Inspired by nature, this adorable free baby socks knitting pattern is as fun to knit as it is adorable to wear!
Design Story and Inspiration for the Garden Path Baby Socks
I love designing knit sock patterns – and the baby versions are SO cute! The adult version of this pair was called Static Socks based on the name of the yarn.
That yarn has been discontinued so I used a different yarn and changed the name of these tiny socks, but they are the same stitch pattern – only smaller!
Yarn Options for This Baby Sock Knitting Pattern
You can use any fingering weight yarn that gets gauge for this pattern. I am in love with Malabrigo Ultimate Sock, so that is the yarn I chose for this baby pair (and it was a leftover bit from an adult sock pattern!).
If you don’t want to use wool for baby socks, I’d suggest a cotton yarn that has elastic. Some people also use a premium acrylic, but it tends not to breathe very well and isn’t used a lot for socks (although I do believe babies who aren’t walking yet would be okay with this option).
No matter which yarn you choose, just be sure to check your gauge against the pattern. 🙂
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Garden Path Baby Socks
What You’ll Need
Yarn: Malabrigo Ultimate Sock, 1 skein (440yds/100g)
Needles: 5 dpn, US size 2 (2.75mm)
Notions: Yarn needle, scissors, stitch marker
Style: Cuff to Toe
Finished Size: 0-3m (3-6m, 12m, 18m) with 4 (4.5, 5, 5.5” foot circumference)
Gauge: 32 sts and 40 rows = 4” (10cm) in St st
Stitch Guide
Knit (k)
Purl (p)
Slip (sl) – slip st purlwise
With Yarn in Front (wyif)
Beginning of Round (BOR)
Pattern Stitch
Rnds 1-2: *K2, p2; rep to end.
Rnds 3-4: *P1, k2, p1; rep to end.
Rnds 5-6: *P2, k2; rep to end.
Rnds 7-8: *K1, p2, k1; rep to end.
Repeat rnds 1-8 for pattern st.
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Garden Path Baby Sock Knitting Pattern
Sock Start:
Cast on 32 (36, 40, 44) sts loosely.
Divide sts on 4 dpns as follows:
N1: 8 (9, 10, 11) heel sts
N2: 8 (9, 10, 11) instep sts
N3: 8 (9, 10, 11) instep sts
N4: 8 (9, 10, 11) heel sts
Join. BOR
Cuff:
Rnd 1: Knit.
Rnd 2: (K2, p2) to end.
Work cuff for 16 rnds. [1.5” from cast on edge]
Work in pattern stitch for 16 (24, 26, 26) rnds, completing sts on N3. Stop. [3 (3.75, 4, 4)” total from the cast on edge.]
Heel Flap with Heel Stitch:
Slip N4 sts onto N1. 16 (18, 20, 22) sts
With RS facing, work back and forth on N1 as follows:
Rw 1: *Sl 1 purlwise, k1. Repeat from * to end. Turn.
Rw 2: Sl 1 purlwise, p to end. Turn.
Repeat these 2 rows until 14 (18, 24, 24) rows are complete.
Turn Heel:
Note: Sl 1 = slip 1 purlwise, turn after each row.
Rw 1: (RS) K 10 (10, 12, 12), ssk, k1.
Rw 2: (WS) Sl 1, p 5 (3, 5, 3), p2tog, p1.
Rw 3: (RS) Sl 1, k 6 (4, 6, 4), ssk, k1.
Rw 4: (WS) Sl 1, p 7 (5, 7, 5), p2tog, p1.
Size 0-3m ONLY
Rw 5: (RS) Sl 1, k 8, ssk.
Rw 6: (WS) Sl 1, p 8, p2tog.
Size 3-6m (12m) ONLY
Rw 5: Sl 1, k 6 (8), ssk, k1.
Rw 6: Sl 1, p 7 (9), p2tog, p1.
Rw 7: Sl 1, k 8 (10), ssk.
Rw 8: Sl 1, p 8 (10), p2tog.
Size 18m ONLY
Rw 5: Sl 1, k 6, ssk, k1.
Rw 6: Sl 1, p 7, p2tog, p1.
Rw 7: Sl 1, k 8, ssk, k1.
Rw 8: Sl 1, p 9, p2tog, p1.
Rw 9: Sl 1, k 10, ssk.
Rw 10: Sl 1, p 10, p2tog.
All Sizes
10 (10, 12, 12) sts remain.
Work 5 (5, 6, 6) sts. Place BOR marker.
Heel Gusset:
With a free needle, knit remaining 5 (5, 6, 6) heel sts. [N1]
Continuing with the same needle, pick up 7 (9, 12, 12) sts along the side of the heel.
Pick up and knit a st from row below the first instep st to prevent a hole. [N1: 13 (15, 19, 19) sts total]
With a free needle, work across 8 (9, 10, 11) instep sts in pattern. [N2]
With a free needle, work across 8 (9, 10, 11) instep sts in pattern. [N3]
With free needle, pick up and knit from row below the first heel st to prevent a hole.
With same needle, pick up 7 (9, 12, 12) sts along side of the heel and work across remaining heel sts. [N4: 13 (15, 19, 19) sts total] BOR
Shape Gusset:
Rnd 1: (Dec Rnd)
N1: Knit to 3 sts from end. K2tog, k1.
N2: (Instep) Work even in pattern.
N3: (Instep) Work even in pattern.
N4: K1, ssk, knit to end.
Rnd 2: Work even in established pattern.
Repeat Rnds 1 and 2 until there are 32 (36, 40, 44) sts remaining.
Foot:
Continue working in rnds in established pattern (pattern sts for instep, St st for sole sts) until foot measures 2.5 (3, 3.5, 3.75) inches from base of heel.
Complete sts on N4. BOR
Shape Toe – Classic Standard
Change to all k sts.
Rnd 1:
N1: (Sole) Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
N2: (Instep) K1, ssk, knit to end.
N3: (Instep) Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
N4: (Sole) K1, ssk, complete round.
Rnd 2: Work even.
Repeat Rnds 1 and 2 until 24 (28, 28, 32) total sts remain.
Work decrease rnd only until 16 sts remain. [8 instep sts, 8 sole sts]
Finishing
Work sts on N1. Slip sts from N4 to opposite end of N1.
Slip sts from N3 onto N2.
Holding two needles together, graft sts using Kitchener Stitch.
Weave in ends.
Work second sock.
Final Thoughts on Our Baby Sock Knitting Pattern
I hope you enjoy this fun little baby sock as much as I enjoyed designing it! As always, my sock designs are knit by my friend Amanda, who does an amazing job!! 😀
Happy Knitting!
Amanda
