Cozy up with this easy pair of handknit socks using a mock cable pattern!

Design Story and Inspiration for This Knit Sock Pattern

It’s that time of year again where I design for my annual Holiday Maker’s Challenge!! This is the 7th year that I have done the challenge, and I’m excited to be doing it again!

I designed this pattern as part of the 2025 Holiday Maker’s Challenge, where we encourage each other to work to our holiday deadline. There are a few criteria for our patterns in the challenge, which are:

1. Uses stash yarn

2. Is easy to intermediate

3. Is small so it doesn’t take a long time to make

4. Is well received by gift recipients

This pattern fits the bill because socks use only one skein of fingering weight yarn, this is a mock cable so no cable needle, they are small and well received!

Yarn Options for Knitted Socks

For this pattern, I used Malabrigo Ultimate Sock, one of my favorite sock yarns! It’s a fingering weight yarn (category #1) and is a very common sock yarn.

You can use any fingering weight yarn in your stash that gets gauge.

This pattern uses less than a skein, so grab some stash yarn and get busting!

Pattern Details for this Sock Knitting Pattern

This pattern is knit from the cuff down, as are all my sock patterns so far. The mock cable is created using a slip stitch and passing the stitch over. I am not a fan of using a cable needle unless I have to, so the effect this gives is wonderful for me!

I’ve also used this mock cable technique in:
Mock Cable Hat
Mock Cable Mittens
Mock Cable Baby Socks

Mock Cable 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

Gauge: 32 sts and 40 rows = 4” (10cm) in St st

Finished Sizes: Small (Large), 7 (7.75) inch circumference to fit shoe size 4-8 (9-11)

Stitch Guide

Knit (k)

Purl (p)

Mock Cable (MC) – Sl 1, k2, pass sl st over k2.

BOR – beginning of round

Pattern Stitch

Preparation row: *P1, k3; rep from * around.

Rnd 1: *P1, MC; rep from * to end.

Rnd 2: *P1, k1, yo, k1; rep from * around.

Rnds 3-4: *P1, k3; rep from * around.

Rnd 5: Rep rnd 1.

Rnd 6: Rep rnd 2.

Repeat rnds 1-6 for pattern st.

Mock Cable Sock Pattern

Cast on 56 (64) sts loosely.

Divide sts on 4 dpns as follows:

N1: 14 (16) heel sts

N2: 14 (16) instep sts 

N3: 14 (16) instep sts

N4: 14 (16) heel sts

Join. BOR

Cuff

Work in k2, p2 rib for 1.50″ from cast on edge.  End at BOR.

Leg

Work in stitch pattern until 7.5 (8)” from cast on edge. Complete sts on N3. Stop.

Heel Flap with Heel Stitch

Slip N4 sts onto N1. 28 (32) sts

With RS facing,work back and forth 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 28 (32) rows are complete. 

Turn Heel

Note: Sl 1 = slip 1 purlwise

Rw 1: (RS) k 18 (21), ssk. Turn.

Rw 2: (WS) Sl 1, p 8 (10), p2tog. Turn.

Rw 3: (RS) Sl 1, k 8 (10), ssk. Turn.

Rw 4: (WS) Sl 1, p 8 (10), p2tog. Turn.

Rows 5-18: Repeat rows 3-4.

Size Large ONLY

Rw 19: (RS) Sl 1, k 10, ssk. Turn.

Rw 20: (WS) Sl 1, p 10, p2tog. Turn.

All Sizes

10 (12) sts remain.

Work 5 (6) sts. BOR

Heel Gusset

With a free needle, knit remaining 5 (6) heel sts. [N1]

Continuing with the same needle, pick up 14 (16) 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: 20 (23) sts total]

With a free needle, work across 14 (16) instep sts. [N2]

With a free needle, work across 14 (16) instep sts. [N3]

With free needle, pick up and knit from row below the first heel st to prevent a hole.

With same needle, pick up 14 (16) sts along side of the heel and work across remaining heel sts. [N4: 20 (23) sts total] BOR

Shape Gusset

Rnd 1: (Dec Rnd)

N1: Knit to 3 sts from end. K2tog, k1.

N2: (Instep) Work even, maintaining pattern.

N3: (Instep) Work even, maintaining pattern.

N4: K1, ssk, knit to end. 

Rnd 2: Work even, maintaining pattern as established.

Repeat Rnds 1 and 2 until there are 56 (64) sts remaining.

Foot

Continue working in rnds working top of foot in pattern stitch and sole (heel sts from beg of pattern) in Stockinette st until foot measures  7.5 (8.25)” from base of heel.

Complete sts on N4. BOR

Shape Toe 

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 36 (40) 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 the Mock Cable Socks Pattern

I hope you enjoy this pattern as much as I enjoyed designing it!!

Join me for our seventh annual holiday challenge – but only until December 25!

Happy Knitting!
Amanda