Person sitting on the floor, fixing colorful striped socks on their feet, with various small rocks and green plants around them on gray carpet.
Decorative display of knitted socks with wooden crochet hooks and balls of yarn on a concrete surface.
A woman sitting on the ground outdoors with her back against a wall, looking to the side, wearing a black tank top, gray jeans, colorful socks, and earrings.
Stack of colorful knitted sweaters with various patterns.
Person holding a pair of pink and green knitted socks with a decorative crochet pattern, with a ball of pink yarn and knitting needles on a gray surface.

Julie’s Summer Shorty Socks

WHEN I RELEASED my Summer Shorty Socks pattern earlier this year, my friend Julie—an accomplished knitter and the owner of My Sister Knits in Fort Collins, Colorado—told me she’d bought the pattern but planned to knit them top-down. (The original was written for toe-up socks with a fleegle heel.)

I had no doubt she could rework it herself, but then more knitters started asking for a top-down version, too…

And here’s the truth: even though I love experimenting with all kinds of techniques, I personally prefer knitting socks top-down, as well!

So here it is—the top-down Summer Shorty Socks, fondly renamed Julie’s Summer Shorty Socks in honor of the friend who sparked the idea.

  • Design & Construction: Julie’s Top Down Summer Shorty Socks are top-down socks featuring a traditional heel flap and gusset construction. The mid-foot is worked in a slip stitch pattern for added cushioning and support, and the leg features a small band of stranded colorwork for a touch of visual interest.

    Fit: These socks are designed to fit with approximately 0.25 to 1 in. (1 to 2.5 cm) of negative ease for a snug, comfortable fit. To choose your size, measure the circumference of your foot at its fullest point—typically around the ankle where it meets the foot. Then subtract 0.25 to 1 in. (1 to 2.5 cm) from that measurement. Select the size with a finished circumference closest to the result.

    Stitch Patterns: The stranded colorwork stitch patterns in this sweater are only charted, so you should be confident in your chart reading skills—or be open to learning!

  • SIZES
    (1, 2, 3)(4, 5, 6)

    FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
    The circumference as measured around the foot is as follows.
    (6, 7, 8)(9, 10, 11) in.
    (15, 17.5, 20)(22.5, 25, 27.5) cm

    These socks are designed to be worn with approximately 0.25 to 1 in. (1 to 2.5 cm) of negative ease. The sample is shown in Size 3 with 1 in. (2.5 cm) of negative ease.

  • Light fingering weight
    MC: (30, 35, 45)(60, 70, 85) g/(120, 140, 180)(240, 280, 340) yds or (110, 130, 165)(220, 255, 310) m
    CC1: (5, 5, 5)(10, 10, 10) g/(20, 20, 20)(40, 40, 40) yds or (20, 20, 20)(35, 35, 35) m
    CC2: (10, 10, 15)(15, 20, 25) g/(40, 40, 60)(60, 80, 100) yds or (35, 35, 55)(55, 75, 90) m

    SUGGESTED YARN
    The Salty Blonde 2-ply Sock (100 g/400 yds (366 m)) – 80% superwash Merino, 20% nylon
    MC: 1 skein (all sizes)
    CC1: 1 skein or 1 mini skein (20 g/80 yds (73 m)) (all sizes)
    CC2: 1 skein (all sizes) or 1 mini skein (sizes 1-5)

    The pink sample socks are knit in the colorways Italian Villa (MC), Olive Wood (CC1), and Wilson (CC2). The cream sample socks are knit in a variety of yarns from stash!

  • US 1 (2.25 mm)

    You will need 32 in. (80 cm) circular needles to work in the round using the magic loop method, or your preferred needles for smaller circumference knitting, such as short circular or double-pointed needles.

  • Measure gauge knit in the round, after blocking.

    32 sts and 44 rows = 4 in. (10 cm) in stockinette
    32 sts and 36 rows = 4 in. (10 cm) in stranded colorwork

  • German twisted cast-on, chart reading, picking up stitches, grafting stitches together

Purchase the Julie's Summer Shorty Socks pattern on Ravelry