Women’s Cable Knit Socks – FREE Knitting Pattern

Women's Cable Knit Socks
Women’s Cable Knit Socks

Woman’s Cable Knit Socks: A Timeless Classic

Originally featured in Knit and Crochet Style Parade by Coats & Clark in 1954, this vintage pattern brings a touch of elegance and warmth to your wardrobe. These woman’s cable socks are not only stylish but also practical, offering a snug and cozy fit for sizes 8½ to 10½. Designed with intricate cable details and a durable cuff, these socks are both functional and beautiful, making them a perfect project for knitters who enjoy classic designs.

The pattern uses Chadwick’s Red Heart Knitting Worsted, 4 Ply, and is worked on double-pointed needles with a precise gauge to ensure the perfect fit. With clear instructions for shaping the heel, instep, and toe, this pattern will guide you through creating a pair of socks that are timeless and versatile.

Whether you’re knitting for yourself or gifting a loved one, these cable socks are sure to be cherished for years to come. Embrace the nostalgia of a vintage design while enjoying the practicality of a modern wardrobe staple.

Woman’s Cable Knit Socks Pattern

Materials

  • Yarn:
  • Chadwick’s Red Heart Knitting Worsted, 4 Ply, Art. E.232
    • 5 skeins (1 oz. each) for all sizes
  • Needles:
  • Clark’s O.N.T. Plastic Double-Pointed Sock Needles
    • 1 pair No. 3 (3 mm)
    • 1 pair No. 4 (3.25 mm)
  • Gauge:
  • 6 1/2 stitches = 1 inch
  • 7 rounds = 1 inch

Sizes:

  • 8½, 9, 9½, 10, and 10½

Instructions

Cuff

  1. Using No. 3 needles, cast on 64 stitches loosely.
  2. Divide stitches evenly among three needles and join, being careful not to twist.
  3. Work in k2, p2 ribbing for 2 inches.
  4. Switch to No. 4 needles and begin the cable pattern:

Cable Pattern:

  • Round 1: P6, slip next 2 sts to a cable needle and hold in front, k3, k2 from cable needle, slip next 3 sts to a cable needle and hold in back, k2, k3 from cable needle. Repeat from * to end of round.
  • Round 2: P6, k10, p6, k2, (p1, k1) 3 times, k2. Repeat from * to end.
  • Round 3: P6, k10, p6, k2, (k1, p1) 3 times, k2. Repeat from * to end.
  • Rounds 4–11: Repeat Rounds 2 and 3 alternately.
  • Round 12: Repeat Round 2.
  • Round 13: P6, slip next 3 sts to a cable needle and hold in back, k2, k3 from cable needle, slip next 2 sts to a cable needle and hold in front, k3, k2 from cable needle. Repeat from * to end.
  • Rounds 14–23: Alternate Rounds 14 (P6, k2, (p1, k1) 3 times, k2, p6, k10) and 15 (P6, k2, (k1, p1) 3 times, k2, p6, k10).

Repeat the full 24-round pattern until the piece measures 13 3/4 inches or desired length, ending with Round 1 or 13.

Heel

  1. Divide stitches for the heel: Place 32 stitches from the first two needles onto one needle. Divide the remaining stitches evenly across two needles for the instep.
  2. Work heel flap:
  • Row 1: Slip 1, knit 1. Repeat across.
  • Row 2: Slip 1, purl across.
  • Repeat these two rows until the heel flap measures 2 1/2 inches, ending on a purl row.

Turn Heel:

  • Row 1: Knit 14, k2tog, k1, turn.
  • Row 2: Slip 1, p5, p2tog, p1, turn.
  • Row 3: Slip 1, k6, k2tog, k1, turn.
  • Row 4: Slip 1, p7, p2tog, p1, turn.
  • Continue in this manner, adding one more stitch after each turn, until 14 stitches remain on the needle.

Instep

  1. With the first needle, pick up and knit 12 stitches along the side of the heel flap.
  2. Work across the instep needles in pattern: P2, p2tog, p3, p2tog, p2, work in cable pattern across center 10 stitches, p2, p2tog, p3, p2tog, p2.
  3. With the third needle, pick up and knit 12 stitches along the other side of the heel flap and knit the remaining 7 heel stitches.

Shape Instep:

  • Round 1: Knit to last 3 stitches on first needle, k2tog, k1; work in pattern across instep; on third needle, k1, ssk, knit to end.
  • Round 2: Knit around, keeping instep in pattern.
  • Repeat these two rounds until there are 14 stitches on each of the first and third needles and 28 stitches on the instep.

Foot

Work without decreasing until the foot measures:

  • 6 inches for size 8½
  • 6 1/2 inches for size 9
  • 7 inches for size 9½
  • 7 1/2 inches for size 10
  • 8 inches for size 10½

Toe

Shape Toe:

  • Round 1: On the first needle, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1; on the second needle, k1, ssk, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1; on the third needle, k1, ssk, knit to end.
  • Round 2: Knit around.
  • Repeat these two rounds until 20 stitches remain.

Transfer the stitches to two needles (10 stitches each). Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail, and graft the toe using the Kitchener stitch.

Finishing

  1. Weave in all ends.
  2. Lightly block socks to smooth and shape.
  3. Enjoy your cozy cable-knit socks!

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