Toddler Socks - Knitting for Children's Hospitals

A new friend has been knitting toddler socks for the local hospital, for the children's ward.  She felt that this pattern should be shared along with the other charity knitting patterns (preemie caps, and finger puppets - Poppets) that my readers have been knitting for many years.  The more we share, the more kids benefit!  So grab your left over sock yarns and your knitting group and start knitting for kids!  

Photo by Judy Kempston



TODDLER SOCKS   *pattern originally supplied by Kinsey Wool Shop for charity knitting

Some fingering weight yarn is finer than others.  I am including two versions, one for finer weight yarn, another for heavier weight yarn. 

Needles: 2.75mm or 3.25mm 

Cast on 32 stitches (I use the Tubular Cast on for a nice stretchy edge).  Divide on to 3 needles as follows: 10, 12, 10 

Work K1, P1, until work measure ¾ inch. 

Work in stockinette stitch until work measures 2 ¾ (3) inches.   

HEEL FLAP 

Knit across first needle.  Transfer 10 stitches from 3rd needle onto end of first needle (20 stitches) 

*Slip all stitches knitwise* 

Row 1: (WS) Sl1, purl to end 

Row 2: (RS) *Sl1, P* to end 

Repeat these rows foe 1 inch ending with a RS 

TURN HEEL 

Sl1, P11, P2tog, P1, turn 

S1, K5, S1, K1, PSSO, K1.  Turn 

Sl1, P6, P2tog, P1, turn. 

Sl1, K7, K1, PSSO, K1.  Turn 

S1, P8, P2tog, P1.  Turn 

Sl1, K9, S1, K1, PSSO, K1.  Turn 

Sl1, P10, P2tog.  Turn 

S11, K10, Sl1, K1, PSSO.  Turn 

There will be 12 stitches on heel needle.  Divide onto 2 needles, 6 stitches on each.   

GUSSET 

Pick up and knit 8 stitches on left side of flap, knit 12 stitches from the needle at the front of the sock, pick up and knit 8 stitches on the right side of the flap.  You now have stitches on all five needles.  Knit 6 stitches onto the 3rd needles and slip the other 6 stitches onto the first needle.  (1st:14, 2nd: 12, 3rd 14) 

Knit one round. 

Row 1: 1st needle:  K to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1 

             2nd needle: K 

             3rd needle: K1, Sl1, K1, PSSO, K to end 

Row 2: knit all stitches 

Repeat these 2 rows 3 times.  You should have 32 stitches on the needles. 

Continue knitting in the round until your work measures 2 ¼ (2 ½) from picked u stitches at heel.   

Toe 

Transfer stitches so that you have 8 stitches on the first, 16 on the second and 8 on the third. 

Row 1:  1st needle: K to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1 

              2nd needle: K1, Sl1, K1, PSSO.  K to last 3 stitches, K2 tog, K1 

              3rd needle: K1, Sl1, K1, PSSO, K to end 

Row 2: K 

Repeat these 2 rows until 12 stitches remain.  Cut the yarn, thread it through the stitches and secure