How to Knit Perfect Adorable Baby Socks

Step-by-step Tiny Toes Baby Socks pattern for knitting perfect baby socks – guaranteed to stay on tiny feet.

Updated! 6-18month size is now available, you can find it here

Here’s why you’ll want to knit these:

1. Each pair takes only a few hours to finish, it’s a perfect last-minute baby gift.
2. Use up leftover stash yarn
3. This special design keeps little feet covered and warm, these stay on better than standard socks.
4. Improve your sock skills. A great intro if you’ve never knit a sock, or a wonderful little project to explore tips & tricks that will make your full-size human socks even better.

What you need before you begin:

1. 12-15g Fingering-weight yarn. New parents want easy-care fabrics, so make sure the yarn is washable. My favorite is a superwash wool blend. Most importantly, it should be super soft for tiny feet. -Pictured socks were knit with KnitPicks Stroll Tweed
2. 2.25mm / US 1 needles. I knit socks using 32″ (80cm) long circulars and MagicLoop technique.
3. 2 small stitch markers.
4. 1 tapestry needle.

Excited to start yet? I am! I love knitting socks of all sizes, I’ve always got at least 1 pair on the needles. So now that you’ve got everything together, let’s get to the knitting…

STEP 1 – Casting On

We want the top of these tiny socks to be extra stretchy so the socks are easy to put on and have enough stretch to wear tall or cuffed.

Cast on 32 stitches with a stretchy long-tail method. I use the Old Norwegian (aka Twisted German) cast on and have never had an issue with it.

STEP 2 – Join to Work in the Round

Split the 32 stitches evenly between the needles, 16 on the front needle, 16 on the back. To join the round seamlessly:

1. Hold the needles in you right hand, tips pointed to the left and the tail/working yarn on the needle closest to you (front needle).
2. With the working yarn, cast on 1 more stitch on the back needle (next to the 1st stitch you cast on).
3. Move the needles to your left hand and knit the first 2 stitches together. That is your 1st stitch and your join.
4. Give the tails a gentle tug now and before the next few rounds to make sure it’s snug.

STEP 3 – Knit the Leg

Each round (and needle) is: K1, *P2, K2*, K1 – repeat instructions between * *

(1st round: when you joined the round, you worked the 1st stitch, so after the K2tog join, you’ll start with the P2…)

Work 24 rounds for the leg.

STEP 4 – Make a Heel

For the heel, you’ll be working only the stitches on the back needle, the front stitches rest on the cable for now.

Row 1: Slip 1 stitch as if to purl, then purl to the end of the needle. Turn your work.

Row 2: Slip 1 stitch as if to knit, then *K1, SL1* to the last stitch and K1. Turn your work.

Repeat rows 1 & 2 a total of 6 times (12 total rows), then work 1 more row 1.

(Note: in Row 2, only the 1st stitch is slipped as if to knit, all other slip stitches are as if to purl – this method makes for a neater edge when working the gusset)

STEP 5 – Heel Turn

Row 1: Knit across until the last 5 stitches on the left needle. SSK {slip 2 stitches (one at a time) as if to knit, then knit those 2 stitches together from the right needle}. Turn your work.

Row 2: Slip 1 stitch as if to purl, then purl until only 5 stitches are left on the left needle. P2tog {Purl 2 stitches together}. Turn your work.

Row 3: SL1, K6, SSK and turn. (you are closing the gap from where you turned)

Row 4: SL1, P6, P2tog and turn.

Continue working Rows 3 & 4 until you only have 8 stitches left. Finish with knitting across the last row.

STEP 6 – Gusset Pickup

Pick up 9 stitches along the edge of the heel flap. 7 stitches from the slipped stitch edge and 2 more to close the gap where it meets the front-resting stitches. Place a stitch marker

Knit across the front stitches using the pattern from before: K1, *P2, K2,* K1. Place a stitch marker

Pick up 9 stitches along the other edge of the heel flap in the same way.

Tip: after knitting across the front, pick up 1 stitch then slide it to the left needle and place the marker, then add the stitch back. It’s easier than trying to pick up the first stitch with a marker in the way.

Knit 4 of the heel stitches. This is the middle of the heel and your temporary beginning/end of round. Reorganize your stitches on the 2 needles to be equal. Split in the middle of the heel & in the middle of the front. (that’s why we put markers on each side of the front stitches, so you can tell front/back stitches vs front/back needles – it’s just for these few rounds)

STEP 7 – Gusset Decreases

Setup Round: K4 heel stitches, K7 picked up stitches through the back loop {slide your needle behind the stitch instead of from the front and knit}, K2 that close the gap -slip marker- Knit front in pattern, -slip marker- K2, K7 through the back loop, K4.

Decrease Round: Knit until 3 stitches before marker, K2tog, K1, knit front pattern, K1, SSK, Knit to end.

Knit Round: Knit to marker, knit front pattern, knit to end.

Repeat Decrease & Knit rounds until there are 8 stitches before and after the marker. (back to the original stitch number, 16 each needle, 32 total)

STEP 8 – Foot

Reorganize the stitches so the front pattern is on the front needle and the heel is on the back needle. 16 stitches per needle. Remove the markers at this point.

Knit pattern K1, *P2, K2*, K1 on the front needle, and knit all stitches on the back needle.

Repeat for 14 rounds.

STEP 9 – Toe

Setup round: Knit 1 round, front & back needles.

Toe Decreases: SSK, Knit to last 2 stitches, K2tog – do this on both needles.

Repeat the toe decreases until there are only 8 stitches on each needle (16 total).

STEP 10 – Finishing

Cut your yarn leaving an 8-10″ tail. Thread onto tapestry needle.

Use Kitchener Stitch to close the toe neatly.

Weave in all ends.

Knit another…and another…and another!

You’ll find these a bit addictive, they are so quick and fun and absolutely adorable when complete. I bet you’ll be sorting through your yarn stash to make more and more. Whether you have a baby due to arrive in your life or not, a stash of these are great to have on hand for gifting when the moment comes. They also make a very sweet bunting… I’m thinking Christmas colors, maybe a string of them in your craftroom or above the laundry, the possibilities are limitless! Have some fun, keep calm and knit on!

If you’re looking for more baby knits… take a look at the Nap Time Onesie

Are those tiny feet growing out of the newborn size? Knit the next size up – click here for the pattern

Share with the community

I’d love to see what you make, click my Instagram link below or post your Tiny Toes Baby Socks on my Ravelry page. It’s fun and inspiring for everyone when we share what we create!

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