I love knitting socks of all kinds – from the very simple to the very complex. When I need something basic, I cast on a pair of ribbed socks in a colourway that pleases me. Ribbing is no more difficult than plain stockinette and can likewise be used with solid or multi-coloured sock yarns of any kind, but adds extra snugness in the fit. It also requires the tiniest bit more attention while knitting, which can help prevent boredom.

Although I’ve used STR lightweight here, feel free to substitute your choice of fingering weight yarn! Something that works well at 8 sts/inch is best.

This is a basic, cuff-down, 3x1 ribbed sock pattern with a flap heel and gussets. It is written for fingering-weight yarn for one size of 64 sts around, to fit foot/ankle circumference of 8-9 inches. To accommodate smaller or larger foot sizes, decrease or increase the number of cast-on stitches by a multiple of 4.