Shared crochet pattern

Alpine Meadow Socks

Toe-up crochet socks worked in the round in extended single crochet with a stretchy front-post rib cuff and an afterthought heel. Designed for an average adult foot (approximately 8–9 in foot circumference).

Finished / weight

7.5 in foot circumference (unstretched) × 9.5 in foot length (adjustable) × 7 in leg height

Gauge

24 sts × 26 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in extended single crochet with US C-2 (2.75 mm) hook, blocked

Yarn

Fingering weight, 420 yards total (210 yards per sock); suggested fibers: superwash merino or merino/nylon blend

Needles / hooks

US C-2 (2.75 mm) crochet hook

Notions

Stitch markers (4), tapestry needle, waste yarn in contrasting color (approximately 1 yard per sock), scissors

Abbreviations

ch = chainsl st = slip stitchsc = single crochetesc = extended single crochet: insert hook, pull up loop, pull through first loop on hook, yarn over, pull through both loopsesc2tog = extended single crochet 2 together (decrease): insert hook in next st, pull up loop, pull through first loop, insert hook in following st, pull up loop, pull through first loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops2esc = work 2 extended single crochet in same stitch (increase)fpesc = front post extended single crochet: insert hook from front to back to front around post of stitch below, pull up loop, pull through first loop, yarn over, pull through both loopsbpesc = back post extended single crochet: insert hook from back to front to back around post of stitch below, pull up loop, pull through first loop, yarn over, pull through both loopspm = place markersm = slip markerRS = right sideWS = wrong sidernd = roundst = stitchsts = stitchesrep = repeatBLO = back loop only

Notes Before Beginning

Note 1Socks are worked toe-up in continuous rounds. Do not turn at end of rounds unless instructed. Join each round with sl st to first st, ch 1 (ch 1 does NOT count as a st throughout). The RS faces outward at all times.
Note 2The afterthought heel is worked by crocheting a row of waste yarn across the bottom 22 sts of the foot at the heel position, then continuing the foot. After the sock is complete, the waste yarn is removed and live sts are picked up to work the heel cup.
Note 3Gauge swatch your esc fabric and measure after a light wet block. Crochet socks require slightly negative ease at the foot circumference — finished sock should measure about 0.5–1 in less than actual foot circumference.
Note 4Instructions are written for one sock. Make two.

Toe

SetupUsing the magic ring method, ch 2. Work 8 esc into the ring, sl st to first esc to join. Pull ring closed. (8 sts)8 sts
Rnd 1Ch 1, 2esc in each st around, sl st to first esc to join. (16 sts)16 sts
Rnd 2Ch 1, [2esc in next st, esc in next st] 8 times, sl st to first esc to join. (24 sts)24 sts
Rnd 3Ch 1, [2esc in next st, esc in next 2 sts] 8 times, sl st to first esc to join. (32 sts)32 sts
Rnd 4Ch 1, [2esc in next st, esc in next 3 sts] 8 times, sl st to first esc to join. (40 sts)40 sts
Rnd 5Ch 1, [2esc in next st, esc in next 4 sts] 8 times, sl st to first esc to join. (44 sts)44 sts
Rnd 6Ch 1, esc in each st around, sl st to first esc to join. (44 sts)

Foot

Rnds 7–20Ch 1, esc in each of next 44 sts, sl st to first esc to join. (44 sts)(14 rows)
Note: Heel PlacementContinue working foot in esc until piece measures approximately 5.5 in from tip of toe (or 4 in less than desired total foot length). The heel row is worked next. Adjust foot length here before proceeding.

Afterthought Heel Setup (Waste Yarn Row)

Heel Setup RndCh 1, esc in each of next 22 sts (instep sts — these will become the top of the foot). Drop working yarn to back, pick up waste yarn and sc across next 22 sts (sole sts). Drop waste yarn. Pick up working yarn, esc in same 22 sole sts again over the waste yarn, sl st to first esc of rnd to join. (44 sts; 22 instep sts worked in working yarn, 22 sole sts double-crocheted in waste yarn placeholder)44 sts
Heel Setup NoteThe waste yarn marks the heel opening. After the sock is complete, remove waste yarn carefully to expose live loops above and below for heel construction.

Upper Foot and Ankle

Rnds 1–10Ch 1, esc in each of next 44 sts, sl st to first esc to join. (44 sts)(10 rows)
Note: Ankle LengthContinue working ankle rnds in esc until ankle section measures approximately 2 in above the heel setup row, ending with a completed round. Proceed to Cuff.

Cuff (Front Post Rib)

Cuff Rnd 1Ch 1, [fpesc around next st, bpesc around next st] 22 times, sl st to first fpesc to join. (44 sts)
Cuff Rnd 2 – Cuff Rnd 12Ch 1, [fpesc around next fpesc post, bpesc around next bpesc post] 22 times, sl st to first fpesc to join. (44 sts)(11 rows)
Cuff Bind-OffFasten off, leaving a 6-in tail. Weave tail through last row of sts to close, or sl st loosely to bind off for a clean edge.

Afterthought Heel Construction

Heel Pickup SetupCarefully remove waste yarn from heel setup row. You will have 22 live loops along the upper edge of the opening and 22 live loops along the lower edge of the opening — 44 loops total. Arrange loops so all 44 are accessible in the round. Join working yarn at one side edge of the heel opening with sl st. (44 sts)44 sts
Heel Rnd 1Ch 1, esc in each of next 44 sts around the heel opening, sl st to first esc to join. (44 sts)
Heel Rnd 2Ch 1, esc in each of next 44 sts, sl st to first esc to join. (44 sts)
Heel Rnd 3 (begin decreases)Ch 1, esc in next 20 sts, esc2tog over next 2 sts, pm, esc2tog over next 2 sts, esc in next 18 sts, esc2tog over next 2 sts, sl st to first esc to join. (41 sts)41 sts
Heel Rnd 4Ch 1, esc in next 19 sts, esc2tog, sm, esc2tog, esc in next 16 sts, esc2tog, sl st to first esc to join. (38 sts)38 sts
Heel Rnd 5Ch 1, esc in next 18 sts, esc2tog, sm, esc2tog, esc in next 14 sts, esc2tog, sl st to first esc to join. (35 sts)35 sts
Heel Rnd 6Ch 1, esc in next 17 sts, esc2tog, sm, esc2tog, esc in next 12 sts, esc2tog, sl st to first esc to join. (32 sts)32 sts
Heel Rnd 7Ch 1, esc in next 16 sts, esc2tog, sm, esc2tog, esc in next 10 sts, esc2tog, sl st to first esc to join. (29 sts)29 sts
Heel Rnd 8Ch 1, esc in next 15 sts, esc2tog, sm, esc2tog, esc in next 8 sts, esc2tog, sl st to first esc to join. (26 sts)26 sts
Heel Rnd 9Ch 1, esc in next 14 sts, esc2tog, sm, esc2tog, esc in next 6 sts, esc2tog, sl st to first esc to join. (23 sts)23 sts
Heel Rnd 10Ch 1, esc in next 13 sts, esc2tog, sm, esc2tog, esc in next 4 sts, esc2tog, sl st to first esc to join. (20 sts)20 sts
Heel Rnd 11Ch 1, esc in next 12 sts, esc2tog, sm, esc2tog, esc in next 2 sts, esc2tog, sl st to first esc to join. (17 sts)17 sts
Heel Rnd 12Ch 1, esc in next 11 sts, esc2tog, sm, esc2tog, esc2tog, sl st to first esc to join. (14 sts)14 sts
Heel ClosureCut yarn leaving a 12-in tail. Thread tail onto tapestry needle and weave through remaining 14 sts, pulling tight to close the heel cup. Secure and weave in end on WS.

Finishing

Weave in all ends securely on the WS using a tapestry needle. Wet block both socks by soaking in cool water for 10 minutes, gently squeezing out excess water (do not wring), and laying flat or placing on sock blockers to dry. Blocking will even out the esc fabric and open the rib cuff slightly. Once dry, socks are ready to wear.

Notes

SIZING: The pattern is written for an approximately 8–9 in foot circumference. To size up, add sts in multiples of 2 during the toe increases (keeping the rib pattern a multiple of 2); to size down, stop toe increases one round earlier. FOOT LENGTH: The foot section can be lengthened or shortened before the heel setup row — simply work more or fewer esc rounds until the foot measures 4 in less than desired total foot length. HEEL PICKUP: When picking up loops from the removed waste yarn, you may pick up an additional st at each side corner of the heel opening to prevent gaps; decrease these extra sts on Heel Rnd 1. WASTE YARN: Use a smooth, non-fuzzy yarn in a contrasting color for the waste yarn so it slides out easily. RIB CUFF: The front post rib cuff is highly stretchy — work loosely or go up one hook size (US D-3 / 3.25 mm) for the cuff only if the bind-off feels tight over the ankle. TENSION: Crochet stitches tend to be denser than knit stitches at the same gauge — always swatch and block before beginning. YARN: For best durability in socks, choose a yarn with at least 20% nylon content.

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