This Free Sock Knitting Pattern is a Great Intro to Magic Loop

I like knitting socks and other small things using the magic loop method, where one long circular knitting needle holds all the stitches. It’s less fiddly and feels like it goes faster than knitting on double-pointed needles or even two circulars, but there can be a bit of a learning curve involved.

Summer Lee recently released the I’m So Basic Socks pattern, which serves as a tutorial for magic loop knitting as well as a great free knitting pattern for basic socks you can change up however you like. She has a contrasting cuff, heel and toe, which is a classic, but you can also throw in stripes, stick a stitch pattern in there, whatever you like.

The basic pattern uses sock yarn and offers four sizes, from 7 inches around to 10 inches around. They’re worked from the top down and there is a video tutorial as well as words and pictures, so no matter how you learn this pattern should be a good introduction to socks and magic loop knitting.

It’s available on Ravelry.

[Photo: Summer Lee.]

Looking for more Sock patterns? Check these out on Etsy.

Next Pattern:

Adding eyelets to a project is a great way to make it more wearable in the summer, and these mesh and eyelet sweater patterns are perfect for summer (and beyond!) for layering.

The Inez Summer Sweater from Happy Love Co combines eyelets and dropped stitches (along with some garter and stockinette) to make a casual and fun summer sweater. The pattern is one size (56 inches or 142.24 cm) around, and is meant to be worn oversized. But it’s an easy enough pattern you could alter it to suit you without too much difficulty. It calls for worsted weight cotton yarn.

Another fun project using dropped stitches in the Stella Blouse from Thelma Steimann. It calls for a fingering weight silk yarn and is worked on larger than expected needles and also uses dropped stitches. The pattern includes eight sizes, with a bust circumference ranging from 33.5 to 51.5 inches, or 85-131 cm. You can grab a copy on Ravelry.

The Design Studio Knits has a nice summer cotton tee that uses worsted weight yarn worked on larger needles so it has a mesh effect while still being worked in stockinette stitch. It’s worked in one piece and is another one size pattern, meant to fit an actual chest measurement ranging from 34 to 46 inches (that’s 86 to 117 cm).

A similar look with a cropped shape and four available sizes comes from A Box of Twine. This one is a DK weight yarn knit on large needles and still has an oversized look (for instance the size small is 42 inches/106.68 cm at the bust). It’s worked flat so this is a great one for beginners.

If you want something a little more structured, try the Pip Cardigan from Yoko Johnston. This sport weight cardigan has an allover eyelet pattern and options to close with a zipper or buttons. It’s worked from the top down and has six size options. This one is also oversized, with finished measurements ranging from 51.5 to 64.5 inches, or 131 to 164 cm). You can find this one on Ravelry.

Or check out Endlessly by Amy Gunderson, a free pattern from Knitty. This pullover uses a cable and lace pattern that is easy to knit and to wear. It uses DK weight yarn and has nine size options. The chest measurement ranges from 34.75 to 66.75 inches, or 88.5 to 169.5 cm, and is meant to be worn with a little positive ease.

Next Pattern:

Have you read?