Banana socks pattern—knitting wool socks can’t get any easier than this!
Many craft enthusiasts on social media have been excited to knit banana socks, so we were inspired to design our own pattern! Besides their playful appearance, these socks are also practical—and unbelievably easy to knit. The sock is knitted as a single tube without a heel, so they adjust effortlessly to a child’s growing foot. They also make an excellent gift for an adult whose shoe size you don’t know.
Size: Approximately EU 38. The total length of the sock is about 35 cm.
Banana socks: materials
- 100 g of Novita Nalle yarn (75% wool, 25% polyamide, 100 g = 260 m) in color brass (shade 298); we used about 70 g of yarn for these sample socks
- 3 mm (US 2.5) double-pointed needles or size needed to match gauge
Gauge: 26 stitches and 32 rows = 10 cm × 10 cm (approx. 4" × 4").
Abbreviations:
- st, sts = stitch, stitches
- k = knit, knit stitch
- p = purl, purl stitch
- k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
Tip!
You can use a basic sock pattern to get the correct number of cast-on stitches for your work. If the wearer has wide feet or you want to leave room for growth in a child’s sock, add a few extra stitches.
- Size 22: 40 sts
- Size 24: 42 sts
- Size 26: 44 sts
- Size 28: 46 sts
- Size 30: 48 sts
- Size 32: 50 sts
- Size 34: 52 sts
- Size 36: 54 sts
- Size 40: 58 sts
- Size 42: 60 sts
- Size 44: 62 sts
- Size 46: 64 sts
- Size 48: 66 sts.
Banana socks: instructions
1. Cast on 56 sts. Divide the stitches evenly onto four needles (14 sts per needle). The beginning of the round is always between needles 1 and 4.
2. Work k2, p2 ribbing [in Finnish] in the round for 15 rounds. On the last round of ribbing, k12 on needle 3 and transfer the remaining 2 sts to the next needle. Continue the round as usual to the end. Now, the back of the sock (needles 1 and 4) has a total of 30 sts, and the top of the sock (needles 2 and 3) has 26 sts.
3. Begin the banana section on the next round. On needles 1 and 4, continue working k2, p2 ribbing until the toe decreases. On needles 2 and 3, alternate 5 rounds of knit stitches and 5 rounds of purl stitches. Repeat until the toe decreases.
4. Knit the sock to the desired length. The sample sock has 10 sections in knit stitches and 10 sections in purl stitches. End with the purl rounds. Then knit 1 round and at the same time, redistribute the stitches evenly onto four needles (14 sts per needle).
5. Begin the toe decreases when the sock covers the little toe. Work wedge decreases as follows:
- Needle 1: Knit until 3 sts remain on the needle, k2tog, knit the last stitch.
- Needle 2: At the beginning of the needle, k1, skp (= slip 1 knitwise, k1 and pass the slipped st over), knit the remaining stitches.
- Needle 3: Knit until 3 sts remain on the needle, k2tog, knit the last stitch.
- Needle 4: At the beginning of the needle, k1, skp, knit the remaining stitches.
After this decrease round, knit 1 round without decreases. Repeat the decreases every other round until there are 7 stitches remaining on each needle. Then, make the decreases on every round until there are 8 stitches left, i.e., 2 stitches on each needle.
6. Cut the yarn, pull it through the remaining stitches, and tighten. Weave in the ends.
Edited on June 18, 2025: Added gauge information to the pattern.
