My goal with this design is to create your favorite all-purpose go-to sock pattern. It’s interesting to knit, but not so interesting you have to pay a lot of attention. The stitch patterning works equally well with a solid or near-solid color yarn or a yarn with lively color changes.

Because I try not to make things more difficult than they need to be, although the leg patterning is purl-intensive, I’ve chosen to work the sock inside out. This allows you to twist the purl ribs in the cuff for a bit of extra tightness – but you get to work them as ktbl rather than ptbl. As for the leg pattern, you get to work as (k2, p1) rather than (p2, k1) – it’s just that bit quicker and easier.

To ensure these socks last as long as possible, I’ve used some of my favorite tricks for reinforcement. You’ll be using smaller needles than you might expect, first of all. And then as is pretty common, I’ve worked a slipped-stitch pattern on the heel flap that flows seamlessly from the leg ribbing. And the square/band heel turn I’ve used (my favorite) allows the reinforcement to continue down into the turn, into the portion of the heel that sits under the foot, which is also a high wear area for many. After all, if you’re going to go to the trouble of making socks – and the yarn for them! – they should last a long time.

Finally the pattern features my favourite no-graft toe. I find it fits most feet surprisingly well, and it does save the trouble of having to look up your favourite Kitchener stitch tutorial! If you really do prefer to graft – and some feet do better with a flatter-top toe – you can easily adjust. But if you’ve never worked a no-graft toe, this one’s worth trying! Give it a go!

Size
To fit foot circumference: 6.5 (7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11) inches / 16.5 (19, 20.5, 21.5, 23, 24, 25.5, 26.5, 28) cm

Finished measurements
Foot circumference: 6 (6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10) inches / 15 (16.5, 18, 19, 20.5, 21.5, 23, 24, 25.5) cm

Foot and leg length: adjustable to fit

Materials

For DK/sport weight:
* Approximately 190 (200, 225, 275, 330, 375,
420, 460, 520) yards / 175 (185, 205, 250, 300, 345, 385, 420, 475) meters DK/sport weight yarn (2-ply, 100% Cheviot)
* US 2/2.75mm needles for small circumference in the round: traditional or flexible DPNs, 1 long or 2 short circulars, sock-length circular

For fingering weight:
* Approximately 200 (240, 285, 325, 385, 450, 475,
525, 600) yards / 185 (220, 260, 295, 350, 410, 435, 480, 545) meters fingering weight yarn (2-ply, 100% Cheviot)
* US 1/2.25mm needles for small circumference in the round: traditional or flexible DPNs, 1 long or 2 short circulars, sock-length circular

For both:
Stitch markers

Gauge
27 stitches and 40 rounds to 4 inches / 10 cm over stockinette stitch using DK/sport weight yarn and US 2/2.75mm needles

32 stitches and 44 rounds to 4 inches / 10 cm over stockinette stitch using fingering weight yarn and US 1/2.25mm needles

Pattern notes
There are 2 different sets of numbers: the first set in red is for the DK/sport weight yarn, the second set in blue for the fingering weight yarn.