Sock Pretzel! by Fox & Fleece

Sock Pretzel!

Knitting
March 2026
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
8.5 stitches and 9 rows = 1 inch
in colorwork in the round. 9 stitches and 12 rows = 1 inch in stockinette in the round
US 1 - 2.25 mm
US 1½ - 2.5 mm
200 - 437 yards (183 - 400 m)
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
English
This pattern is available for $6.00 USD buy it now

This pattern includes a print guide and hand-drawn diagram/coloring sheet to help you plan your sock colors!

I wake up every morning in a bed that’s too small, drive my daughter to a school that’s too expensive, and then I go to work to a job for which I get paid too little, but on Pretzel Day? Well, I like Pretzel Day.
—Stanley Hudson, The Office (S03E05)


These socks are worked from the cuff down. Colorwork starts on the leg, and waste yarn is placed for a forethought/afterthought heel prior to starting the foot. Colorwork continues on the foot, then stitches are decreased for the toe and closed using Kitchener stitch. Waste yarn is removed and live stitches are picked back up for the heel, which is worked similarly to the toe. 

Sizing
1 (2, 3) (4, 5, 6) to fit an actual foot circumference of approx. 6 (7, 8) (9, 10, 11) in/15–16 (17–18, 20–21) (22–23, 25–26, 27–28) cm, measured around the widest part of the foot, with a finished sock circumference of approx. 5.25 (6.5, 7.75) (8.5, 9.5, 10.25) in/13 (16.5, 20) (21.5, 24, 26.5) cm. Recommended zero ease or negative ease of .25–1 in/.5–2.5 cm.

Sample is shown in Size 4 to fit a women’s US 9.5 (EU 40, UK 7.5), with a foot circumference of 9 in/22.5 cm.

Gauge
8.5 sts x 9 rows = 1 in/2.5 cm colorwork in the round, on larger needles, blocked

9 sts x 12 rows = 1 in/2.5 cm stockinette and rib in the round, on smaller needles, blocked

Materials
Yarn

You may use any fingering weight sock yarn that meets gauge. You will need approximately:
MC: 35 (45, 55) (60, 65, 70) g/153 (197, 240) (262, 284, 306) yds/140 (180, 219) (239, 260, 280) m
CC: 10 (15, 20) (20, 20, 25) g/44 (66, 87) (87, 87, 109) yds/40 (60, 80) (80, 80, 100) m

Sample shown in: Arkansas Yarn Co Yummy Plush (85/15 SW merino/nylon, 437 yds (400 m)/100 g)
MC (yellow): “Totality Worth It”
CC (rust): “Come! We Fly!”

Needles
For ribbing/stockinette: US 1/2.25 mm needle in preferred format for small-circumference knitting (e.g. DPNs, magic loop, tiny circular, etc.), or size needed to obtain gauge

For colorwork: US 1.5/2.5 mm needle in preferred format for small-circumference knitting, or size needed to obtain gauge

Notions
Stitch markers
Waste yarn in similar weight to project yarn
Scissors
Ruler/measuring tape
Tapestry needle


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