. If you’re a cuff-down knitter at heart, you can grab that free pattern here.
The response to those socks was incredible, and the requests for a toe-up version started pouring in almost immediately. It took me a while to get around to it (hello, life with eight kids and lots of designs on my plate), but I finally sat down and re-engineered the design to work from the opposite direction. And let me tell you—it was worth the wait.
Skills You’ll Learn in This Toe-Up Ankle Sock Pattern
Even though this toe-up ankle sock pattern is beginner-friendly, it’s also a great project to practice or learn new skills. Here are the techniques you’ll come across:
- Judy’s Magic Cast On – the ultimate toe-up sock cast on. I have a full tutorial here.
- M1R/M1L – handy increases for shaping. Tutorial here.
- KFB and PFB – knit and purl front-back increases. Tutorials here and here.
- SSK and K2TOG – the decreases you’ll need for smooth shaping. Tutorials here and here.
I’ve linked all the tutorials above so you can follow along if any of these are new to you. Learning them through a simple sock project makes them a lot less intimidating.
Why I Love This Sock for Kids
When I knit socks for my kids, I need a pattern that’s simple, fast, and flexible. This toe-up ankle sock pattern checks all the boxes. I knit them for my 8-year-old son, and he loves the bright, stripey look of the Premier Yarns Fruits in Blueberry (affiliate link).
The short ankle height is perfect for little feet that are constantly on the move. And honestly, I love that I can whip up a pair in just a few evenings without worrying about complex charts or hours of concentration.
Variations and Customization
One of the best things about a toe-up ankle sock pattern is that it’s endlessly customizable. Want a taller cuff? Keep knitting. Need to adjust for a wider foot? Add a few extra stitches at the cast on. Want to experiment with ribbing, texture, or even cables? Go for it!
This pattern is intentionally plain so that you can use it as a blank canvas. The stripes of Premier Yarns Fruits (affiliate link) look amazing, but it would be equally lovely in a solid or tonal yarn.
Why Toe-Up is Worth a Try
If you’ve only ever knit socks cuff-down, this is your invitation to step outside your comfort zone. The toe-up ankle sock pattern teaches you a new way to construct socks, and once you try it, you might find you never go back.
Being able to knit until your yarn runs out is a game-changer, especially if you’re working with special skeins where every inch counts. Plus, the fit-as-you-go approach makes it so much easier to get the perfect sock.
THIS Pattern
The pattern I’ve been talking about throughout this post is my brand-new Toe-Up Vanilla Ankle Socks, and you’ll find the free pattern at the bottom of this post. It’s the toe-up ankle sock pattern so many of you have been waiting for, and I’m thrilled to finally share it.
If you’re looking for more sock options, don’t forget that you can find all my free sock knitting patterns over on the featured pattern page.
Knitting socks will always be one of my favorite things, and this toe-up ankle sock pattern just makes me love them even more. Between the simple design, the chance to use playful yarns like Premier Yarns Fruits (affiliate link), and the flexibility of toe-up construction, it’s a win all around.
I hope you’ll give these socks a try—whether you’re knitting for yourself, your kids, or as a gift, they’re bound to become a favorite.
Toe-Up Vanilla Ankle Socks
Materials:
Yarn: 120 (180, 240), 300, 320, (380, 480) yards Premier Yarns Fruits (235y/50g)
Needles: US #1 / 2.25mm DPNs (or circular for magic loop)
Notions: stitch markers, needle
Gauge: 8sts x 11rows per inch
sizing:
baby (toddler, child,) lg child, adult S, (M, L)
Finished measurements (unstretched):
Cuff (around): 5 (5.5, 6.5) 7, 7.5, (8, 9)ins/12.5 (14, 16) 17.5, 19 (20, 22.5)cms
Foot Length (adjustable): 4 (6, 7.25), 8, 9, (10, 11.25)ins/ 10 (15, 18) 20, 22.5) 25, 28)cms
Pattern Info:
This pattern is a toe-up version of one of my most popular free sock patterns – Vanilla Ankle Socks. In this version I used a fun fruity self-striping yarn because the pattern is simple (and they were made for my 8 year old!) Premier Yarns Fruits is also a great yarn option if you can’t wear wool since it has none in it. The skills required for these are – Judy’s Magic Cast on (tutorial here), knit/purl, m1r/m1l (tutorial here), w&t, kfb (tutorial here)/pfb (tutorial here), ssk (tutorial here), k2tog (tutorial here)
Toe
Cast on using Judy’s magic cast on 16 (16, 20) 20, 20, (24, 24) sts
Round 1 – Knit around
Round 2 – k1, m1l, knit to 1 st before end of needle, m1r, k1, repeat on second needle.
Repeat the above 2 rounds for 6 (7, 8) 9, 10 (10, 12) until there are 40 (44, 52) 56, 60, (64, 72) sts on your needles. If using dpn it may be wise to separate the top of foot onto 2 needles as necessary to make working easier. The beginning of round is the start of the top of foot.
When using dpn: Needle 1 is the top of foot, needles 2&3 are the bottom of foot. I will be using this distribution of stitches for the remainder of the pattern for descriptive purposes.
Foot
Continue working in the round, keeping the top of foot in pattern, until the piece measures 2.5 (3, 3.5) 5, 6, (6.5, 7)ins/6 (7.5, 9) 12.5, 15 (16, 17.5)cms from back of heel, or 1.5 (2, 2.5) 3, 3, (3.5, 4)ins/ 4 (5, 6) 7.5, 7.5 (9, 10)cms short of desired foot length.
Gusset
Round 1 – Knit 20 (22, 26) 28, 30 (32, 36), k1, m1l, knit across to last st in the round, m1r, k1
Round 2 knit around
Repeat these 2 round until you have increased a total of 8 (9, 10) 11, 11 (12, 13) times which will give you 56 (62, 72) 78, 82 (88, 98) sts
Heel Turn
Knit across needle 1 and 2 – 38 (42, 49) 53, 56 (60, 63)sts
You will now be working back & forth, not in the round, turning at the end of each row.
Row 1 – k 5 (6, 7) 8, 9 (10, 12) sts, kfb, k1, w&t
Row 2 – purl across needle 3, p 5 (6, 7) 8, 9 (10, 12) sts on needle 2, pfb, w&t
Row 3 – Knit across needle 3, k 3 (4, 5) 6, 7 (8, 10) sts, kfb, k1, w&t
Row 4 – purl across needle 3, p 3 (4, 5) 6, 7 (8, 10) sts on needle 2, pfb, w&t
Continue in this pattern working 2 fewer sts each time until you have 1 (2, 1) 2, 3 (4, 6) sts left on each needle yet to be worked in short rows, ending after completing a purl row. You should have 20 (22, 26) 28, 30 (32, 36)sts between your short row markers.
Heel Flap
Row 1 – Knit across needle 2, knit to marker, working wraps as you go, turn,
Row 2 – sl1, purl across to marker, working wraps as you go, turn
Row 3 – [sl1, knit to 1] across to 1 sts before gap, ssk, turn
Row 4 – sl1, purl to 1 st before gap p2tog, turn
Repeat rows 3 and 4 until you have 40 (44, 52) 56, 60, (64, 72) sts total with 10 (11, 13) 14, 15 (16, 18) sts on each of needle 2 and 3, ending with a row 4.
Sl1 and knit across needle 2 and 3.
Leg
Work in stockinette for 4 (4, 4) 4, 6 (6, 6) from the top of the heel.
Cuff
Work in 1×1 rib (k1, p1) for 16 (16, 20) 20, 20 (24, 24) rounds.
Bind off using your favorite stretchy bind off. I like to use a sewn or Italian bind off. You can always add a thread of elastic in the bind off to help it from getting stretched out from repeated use.
Weave in all ends
ABBREVIATIONS
k – knit
P – purl
sm – slip maker
pm – place marker
sl – slip stitch
st – stich
sts – stitches
k2tog -knit 2 stitches together
ssk – slip next st knitwise, slip next st knitwise, place stitches back onto left needle, knit both slipped sts together
w&t – wrap and turn
kfb – knit front and back
pfb – purl front and back
m1r – Insert the left needle under the strand that runs between two stitches from back to front, then knit this strand
m1l – Insert the left needle under the strand that runs between two stitches from front to back, then knit this strand through the back loop
I’d love to hear from you! Have you knit toe-up socks before, or are you a cuff-down loyalist? Drop a comment below and let me know which camp you’re in.
Don’t forget to grab the free Toe-Up Vanilla Ankle Socks pattern at the bottom of this post, and while you’re here, check out the other free sock knitting patterns on my site.
Affiliate Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through my links—at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog and helping me continue to bring you free knitting patterns and tutorials.
The post New Free Toe-Up Ankle Sock Pattern: Toe-Up Vanilla Ankle Sock appeared first on The Knit in the Womb Blog.
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