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Perfect Fit Socks in Fine Print
The saying might be “fits like a glove,” but knitters know that the snug cuddle of a well-fitting sock is even more satisfying. Enter our Perfect Fit Socks in Fine Print, a classic Purl Soho pattern that we’ve updated so you can knit a pair (or several) in our super fun printed sock yarn!
The key to that just-right fit is lots of 2×2 ribbing to hug every contour of your calf, ankle, and foot with the perfect amount of stretch. You can also easily adjust the foot length so that’s exactly right, too!
Details like a cushy slip-stitch heel flap and a grafted toe (rather than sewn) make the Perfect Fit Socks comfy without adding unnecessary complexity. These simple top-down socks can be your first foray into knitted footwear, no problem!
Yarn choice is key to making socks that fit and last. Our Fine Print is a fine fingering-weight sock yarn made of 75% superwash wool and 25% nylon in a sturdy 4-ply structure. Elastic and durable, your socks will stretch but also spring back into shape, and, although incredibly soft, they will be tough enough to last through daily wear and many trips through the washer and dryer.
Fine Print’s marbled, hand-printed color reads like a soft watercolor painting, and in a palette of fruity, fun colors, you’ll enjoy those moments of high saturation, low saturation, and everything in between as you knit.
This pattern is a perfect fit for the whole family, with sizes from small kids to big adults. You’ll need just one or two 50-gram balls of Fine Print depending on the size you choose!
Cast on for a pair of Perfect Fit Socks in Fine Print and find out how perfect they are!
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!
Pattern designed and written by Purl Soho designer, Whitney Van Nes.
Story written by Andrea Lotz for Purl Soho.
Materials
- 1 (2, 2, 2) ball(s) of Purl Soho’s Fine Print, 75% superwash merino and 25% nylon. Each ball of this fingering-weight yarn is 218 yards/ 50 grams; approximately 170 (295, 370, 435) total yards required. We used the colors Orange Poppy and Bright Violet.
- A set of US ½ (2.25 mm) double pointed needles OR US ½, 32-inch circular knitting needles for Magic Loop
- A stitch marker
NOTE If making the Adult Medium/Large size in a long foot length, you may require a third ball of Fine Print.
GAUGE
38 stitches and 48 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
SIZES
Small Kid (Big Kid, Adult Small/Medium, Adult Medium/Large)
- Finished Foot Circumference: Comfortably stretches to about 5½ (7, 8, 9) inches
- Finished Leg Circumference: Comfortably stretches to about 6½ (8½, 10, 11) inches
- Finished Foot Length: Adjustable
Samples: We knit one pair of socks in the Big Kid size, and one pair in the Adult Small/Medium size.
Pattern
The Perfect Fit Socks Pattern is available for purchase as a PDF download only.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho. We can’t wait to see what you make!
LEARN ABOUT FINE PRINT + ALL OUR BEAUTIFUL YARNS
Fine Print is the perfect yarn for this project, a classic 75% superwash wool + 25% nylon fingering-weight yarn that is springy, durable, and super soft. Each stitch is a joyful little surprise, with colorful dye printed onto the warm white base for a marbled fabric of incredible depth. 50-gram balls of this classic sock yarn give you creative license to mix, match, contrast, harmonize, and play!
More Knitting Patterns
- Be sure to explore our collection of (mostly free!) Fine Print knitting patterns and cast on!
More Fingering-Weight Yarns
- Shop our entire collection of fingering-weight yarns (What does fingering-weight yarn mean, really? Our guide to fingering-weight yarn will answer your questions and more!)
- If you want to use a different yarn, be sure to take the time to get the correct gauge. Need help? Check our All About Gauge Tutorial and our Yarn Substitution article for lots of helpful information.
More Yarns With Similar Fibers
- Shop superwash wool yarn
- Shop machine washable yarn
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our knitting patterns (including tons of 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!
Hello, is it possible to knit these on two single point needles? I’m terrible at DPNs and a circular is too small for the small child size.
Hi Jenny,
I’m afraid that this pattern is knit in the round, so you won’t be able to use straight needles! However, there’s a wonderful technique that I’d recommend for anyone who wants to avoid using DPNs, and that’s the magic loop. Magic loop is a great way to easily knit around very small circumferences without needing DPNs at all!
All the best,
Lili
I’m working on a pair of these socks now and it’s been so fun – but I’ve got a conundrum. I’ve been using the magic loop method and I’m at the point of making the toe and I no longer have my stitches divided into the three needles. oops. I’m making the pair with a total of 68 stitches at this juncture. Would anyone be able to tell me how those stitches should be divided up? I’ve got the k2p2 stitches on one needle and the regular stockinette stitches on the other. Thanks a bunch.
Hi Amelia,
It sounds like you are right on track and can now decrease at either side of the sock to finish your toe! Since you have half the stitches on each needle, you can just continue to decrease 1 stitch from each end. I hope this helps!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
Hi there!
I’m at the heel flap portion of this project and am on the section where we ‘Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 ten (14, 16, 18) more times. Does this mean work 16 more rows (18 total rows for the Adult S/M or 36 rows? Trying to figure out if its repeating the set of rows 16 times or doing 16 more rows total. appreciate your help!
Hi Hayley!
Thanks for reaching out! It does mean working 36 rows total, yes. All of the slipped stitches in this section creates a little more cushion for the back of the heel but also shrinks up these rows. That is why it seems like a lot of rows!
All the best,
Andrea
I am on the section “Turn the Heel.” I have done rows one and two, and have 14 stitches on the R and 22 stitches on the L needle. I do not see what I supposed to do for Row 3! The yarn I am using to make stitches is already at “the gap.” How can I knit to 1 stitch before the gap”?
Hi Deborah,
Thank you for reaching out! I think your stitch counts sound perfect and you are right where you need to be for this step in the pattern! At the start of Row 3, you will first slip 1 stitch purl-wise from your left hand needle to your right hand needle. This is the stitch that the working yarn is coming out of, so by slipping it to your right hand needle, it is now in position for you to knit to 1 stitch before the gap! Then, you will do a SSK (slip slip knit) with that 1 stitch before the gap and the stitch right after it, knit 1, and then turn your work. The SSK helps increase the stitches at the heel turn so at the end of this process, you’ll have knit a small triangular pocket which fits around the heel neatly!
I hope this helps, and please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected] if you have any questions or would like to discuss your project more in-depth. We are always happy to assist!
Kindly,
Cat
I love this pattern, but need a looser cast-on method than the long-tail cast-on I used for my first version. Is there a stretchy cast-on method you’d recommend for this pattern?
Thank you!
Hi JoAnna!
Thank you for your question! If you’re looking for a stretchier alternative to the long-tail cast on, I’d definitely recommend the German Twisted Cast On. It has a similar look but offers more elasticity, which is great for edges that need a little extra give.
Happy knitting!
Megan