Easy Heel Colorblock Socks in Fine Print
It’s all in the name… Our Easy Heel Colorblock Socks are a no-stress way to dive into sock knitting, thanks to a clever heel construction that skips the fuss of short rows, heel flaps, and gussets! Enjoy a new version of this beloved knitting pattern, now in our merino and nylon Fine Print sock yarn, bringing fun hand-printed color to every stitch.

Build your perfect pair of socks: choose your sock height (ankle, crew, or mid-calf), your construction (toe-up or top-down), your size (little kid to big adult), and your colors!

And yes, this pattern is genuinely easy. If you can knit in the round and work a few basic increases or decreases (or are game to learn with help from our awesome tutorials!), you’ve got what it takes.

Here’s the easy but mind-blowing method: You knit a tube, starting either from the toe or the cuff. When you reach the heel, simply knit back and forth over half your stitches using scrap yarn as a placeholder. Once the rest of the sock is complete, you remove the scrap yarn, pick up the live stitches, and shape the heel in the round… No heel flap, no turning heels, no sweat!

This version of the pattern is made especially for our Fine Print yarn, our super soft and durable machine-washable sock yarn made with 75% superwash wool and 25% nylon. Each ball is hand-printed, with moments of high saturation, low saturation, and everything in between, so even the simplest sock feels fun and fresh!


Pick two (or more!) from Fine Print’s palette of uplifting colors… The 50-gram yarn balls let you mix, match, contrast, harmonize, and, most importantly, play!

Whether you’re brand new to sock knitting or just looking for a customizable pattern that’s all smooth sailing, our Easy Heel Colorblock Socks in Fine Print pattern offers a joyful, low-stress way to make socks that truly fit you, your style, and your knitting comfort zone!
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 designer, Jake Canton. Click here to see even more of Jake’s designs on his website!
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Want to print this pattern? On desktop, find the “print” icon in the right margin, and on mobile, scroll to the end of the pattern for it. Use the on-screen instructions to remove anything you don’t want to print!
Materials

Purl Soho’s Fine Print, 75% superwash wool and 25% nylon. Each ball of this fingering-weight yarn is 218 yards/ 50 grams.
- ANKLE VERSION
- Main Color: 1 (1, 1, 1, 1-2) ball(s); approximately 105-120 (140-160, 160-180, 180-210, 210-240) total yards required, depending on foot length. We used Gray Patina.
- Contrast Color: 1 ball; approximately 75 (100, 105, 145, 175) total yards required. We used Sunflower Yellow.
- CREW VERSION
- Main Color: 1 (1, 1, 2, 2) ball(s); approximately 105-120 (150–180, 200-215, 250-265, 325-340) total yards required, depending on foot length. We used Bright Turquoise.
- Contrast Color: 1 (1, 1, 1, 2) ball(s); approximately 110 (145, 165, 195, 235) total yards required. We used the color Candy Apple.
- MID-CALF VERSION
- Main Color: 1 (1-2, 2, 2, 2) ball(s); approximately 150–160 (210–235, 250–275, 290–320, 365–395) total yards required, depending on foot length. We used Heirloom White.
- Contrast Color: 1 (1, 1, 1, 2) ball (s); approximately 125 (155, 175, 215, 255) total yards required. We used the color Peacock Feather.
You will also need…
- US ½ (2.25 mm), 32-inch or longer circular knitting needles for Magic Loop OR a set of US ½ (2.25 mm) double pointed needles
- A few yards of fingering-weight scrap yarn
- For Toe-Up Version: A size B–E (2.5–3.5 mm) crochet hook for Provisional Cast On
- An Easy Heel Colorblock Socks in Fine Print Pattern
GAUGE
38 stitches and 48 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
SIZES
Little Kid (Big Kid/Adult Small, Adult Medium, Adult Large, Adult X-Large)
- Finished Foot Circumference: 6 (7¼, 8, 8¾, 10) inches. Choose a size that is approximately 1–2 inches smaller than the circumference of the wearer’s foot.
- Finished Leg Length, from Top of Heel:
- Ankle: 2 (2¼, 2¼, 2½, 2½) inches
- Crew: 4½ (5, 5½, 6, 6½) inches
- Mid-Calf: 6½ (7½, 8, 8½, 9) inches
- Finished Foot Length: Adjustable
Samples: We knit the Adult Medium to fit a women’s US 7½.
PATTERN

Our Easy Heel Colorblock Socks in Fine Print Pattern is available for purchase as a PDF download only.


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 Free Knitting Patterns
- Be sure to explore our growing collection of free Fine Print knitting patterns and cast on!
More Fingering-Weight Yarns
- Shop our entire collection of fingering-weight yarns
- 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!
More Yarns With Similar Fibers
- Shop superwash wool yarn
- Shop machine washable yarn
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!
I already bought the easy heel color block sock pattern and I’ve made 5-6 very successful pairs. Do I need to buy this version to get the instructions for the crew and ankle versions?
Love PurlSoho — I love your tutorials and your beautiful patterns and all your luscious yarns!
Hi Ann,
Thank you so much for your kind words! And not at all! We’re always happy to send you the latest version of any of our patterns if you’ve already purchased it in the past. I’ve sent you an email with this version attached!
All the best,
Lili
Hello, there.
Before I purchase the pattern, I’d like to know if these socks are knitted from the toe up (my preference) or cuff down. I know I could do either one and adapt, but I’d like to know. Thank you!
Hi Tatiana,
Thank you for asking! This pattern includes instruction for both toe-up and cuff-down so that knitters can choose their preferred construction. I like to think of it as a choose-your-own-adventure project!
I hope this helps and happy making!
Warmly,
Gavriella