Sometimes I want to knit socks that are mostly plain, but with the tiniest bit of interest. That was what I wanted to do when I decided to knit socks for my partner’s birthday out of some lightly variegated yarn I had purchased with him in mind.

I stuck a simple cable on my free basic sock pattern. I lined it up so the ribbing of the cuff flows smoothly into it. I mirrored it for the second sock.

I decided to publish these as a free pattern in case you, too, want a simple pair of socks with just a tiny bit of interest and absolutely no thinking required.

This pattern works great for speckled or variegated yarn because there is no complex design for the dye job to obscure.

It is worked from the cuff down, comes in two adult sizes, and features a traditional slipped-stitch heel flap and gusset.

This pattern is available for free on my blog. A PDF version is not available, but you may feel free to print it from my blog!

Yarn
400yd / 100g of fingering weight yarn.

Gauge
8.5 stitches and 12 rows per inch in Stockinette stitch.

Needles
US 1 / 2.25mm circular needles or set of DPNs (or size needed to obtain gauge).

Notions
Cable needle (optional), stitch markers, tape measure, tapestry needle.

Finished Measurements
Medium (Large): 7.5 (8.5)” foot and leg circumference.
Length and height are adjustable.

Choose a size that will fit with about 1” of negative ease.