Fun and addictive colorwork along with a beginner friendly sock knitting pattern create the Saguaro Blossom Socks, a cozy free cactus socks knitting pattern! Scroll down for the full free knitting pattern or purchase the ad-free PDF here.
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How to Knit Socks
There are many different ways you can knit socks. I have found that a top down sock with an afterthought heel to be the easiest beginner friendly way. Which is why I chose that construction for my cactus socks knitting pattern.
Steps to knitting a top-down sock.
- Cast on sock cuff stitches and join in the round.
- Knit the cuff and leg.
- Place waste yarn where the heel will later go.
- Continue knitting the foot.
- Decrease to shape the toe.
- Graft the toe stitches together.
- Place heel stitches onto kneedles.
- Knit the heel.
- Done!
How easy does that sound?!
VIDEO: Grafting – How to do the Kitchener Stitch
Find a printer-friendly PDF version of the Saguaro Blossom Socks here in my Etsy shop. The PDF version includes the full ad-free pattern that’s easy to print and stick in your project bag!
Keep scrolling for the FREE version of the Saguaro Blossom Socks Knitting Pattern.
Best Yarn for Knitting Colorwork Socks
There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing yarn for colorwork socks.
- Fiber Content: I find that using natural fiber yarn is best when knitting socks because it’s breathable and moisture wicking. This means your feet will sweat less and be more cozy. Also having a touch of nylon will make the yarn more durable.
- Ply and Twist: Yarn made specifically for socks typically has a tight twist. This makes the socks more durable. It also keeps them from forming holes less quickly.
- Color and Value: Solid color yarns allow the colorwork design to stand out, whereas variegated yarns can sometimes get lost or muddy. If you want to use a variegated yarn I recommend making sure it is very different than the other color you are using in regards to it’s value. To understand this concept better I have a helpful video linked below.
VIDEO: Choosing Yarn for Colorwork Knitting
I’ve included some of my favorite sock yarns to use for colorwork knitting below.
Budget friendly Sock Yarn for Knitting
Sock yarn can come in a multitude of price points. These are my favorite budget friendly yarns for socks.
- Knit Picks – Stroll (This is the yarn I used for my socks. I love that there are tons of colors to choose from and it’s very soft.)
- Knit Picks – Stroll Tonal
- Knit Picks – Stroll Hand Painted
Splurge worthy Sock Yarn for Knitting
If you want something a little more on the luxury side here are my favorite splurge worthy sock yarns.
Check out other FREE sock knitting patterns!
Saguaro Blossom Socks – FREE Cactus Sock Knitting Pattern
Description:
The Saguaro is a majestic cactus that grows in the desert. Once a year these beautiful and protected plants blossom for less than 24 hours. The Saguaro Blossom Socks – a FREE cactus socks knitting pattern right here on the blog are a fun tribute to these cacti. Featuring staggered Saguaros with small blossoms throughout. These socks are knit from the top cuff down to the toes and feature an afterthought heel. A two color chart is used for the stranded color work.
Helpful videos for knitting these socks
Note: Floats
Be mindful of your floats while knitting. There are some sections where you may want to catch your floats so not to have a long strand running across the inside. I like to live dangerously and try not to catch as many floats as possible. You may find that you catch a toe when putting them on but I feel that I would rather carefully put on a sock than catch a million floats so I risk it! I leave this up to you the knitter to decide.
Note: Afterthought Heel
This sock is custom fit to your foot length. In order to get the proper fit I recommend knitting your heel before your foot is finished. This way you can easily try on your sock to get the best fit.
Sizes: Small (7″/17.75), Medium (8″/20.25cm), Large (9″/22.75), Extra Large (10″/25.5cm) [Sample is shown in size small.]
Materials:
Fingering weight yarn in the following yardages
- MC: 130 yds / 119 m
- CC: 160 yds / 146 m
SUGGESTED YARN
- Knit Picks – Stroll (This is the yarn I used for my socks. I love that there are tons of colors to choose from and it’s very soft.)
- Knit Picks – Stroll Tonal
- Knit Picks – Stroll Hand Painted
- Hedgehog Fibers Socks Yarn
- Sweet Georgia Tough Love Sock
- Madelinetosh Tosh Sock
- Malabrigo Sock Yarn
OTHER TOOLS NEEDED
- Gauge Needle: US 2 (2.75 mm) — DPNs, 36″ circular for magic loop or 10″ circular needle, or size necessary to obtain gauge.
- Small Needle: Size US 1 (2.25 mm) DPNs, 36″ circular for magic loop or 10″ circular needle— one size smaller than Gauge Needle.
- Tapestry Needle
- 1 Stitch Marker
- Scissors
- Colorwork Chart Keeper – Optional
- Waste/Scrap yarn
- The Knit Kit – My FAVORITE knitting tool. I keep one in each project bag! Click here and use my link for 10% off your order of $25 or more on The Knit Kit and Summer Camp Fibers entire shop!
Gauge:
40 sts and 28 rnds = 4″ / 10 cm in chart, blocked
Glossary:
OR – Beginning of round
CC – Contrasting Color
CO – Cast on
DPNs – Double Pointed Needles
k – Knit
k2tog – Knit the next two stitches together (1 st decrease)
M – Marker
M1L – Make one left
MC – Main Color
p – Purl
PM– Place Marker
Rep – Repeat
ssk – Slip, slip, knit (1 st decrease)
sl – Slip
st/s – Stitch/es
Saguaro Blossom Socks – FREE Cactus Socks Knitting Pattern Directions
CUFF
With smaller needles and contrasting color, CO 60 (69, 78, 90) sts and join in the round, being careful not to twist your stitches.
Round 1: *K2, p1; rep from * to BOR. Continue in 2×1 ribbing until cuff measures 1″/2.5cm.
Next Round M + L only (S + XL move onto leg)
M: *K2, p1; rep from * to last three sts, k1, m1L, k1, p1. [1 st increased, 70 sts total]
L: *K2, p1; rep from * to last six sts, *k1, m1L, k1, p1; rep from * to BOR. [2 sts increased, 80 sts total]
LEG
Change to Gauge Needle.
Next, work rounds 1-36 of Chart. I like to separate each 10 sts chart repeat with stitch markers to keep me on track.
AFTERTHOUGHT HEEL PLACEMENT
Knit the first round of the chart. On the second round of the chart repeat you will be placing the waste yarn for your afterthought heel. Knit across the first 30 (35, 40, 45) sts in the chart (round 2). Pick up your waste yarn and knit across the remaining 30 (35, 40, 45) sts in stockinette with your waste yarn.
Next, transfer all the sts you just knit with waste yarn from your right needle back to your left needle. Pick up your MC and knit across the waste sts you just knit.
Now your waste yarn is placed and you can continue knitting from the chart starting on round 2.
FOOT
Continue knitting from the chart until your foot reaches your desired length. See page 4 for fit.
Note: Per the notes section, I like to knit my heel before I finish the foot and toe so that I can get the best custom fit. To do this, I knit one additional cactus section through round 18 and then knit my heel. Once my heel is finished I knit the rest of the chart until my desired length.
TOE
Once the foot reaches your desired length, pick up CC and smaller needles to knit your toe. See schematic on page 4 for the Craft Yarn Council standard foot lengths measured from the back of your heel to the end of the toe. You can also measure from your waste line, or if you are trying on your sock, the waste yarn line should line up with the center of your heel. I start my toe deacreases when the foot of my sock reaches the end of my pinky toe. See page 4 for diagram.
Next Round M + XL only
M: *K1, ssk, k32, k1, ssk, k to BOR. [2 sts decreased, 68 sts total]
XL: *K1, ssk, k42, k1, ssk, k to BOR. [2 sts decreased, 88 sts total]
Round 1: K1, ssk, k 24 (28, 34, 38) sts, k2tog, k1, pm, k1, ssk, k 24 (28, 34, 38) sts, k2tog, k1.
Round 2: k
Round 3: k1, ssk, k to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, k1, slip marker, k1, ssk, k to 3 sts before BOR, k2tog, k1.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until 24 (28, 32, 36) sts remain. Use Kitchener Stitch to graft toe sts closed. Kitchener Stitch video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7i5JwEReW0
HEEL
Your heel will be knit using smaller needles and CC. To begin you will first need to get your heel stitches back on your needles. You currently have half of your stitches knit onto a strand of waste yarn. Pick up those stitches above and below your waste yarn, plus an additional stitch at the end of each side, giving you 64 (74, 84, 94) total sts on your needles.
Note:
Make sure your sock is right side out when picking up sts. Start by picking up the stitch just before and below the beginning of your waste yarn. Then pick up the right leg of each stitch across bottom side of the waste yarn ending with the stitch just below and after where the waste yarn ends. Now you have the bottom half of your heel stitches picked up.
Repeat these steps for the stitches above your waste yarn. Once all stitches are picked up you can remove your waste yarn. I like to use the magic loop method for my heels and find moving my stitches onto the cord makes removing the stitches easier.
Next Round M + XL only
M: *K1, ssk, k34, k1, ssk, k to BOR. [2 sts decreased, 72 sts total]
XL: *K1, ssk, k44, k1, ssk, k to BOR. [2 sts decreased, 92 sts total]
Round 1: k
Round 2: K1, ssk, k 26 (30, 36, 40) sts, k2tog, k1, pm, k1, ssk, k 26 (30, 36, 40) sts, k2tog, k1.
Round 3: k
Round 4: K1, ssk, k to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, k1, slip marker, k1, ssk, k to 3 sts before BOR, k2tog, k1.
Repeat rows 3 and 4 until 24 (28, 32, 36) sts remain. Use Kitchener Stitch to graft heel sts closed. Weave in ends and block!
Now you have a cozy and fun free cactus socks knitting pattern! Check out more of my FREE knitting patterns on the blog HERE.
I would love it if you took a moment to upload your projects to Ravelry or Pin this pattern to Pinterest so you can share it with friends! Also, don’t forget to share your knit hat on Instagram so I can see what you make! Us the hashtag #saguaroblossomsocks and tag @whimsynorth
