This master class shows how to knit children’s openwork knee-high socks: take the measurements, calculate the stitch count from your gauge, knit the ribbing and lace section in the round, work a French heel with short rows, knit the foot, and shape the toe with decreases.
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Translated
Things you will learn
The calculation uses the leg circumference below the knee, the knee-high length, the foot length, and your knitting gauge.
In the example, the leg circumference is 19.5 cm and the gauge is 3 stitches per 1 cm; after subtracting stitches for fit, 48 stitches are cast on.
The ribbing in the example is knitted for 3 cm on double-pointed needles.
A French heel worked with short rows suits lightweight openwork summer socks.
The same method can be used for regular socks if you measure at the height where the cuff will sit.
Children’s openwork knee-high socks
The result is a pair of children’s openwork knee-high socks knitted on double-pointed needles. You can recalculate the sock height and foot length for the child’s exact size.
Materials and tools
Materials
Yarn for children’s knee-high socks, The source does not specify fiber content or yardage; colored yarn or white yarn both work for lightweight spring and summer socks.
Tools
Double-pointed knitting needles, For knitting the sock leg and foot in the round.
Measuring tape, For measuring leg circumference, sock height, and foot length.
Yarn needle, For pulling the yarn through the final stitches and hiding the end on the wrong side.
Preparation
Take the measurements
Measure the leg circumference below the knee, the length from the top edge of the sock to the ankle bone, and the foot length. Also check your knitting gauge with the yarn and needles you plan to use.
Calculate the cast-on
In the example, the leg circumference is 19.5 cm and the gauge is 3 stitches per 1 cm: 19.5 × 3 = 58.5. To keep the sock from slipping down, the author subtracts 10 stitches for negative ease and casts on 48 stitches. Check the repeat of your lace pattern and adjust the stitch count if needed.
Knit the ribbing and lace leg
Start the knee-high sock at the top and knit in the round on double-pointed needles.
Cast on
Cast on 48 stitches, or your own calculated number, on double-pointed needles and knit 3 cm of ribbing.
Switch to the lace pattern
Continue with your chosen lace pattern in the round. Knee-high socks and regular socks are not worked back and forth, so every round is read as a right-side round.
Read the chart correctly
If the chart was written for flat knitting, convert the wrong-side rows for circular knitting: stitches shown for wrong-side rows need to be worked in the opposite way.
Knit to the required height
The lace section height equals the total knee-high length from the top edge to the ankle bone minus the ribbing height.
Work the French heel
For lightweight openwork socks, the author uses a French heel shaped with short rows.
Set aside half the stitches for the heel
Knit the 24 stitches on the first two needles. Leave the stitches on the third and fourth needles out of work for now.
Start the short rows
Row 1: knit 23 stitches and leave the last stitch unworked on the left needle. Row 2: slip the first stitch, purl 22 stitches, and leave the last stitch on the left needle.
Shape the first half of the heel
Continue working short rows for 20 rows, until 4 stitches remain on the needle.
Bring the stitches back into work
Work the second half of the heel, bringing 1 stitch back into work on each row until there are 24 stitches on the needle again.
Knit the foot and toe
After the heel, distribute the stitches on four needles again and continue the foot.
Divide the heel stitches
Divide the 24 heel stitches onto two needles again, 12 stitches on each, and begin knitting the foot.
Knit the foot length
Knit the stitches on needles 1 and 2, where the heel is, in stockinette. Continue the pattern on needles 3 and 4. The foot length equals the foot measurement minus the toe section, about 2–3 cm.
Shape the toe
For the toe shaping, knit 2 stitches together at the beginning of the round on needles 1 and 3 and at the end of the round on needles 2 and 4. Work all rounds as knit rounds.
Close the final stitches
Pull the yarn through the last 4 stitches, cut it, and hide the end on the wrong side.
Knit the second sock
Knit the second knee-high sock the same way, using the same calculations and section heights.
Finish and variations
Finish
Final check
Check that the second sock follows the same calculation, the toe is closed neatly, and all yarn ends are hidden on the wrong side.
Variations
Regular socks instead of knee-high socks
You can use the same method for regular socks: take the circumference measurement at the height where the cuff will sit, not below the knee.
Colored or white socks
The source suggests using colored yarn or white yarn for a more festive look.
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