Knitting tube socks is incredibly easy—here’s how to knit wool socks without a heel
Tube socks take their name literally: they’re knit in one continuous tube with no heel. Because you can shift the heel position, they don’t wear out in just one spot, which extends their lifespan. This easy pattern is also beginner-friendly, as the socks are knit only with knit and purl stitches.
Size: approx. size 38, but they also fit other foot sizes.
Finished sock measurements: length 43 cm, width (unstretched) 8.5 cm.
Tube socks knitting pattern—materials
- 100–150 g Novita 7 Veljestä yarn (80% wool, 20% polyamide, 100 g = 200 m), shade 014 Ice
- Double-pointed needles 3.5 mm (US 4)
- Darning needle.
Gauge: 34 sts and 32 rounds = 10 × 10 cm.
Tube socks knitting pattern—instructions
1. Cast on 48 sts loosely.
2. Knit k2, p2 ribbing [in Finnish], until the sock is about 38 cm long or reaches your preferred length.
3. Begin toe decreases when the sock reaches your little toe. Keep k2, p2 ribbing on the remaining sts and make band decreases [in Finnish] at the start and end of each needle as follows:
- Needle 1: Knit 1 st at the beginning of the needle, then make an skp decrease (= slip 1 knitwise, k1 and pass slipped st over knit st). Knit the rest of the sts on the needle.
- Needle 2: Knit until 3 sts remain on the needle. Knit 2 sts together, then knit the last st.
- Needle 3: Knit 1 st at the beginning of the needle, then make an skp decrease. Knit the rest of the sts on the needle.
- Needle 4: Knit until 3 sts remain on the needle. Knit 2 sts together, then knit the last st.
4. After a decrease round, work 1 round of k2, p2 ribbing, then another decrease round. Alternate 1 decrease round with 1 plain round until you have 6 sts on each needle. Then decrease on every round until there are 12 sts total (3 on each needle).
5. Break the yarn, draw it through the remaining sts, and tighten. Weave in the ends.
Tip!
- For a child, subtract 4–12 sts from the cast-on for a narrower sock.
- For a men’s size sock, add 4 or 8 sts.
- If you add or subtract sts, do so in multiples of four to maintain the ribbing pattern.
