Do you have sock yarn lying around you haven’t used? How about mini-skeins or leftovers you can’t bear to part with? Do you find mini socks too adorable to resist? Do you want a series of quick projects that will give you a feeling of accomplishment?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then I highly recommend you make a garland of mini socks. Plus, if you make them in Christmas colors, they could totally double as little itty bitty stockings – you could even hang them on a tree.
Instructions for mini socks (you can also download a printer-friendly PDF in the sidebar)
CO 10 sts using Judy’s magic cast on. Stitches will be divided over 2 dpns
Shape the toe
Row 1: K10, pm for beginning of round
Row 2: (K1, M1R, K3, M1L, K1)*2 – 14 sts
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: (K1, M1R, K5, M1L, K1)*2 – 18 sts
Row 5: Knit
Row 6: (K1, M1R, K7, M1L, K1)*2 – 22 sts
Row 7: Knit
Row 8: (K1, M1R, K9, M1L, K1)*2 – 26 sts
Row 9: Knit
Knit the foot
Divide sts over 3 dpns, I recommend 13 stitches on the first needle (to make life easier when you turn the heel), 7 sts on the second needle and 6 sts on the third.
Knit until sock measures approx. 2.5 inches (including the toe) – I strongly recommend fudging this number to make colors line up nicely if you are using self-striping yarn.
Turn the heel – work wrapped stitches as you come to them
Row 1: K12, w&t
Row 2: P11, w&t
Row 3: K10, w&t
Row 4: P9, w&t
Row 5: K8, w&t
Row 6: P7, w&t
Row 7: K6, w&t
Row 8: P5, w&t
Row 9: sl1, K5, turn
Row 10: sl1, P6, turn
Row 11: sl1, K7, turn
Row 12: sl1, P8, turn
Row 13: sl1, K9, turn
Row 14: sl1, P10, turn
Row 15: sl1, K11, turn
Row 16: sl1, P12, turn
Row 17: sl1, K25 (you are now done making short rows – huzzah!)
Knit the body of the sock
Re-jigger the stitches so that they are evenly divided on your dpns.
Knit until body of sock measures about 3 inches. You can also knit for a couple inches and then do the last several row in 1×1 rib, totally up to you. When the sock is long enough for you, or you are nearly out of yarn in your mini skein, bind off all stitches. Weave in ends and block.
To turn the socks into a garland, I used mini clothespins and a length of scrap yarn. If you don’t have mini clothespins handy, you could also just tie the socks to the line, or make a crochet chain to attach them together. I also think it would be fun to add little loops to each sock and use them as Christmas ornaments.
Optional final step: do a photo shoot with your garland in a nearby park. Try act casually as you walk down the street carrying a bundle of miniature socks.
