Renowned Finnish actor Iina Kuustonen’s beloved sock pattern of 20 years—perfect for beginners!
Besides being an actor, Iina Kuustonen is known for her passion for knitting. She created this long-legged sock pattern 20 years ago and has been gifting these timeless favorites to colleagues, family, and friends ever since.
Size: EU 22/23 (26/27) 30/31 (34/35) 38/39 (42/43) 46/47.
Iina socks: supplies
- Lankava Lysti sock yarn (75% Superwash wool, 25% polyamide, 100 g = approx. 200 m) 100(100)100(200)200(200)300 g in light rose (Aavikkoruusu 872) or light gray (Usva 852).
- Double-pointed needles sized 3.5 mm (US 4)–4 mm (US 6), depending on your gauge.
Stitch patterns
- Rib stitch: Work in the round *k1, p1*, repeat from * to * to the end of the round. The stitch count is divisible by 2.
- Stockinette stitch: Work in the round, knitting all stitches.
- Reinforced stitch: Work flat. Row 1 (WS): Slip the first st purlwise, then purl to the end of the row. Row 2 (RS): *Slip 1 st, k1*, repeat from * to * and finish with k1. Repeat rows 1–2.
Gauge: 22 sts and 30 rows = 10 cm in stockinette stitch.
Abbreviations
- k = knit, knit stitch
- k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
- p = purl, purl stitch
- p2tog = purl 2 stitches together
- RS = right side
- skp = slip 1 knitwise, knit 1 and pass the slipped stitch over
- st = stitch
- WS = wrong side
Iina socks: instructions
Leg
Cast on 32(36)40(44)48(52)56 sts and divide them evenly onto four needles = 8(9)10(11)12(13)14 sts per needle. Work [k1, p1] rib for 12(12)14(14)18(18)18 rounds. Then work 30(40)50(60)70(75)80 rounds in stockinette. Move 1 st from needle 2 to needle 1, work the sts on needle 1, and turn.
Heel flap
Leave the sts on needles 2 and 3 on hold. Work reinforced stitch over the 17(19)21(23)25(27)29 sts on needles 1 and 4 for 16(18)20(22)24(26)28 rows. Then divide the sts onto three needles 6+5+6(6+7+6)6+9+6(8+7+8)8+9+8(8+11+8)10+9+10 and start the heel turn decreases.
Row 1 (WS): Work in reinforced stitch until you have worked all but the last st on the middle needle, then p2tog, and turn.
Row 2 (RS): *Slip 1 st, k1*, repeat from * to * until you have worked all but the last st on the middle needle, skp, and turn. Repeat rows 1–2 until all side sts have been decreased, ending with row 2.
Foot
Pick up 8(9)10(11)12(13)14 sts along the side of the heel flap + 1 st between needles 1 and 2, and knit them through the back loop. Knit the held sts on needles 2 and 3, then pick up 1 st between needles 3 and 4 + 8(9)10(11)12(13)14 sts along the other side of the flap, and knit them through the back loop. Next, knit 3(4)4(4)4(5)5 of the heel sts and move the remaining sts to needle 1 = 38(44)50(52)58(64)66 sts in total. The beginning of the round is now in the middle of the heel flap.
Work in stockinette and start the gusset decreases on the sides of the foot as follows: At the end of needle 1, k2tog; at the start of needle 4, skp. Repeat these decreases every other round until you have 32(36)40(44)48(52)56 sts in total. Move 1 st from needle 1 back to needle 2 = 8(9)10(11)12(13)14 sts per needle. Then work in stockinette until the foot length from the back of the heel is 11(13)15(17)19(21)23 cm.
Toe
Begin toe decreases:
Sizes 26/27, 34/35, and 42/43: First decrease at the end of each needle by k2tog = 8(8)10(10)12(12)14 sts per needle. Work 0(2)0(2)0(2)0 rounds. Then continue the decreases in the same way as with the other sizes.
Other sizes: Decrease by k2tog in the middle and at the end of each needle = 6(6)8(8)10(10)12 sts per needle. Work 2 rounds without decreasing, then repeat the decreases every 3rd round until 8 sts remain. Break the yarn and pull it through the final 8 sts with a tapestry needle.
Finishing
Weave in the ends and lightly steam the finished socks from the WS by hovering the iron above them, or soak the socks. Press out excess water without wringing. Shape the socks and let dry flat on towels.
Check out the easy Love beanie pattern, also designed by Iina! This chunky beanie will be ready in just a couple of evenings.
Designer: Lankava and Iina Kuustonen.
For yarn and pattern inquiries: Lankava Oy, tel. +358 6 4345 500, lankava.fi.
