A fellow blogger asked about my sock pattern, so here it is.

First of all, I use a long circular needle (approximately 32.5″ from tip to tip) and the Magic Loop Method to knit in the round.  It also helps to have a cardboard template of the sock recipient’s foot.

To begin, I use Judy’s Magic Cast-On and cast on 10, 12, or 14 stitches on each needle, depending on the thickness of the yarn and the size of the sock I want to make.  I wear a US size 8.5 shoe, so I usually cast 12 stitches on each needle for my own foot.  Next, I knit across the stitches on each needle once.

Round 2:  Needle 1: K1, M1, knit until the last 2 stitches, M1, K1.  Needle 2: K1, M1, knit until the last 2 stitches, M1, K1.

Round 3:  Knit across both needles without increasing.

Repeat Round 2 and 3 until you have a total of 24, 28, 32, or 36 stitches on each needle, depending on how wide you want the sock to be and keeping in mind how much the yarn will stretch.  If the sock is for my mom’s kid-size feet, I stop at 24 stitches on each needle.  If the sock is for me, I might stop at 24 or 28.  Again, it really depends on how wide I want the sock to be.

Once I’ve determined that I’ve got enough stitches, I stop increasing and start knitting in the round to work the foot of the sock.

You can have the recipient try it on for size.

Or you can use your cardboard template.

Now that I use the Fish Lips Kiss Heel, I just keep knitting until I get to the point where I want to start the heel.  (You can find the pattern by searching for it online.)

I follow the directions, finish the heel, and then start knitting the cuff.

Usually, I’ll knit 2, purl 2, and repeat for ribbing.  I prefer my socks to be crew length, so I just keep knitting until I think it’s time to bind off.

And that’s it!  Hopefully I’ve explained it fairly clearly.  Let me know if I need to clarify anything.

P.S.  Amazingly, all these photos are from different pairs of socks that I knit this year.  I guess I need to go update my completed projects page.