Three colorful, patterned socks with decorative wooden sock forms on a wooden floor.
Person standing on a patterned rug, wearing gray leggings and colorful knit socks, with one hand resting on their sock. Nearby are a pair of yellow and black Salomon running shoes, a book with a floral cover, and a pair of sunglasses.
Hand wearing rings pulls multicolored socks on a textured fabric surface.
Person sitting on the floor wearing gray leggings and putting on pink and blue knitted socks with a pattern, on a light-colored patterned rug.
Stack of folded socks with various colors and patterns, including a knitted sock with pink, brown, and purple hues on top.

Summer Shorty Socks

THIS YEAR, I’VE BEEN CHALLENGING myself to use up my sock yarn stash as part of a knit-along hosted by my friends Chelsea and Alisha. It’s been such a refreshing way to knit—more freeform, more adventurous, and for someone that spends a lot of time in spreadsheets before casting on…more fun!

One of the designs that emerged from this challenge is the Summer Shorty Socks. With a cushioned mid-sole, a playful band of colorwork, and the perfect ankle-skimming length for summer, these quickly became a favorite. Naturally, I couldn’t keep them to myself! I knit several more pairs (all from stash yarn, of course), experimenting with color combos and fine-tuning the pattern.

I hope you enjoy making—and wearing—yours as much as I’ve loved mine.

  • Design & Construction: The Summer Shorty Socks are ankle-length, toe-up socks featuring a fleegle heel. 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.

  • YARN
    Light fingering weight
    The listed totals below assume a light fingering weight yarn of 100 g/400 yds or 366 m.
    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
    Your stash!

    While I’ve listed the specific yarns I used at the end of this pattern, I wholeheartedly encourage you to dive into your stash and create a color palette that’s uniquely yours. This design is a perfect opportunity to play with leftovers, mini skeins, or those souvenir skeins you’ve been saving for something special.

  • 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

  • Judy’s magic cast-on or Turkish cast-on, chart reading, Jeny’s stretchy bind-off

Purchase the Summer Shorty Socks pattern on Ravelry