Soft + Silky Baby Socks
Our Soft + Silky Baby Socks may be teeny tiny, but their cuteness is ginormous… Almost as big as our love for those little footsies they will cover. And in our new, 100% mulberry silk Furl, they’re as special, too!
Knit from itty-bitty toe up, these clever little socks use double knitting, a simple slip stitch technique that has you work the toe in two layers at once then redistribute the stitches to separate the layers, and voilà, you’re ready for the heel!
After knitting the heel flat, you use a three-needle bind off to close it up, then you pick up stitches to work the cuff in the round. So small, it all happens in a flash, and you’re on to the next sock in no time!
Using our new Furl for these sweeties makes the knitting even more fun. Furl is 100% mulberry silk, a kind of silk that is renowned for its beauty, strength, and superior quality, all evident in Furl’s remarkable sheen… Just look at that dazzling little ball of Cadmium Chartreuse!
You can find all ten of Furl’s glowing colors above, from cool, dark Juniper Blue to bright, poppy Rhubarb Pink.
Each and every color shines in Furl’s exuberant bouclé loops. These fluffy fibers woven along central threads create a curly textured surface, soft as a newborn baby’s skin and sweet as a little baby’s coo!
Choose from two Soft + Silky Baby Sock sizes to cover those tiny tootsies from day one to six months old. You’ll need just one charming ball of Furl to knit five pairs of socks!
Pick one color, or a whole palette so you can knit a soft and silky bundle for the little bundle of joy you love!
Yarn lovers, if you adore the yarn used in this project, you’ll love exploring all of our other yarn collections! Discover over 45 thoughtfully designed yarns in nearly every natural fiber and in every spectacular color you can imagine. Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn store, where every skein is created with care and your creativity in mind!
Originally designed by Purl Soho founder, Joelle Hoverson, and included in her book, Last Minute Knitted Gifts, under the name Angora Baby Booties. This updated version comes from Purl Soho designer, Hiromi Glover. Click here to see even more of Hiromi’s work!
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoSoftAndSilkyBabySocks, and #PurlSohoFurl. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 1 ball of Purl Soho’s Furl, 100% mulberry silk yarn. Each ball of this fingering-weight yarn is approximately 274 yards/ 50 grams; approximately 55 yards required per pair. We knit a pair in every color of Furl!
- A set of US 1 (2.25 mm) double pointed needles
- A stitch marker
NOTE: This is enough yarn to make up to 5 pairs of Baby Socks!
GAUGE
32 stitches and 52 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
SIZES
0–3 Months (3–6 Months)
- Finished Foot Circumference: 4¼ inches
- Finished Foot Length: 3½ (4) inches
- Finished Height from Heel to Top of Ribbed Cuff: 2¼ inches
NOTES
Construction
You will use double knitting to work the Toe in two layers at once. Next, you will redistribute the stitches to separate the Toe into two individual layers, then turn the piece inside out to work the Heel flat. You’ll close the back of the Heel using a 3-Needle Bind Off, then pick up stitches along the selvages and join for working the Cuff in the round to the end.
SLIP STITCHES
Slip all slipped stitches purlwise.
PATTERN
TOE
Cast on 32 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Row 1: *Knit 1, slip 1 with yarn in back (wyib), repeat from * to last 2 stitches, k1, slip 1 with yarn in front (wyif).
Repeat Row 1 until piece measures 2 (2½) inches from cast on edge, ending with an odd number of rows.
Next Row: *Knit 1, slip 1 wyib, repeat from * to end of row.
FOOT
Redistribute stitches to separate Toe into two individual layers. Here’s how…
Holding two double-pointed needles parallel to each other in your right hand and needle with Toe stitches in your left hand, *slip first stitch from left needle onto back right needle, slip next stitch on left needle onto front right needle, repeat from * until you have slipped all stitches onto the two double-pointed needles in your right hand. Separate needles slightly to make sure Toe is open and stitches have been divided into their individual layers, with reverse stockinette sides facing outwards.
Turn piece inside out so right (stockinette) side is now facing you. [16 stitches on each needle]
HEEL
Hold piece with needles parallel so working yarn is coming from right-most stitch on back needle, ready to work front needle stitches.
Using an empty needle (now called Needle A), knit 8 stitches from front needle; with another empty needle (now called Needle B), knit remaining 8 stitches from front needle and 4 stitches from back needle; with another empty needle (now called Needle C), knit 8 stitches from back needle; slip remaining 4 stitches from back needle onto Needle A. [12 stitches each on Needles A and B; 8 stitches on Needle C]
NOTE: You will now work back and forth in rows on Needles A and B only.
Row 1 (right side): Knit across Needles A and B, turn work.
Row 2 (wrong side): Purl across Needles B and A, turn work.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 seven more times, then repeat Row 1 one more time.
Next Row (wrong side): Purl across Needle B.
Fold Needle A and Needle B right sides together (wrong sides facing you) and work a 3-Needle Bind Off across the stitches. [1 stitch remains at back of Heel]
LEG
NOTE: You will now join in the round for one round only.
Turn Heel inside out so right side is facing you. The needle holding the remaining Heel stitch is called Needle B.
Set-Up Round: For Needle B, pick up and knit 12 stitches along Heel selvage; for Needle C, knit; with a new needle (now called Needle A), pick up and knit 13 stitches along other side of Heel selvage. [34 stitches total: 13 stitches each on Needles A and B, 8 stitches on Needle C]
NOTE: You will now continue back and forth in rows on Needles A and B only.
Row 1 (partial row): Knit across Needle B, turn work.
Row 2 (wrong side): Purl across Needles B and A, turn work.
Row 3 (right side): Knit across Needles A and B, turn work.
Row 4: Repeat Row 2.
Row 5 (partial row): Knit across Needle A.
CUFF
NOTE: You will work the Cuff in the round.
Set-Up Round: For Needle B, knit to last stitch, knit 2 together (k2tog) with first stitch on Needle C; for Needle C, knit to last stitch, k2tog with first stitch on Needle A; for Needle A, knit to end of needle, place marker for end of round. [32 stitches remain]
Round 1: *K1, p1, repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat Round 1 for ½ inch, until piece measures 2¼ inches from bottom of sole, or until desired length.
Bind off in pattern loosely.
FINISHING
Weave in all ends, and make another sock.
Gently wet block.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
These are so adorable!!! I was wondering if you have a uk /European agent as the postage on a single ball is more than the price of the yarn .
Hi Margaret,
Thanks for reaching out, and I’m glad to hear that this pattern has caught your eye! I’m afraid that we are only selling our yarn through our own website, so it’s not available through any other stores. I completely understand that international shipping fees are really expensive though. Please know the current prices we offer are the very best we could negotiate with our shipping partners right now, and we are always looking for ways to make our shipping options less expensive!
Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts. We really appreciate your feedback and take it very much to heart!
All the best,
Lili
I would love to be able to make these cute booties for someone who is about to have a baby, but have a hard time figuring out how to knit them with written instructions. I’ve never attempted socks before and haven’t knit anything in a long time. Is there any way that you can make a video on how to make these?
Hi JoAnne,
Thanks for reaching out. I’m afraid that we do not have the time and resources to make a video tutorial on this entire pattern. I’d recommend instead taking a look at our Reading A Knitting Pattern tutorial to get a sense of how to follow this pattern! You’re also welcome to reach out to us either here or by sending an email to [email protected] if you have any specific questions on how to interpret something.
All the best,
Lili
These are precious!! Right now I don’t have babies. I think they would make wonderful sleep socks for adults to keep our big tootsies warm
Is there a way to knit this using two circular needles instead of three dpns? Perhaps I could place a marker where the next dpn would be ? I struggle with dpns for some reason and don’t want to purchase them just for this pattern. I finally have a granddaughter coming after three boys and am anxious to knit these up!
Hi Jamie,
I think that’s a great idea! You can definitely use two circular needles (or one longer one with magic loop!) for this pattern and place a marker where the DPNs would have started and ended.
All the best,
Lili
These are adorable. Is it possible to use the two at a time method with magic loop for these socks. That is my preferred method to ensure the socks match and there is no second sick syndrome.
Hi Blair,
Thanks for reaching out! These socks actually begin knit flat (using double knitting!), but once you reach the cuff you could absolutely use two at a time magic loop. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Suggestions for finishing off last stitch in binding off. I usually pull the yarn through and tighten but with this boucle the yarn started to shred. Love the bootie but the yarn is a challenge
Hi Jayne,
Thanks for reaching out! I would still recommend pulling the yarn through and tightening, but you may want to go slightly slower than normal through that step to make sure the yarn stays in tact. If you make sure that the loop doesn’t touch the yarn on the way down, you can guide it to the base of the working yarn and tighten it all the way there. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
ciao, ho visto queste bellissime scarpine e mi piacerebbe lavorarle ma non ho molta esperienza.
ti volevo chiedere: nella prima parte ferro 1 e successivi, le maglie vanno sempre lavorate a diritto?
grazie se potrai rispondermi
Stefania
Hi Stefania,
Thanks for writing in! In order to achieve the stockinette stitch pattern, you will need to knit every other stitch (and slip the ones in between) for the TOE section. This creates the stockinette double-knit fabric, which you will then separate to continue the sock.
All the best,
Lili
Could I use posy or coorie yarn for these socks?
Hi Chantal,
Thanks so much for writing in! Posy would work for this project since it’s a fingering weight yarn like Furl. I think Coorie would be too thick since it’s a sport weight. I recommend doing a gauge swatch for any yarn substitutions to make sure your gauge is consistent with the pattern. You might find that you need to adjust your needle size! Here’s our guide on swatching if you’d like more information: All About Gauge.
Hope this helps!
All the best,
Cat
I love the look of these, and the different techniques I have not tried before. I have just finished the first sock, however my sock toe is very square in comparison to the photos shown. I thought I had followed the directions as written, and loved trying the techniques – such a good learning experience, but any suggestions to get the more rounded toe as shown in your photos?
Thank you so much, love your site and fabulous tutorials.
Jan
Hi Jan,
Thanks for reaching out! The toes on these socks are actually completely square. We just rounded them out while blocking, and they kept the shape afterwards!
All the best,
Lili
Hi. Information on pattern says you have 2 sizes, 0-3 months and 3-6 months. In the directions you only have one set of numbers. Which size are the directions written for??
Thanks, Debby
Hi Debby,
Thanks for reaching out! The only place where the two sizes differ is in the foot length. That means that the only different instruction in the pattern is as follows:
Repeat Row 1 until piece measures 2 (2½) inches from cast on edge, ending with an odd number of rows.
For the 0-3 month size, you will knit until the foot measures 2 inches from cast-on, and for the 3-6 month size, you will knit until it measures 2.5 inches from cast-on. The rest of the pattern is identical!
I hope this helps clarify things.
All the best,
Lili
Would like to know what you mean by double knitting and also I have this yarn (spirit glitter) can I use it for this project.
Hi Janet,
This pattern uses a form of double knitting for the toe section of this pattern. This means you will be actually knitting two layers at once! I hope this helps but please let me know if you have any questions.
All the best,
Gavriella