Newborn and Preemie Sock Pattern

Well, I've knitted several pairs of newborn and preemie socks, so I thought I'd post my tried-and-true pattern so everyone can have a go at it! Don't be put-off by the thin yarn and tiny needles: these socks come together quickly and they're super cute! I am in the middle of making several pairs for my quilting group, Scrappbox Quilts, which makes quilts and other handmade goods for the children being treated at Doernbecher's Children's Hospital in Portland, Oregon. I'd encourage you all to make a pair or two for your local children's hospital!

MATERIALS:

Newborn:
Set of size 3 dpns
Sport-weight yarn
Yarn needle

Preemie:
Set of size 1 dpns
Super fine sock yarn
Yarn needle

The stitches are the same for both sizes, it's the weight of the yarn that makes it smaller or larger. Please refer to this website for instructions on picking up gusset stitches through the back loop, which is the best way to do it for these socks. This site also features video on how to use dpns to knit in the round, if you are new to the technique. Have an extra crochet hook or dpn on hand for picking up the gusset stitches--though it isn't always necessary.

Instructions:

Part 1: Ribbing

• C/O 24 stitches, very loosely. If you have to, use two needles to make these first stitches twice the size--I do this every time.
• Arrange the stitches on each of three needles, so there are eight on each needle.
• Join the round, using either a single (k1, p1) or double (k2, p2) ribbing.
• Work this ribbing for 15 rounds.

Part 2: Divide instep stitches.

• k6 stitches on 1st needle
• move last two stitches on 1st needle to 2nd needle
• purl over last 6 stitches worked
• on same needle, purl over the last 6 stitches from the 3rd needle
• move the first two stitches from the 3rd needle to the 2nd needle
• there should now be 12 stitches on two needles, needle 1 and 2.

Part 3: Heel and Gusset

HEEL

• R1: sl1, k11
• R2: sl1, p11
• Repeat rows 1 and 2 five more times (12 rows)

GUSSET

• R1: sl1, k7, k2tog, k1, turn work
• R2: sl1, p5, p2tog, p1, turn work
• R3: sl1, k5, k2tog, k1, turn work
• R4: sl1, p5, p2tog, p1
• 8 stitches remain
  

Part 4: Combining gusset and instep stitches

• k4 stitches from 1st needle onto a spare needle
• knit the next 4 stitches onto another needle
• use a spare crochet hook or dpn to pick up and knit 7 sts along the gusset, and "one in the corner" to make a total of 12 stitches on the needle.
• knit the 12 instep stitches
• on the other side, pick up and knit one stitch in the corner, and 6 more stitches along the side
• finish by knitting the 4 stitches being held on the spare dpn
• There should be 12 stitches on needles 1 and 3: 12 stitches on needle 2
  
• knit one round

Part 5: Shaping the ankle

Round 1

• 1st needle: knit to last three stitches, k2tog, k1
  
• 2nd needle: k12
• 3rd needle: k1, ssk, knit to end of needle
  
• stitches should be (11/12/11)
  

Round 2: knit all stitches

Repeat rounds 1 and 2 four more times (7/12/7)

Repeat round 1 (6/12/6)

Part 6: foot of the sock

Knit all stitches in all rounds for 10 rounds.

Part 7: toe shaping and finishing

Round 1

• 1st needle: knit to last three stitches: k2tog, k1 (5 sts)
  
• 2nd needle: k1, ssk, knit to last three stitches, k2tog, k1 (10 sts)
  
• 3rd needle: k1, k2tog, knit to the end of the needle (5 sts)
  

Round 2: knit all stitches

Repeat round 1 and 2 (4/8/4 sts)
Repeat round 1 twice more (2/4/2)

Round 3:

• 1st needle: k2tog
• 2nd needle: ssk, k2tog
  
• 3rd needle: ssk
• sts should be (1/2/1)
  

Use yarn needle to gather up all stitches and secure inside sock.
Weave in loose ends and snip.
Voila!

updated on 6/30/09
updated on 7/10/09 (it's hard to type this down from memory, but I believe this final version is the perfect pattern)


My sock was made with Bernat Sox yarn in "Hot Tamale". If you're making these socks for a baby in the NICU, it's advised that you don't use wool because of the danger of allergies and the high-oxygen environment. For more tips on making knit and crochet items for preemies who are in the NICU, check out "Bev's Country Cottage Preemie Tips".