Men’s socks with a boomerang heel and toe

Men’s socks with a boomerang heel and toe are knitted with needles using contrasting yarn colors.
The main part is worked in a bright shade of cobalt blue. The upper part of the wide ribbed cuff is made from light beige wool, which harmoniously matches the heel and toe worked in the same color.

Materials, Tools & Techniques

Sizes

40–41; 42–43; 44–45

Tools and Materials

1. Double-pointed needles (DPNs) size 2.5 mm
2. Stitch holder
3. Tapestry needle
4. Sock yarn Lana Grossa Meilenweit (50 g / 210 m). Composition: 80% wool, 20% polyamide.

Yarn usage:

• Color 1293 (cobalt blue):
  • Sizes 40–41 — 1 skein
  • Sizes 42–43 and 44–45 — 2 skeins
• Color 1301 (light beige) — 1 skein for all sizes

Stitches and Techniques

• Rib 2×2 (k2, p2)
• Stockinette stitch
• Increase 1 stitch from the bar, leaning left
• Increase 1 stitch from the bar, leaning right
• Knit 2 together, leaning left
• Knit 2 together, leaning right
• Double stitches (German short rows) – described in detail in the article on our website “Knit and knit”: Double Stitches/
• Kitchener stitch (grafting) – described in detail in the article on our website “Knit and knit”: Kitchener Stitch (Grafting) with a Needle in Stockinette Stitch.

Gauge

28 stitches × 40 rows = 10 × 10 cm (needle size 2.5 mm).

Socks with a boomerang heel and toe – Instructions

The socks are worked in the round on five double-pointed needles. The beginning of the round is located at the center back of the sock.

Using light beige yarn, cast on 60 (64, 68) stitches with needles size 2.5 mm.
Distribute stitches evenly across 4 needles: 15 (16, 17) stitches per needle.

Leg

Join in the round and work 8 rounds in 2×2 rib.

Switch to cobalt blue:

• Knit 1 round in stockinette stitch (to avoid visible color transition on purl stitches)
• Work 3 rounds in 2×2 rib

Switch to light beige:

• Knit 1 round in stockinette stitch
• Work 7 rounds in 2×2 rib

Continue in cobalt blue 2×2 rib to a height of:

• 12 cm (size 40–41)
• 12.5 cm (size 42–43)
• 13 cm (size 44–45)

Gusset (Instep Increases)

Switch to stockinette stitch.
Work increases at the back of the leg:

• Increase 1 stitch (left-leaning) 1 stitch before the end of needle 1
• Increase 1 stitch (right-leaning) after the first stitch on needle 4

Work increases every other round.

Number of increases (on needles 1 and 4):

• 40–41: 3 stitches each
• 42–43: 4 stitches each
• 44–45: 5 stitches each

Total stitches after increases:

40–41:

• Needle 1 — 18 sts
• Needle 2 — 15 sts
• Needle 3 — 15 sts
• Needle 4 — 18 sts

42–43:

• Needle 1 — 20 sts
• Needle 2 — 16 sts
• Needle 3 — 16 sts
• Needle 4 — 20 sts

44–45:

• Needle 1 — 22 sts
• Needle 2 — 17 sts
• Needle 3 — 17 sts
• Needle 4 — 22 sts

Heel

The heel is worked on needles 1 and 4.
Divide heel stitches into three parts:

• 12 / 12 / 12 (13 / 14 / 13; 15 / 14 / 15)

Place stitches from needles 2 and 3 on a holder.

Heel – Upper Part (Short Rows)

Work German short rows (double stitches). Each row shortens by one stitch.

Row 1 (RS): Knit 36 (40, 44), turn
Row 2 (WS): Make a double stitch, purl to end, turn

Continue forming double stitches and working back and forth until all side stitches become double stitches.

Middle Rows

Row 1: Knit 6 (7, 7), knit 12 (13, 15) double stitches together, turn
Row 2: Purl 24 (27, 29), purl 12 (13, 15) double stitches together, turn
Row 3: Knit 18 (20, 22)

Heel – Lower Part (Extended Rows)

Now gradually extend rows:

Repeat working double stitches and knitting/purling until all double stitches are resolved and full heel stitches are restored.

Foot and Gusset Decreases

Switch to cobalt blue. Return held stitches to needles 2 and 3.
Work in the round in stockinette stitch.

Decrease every other round:

• Needle 1: knit to last 3 sts, k2tog (right-leaning), k1
• Needles 2 & 3: knit
• Needle 4: k1, k2tog (left-leaning), knit to end

Continue until original stitch count is restored.

Knit until foot length reaches:

• 21.5 cm (40–41)
• 23 cm (42–43)
• 24 cm (44–45)

Toe (Boomerang)

Transfer stitches from needles 2 and 3 to a holder.
Divide stitches on needles 1 and 4 into three parts: 10 / 10 / 10 (11 / 10 / 11; 12 / 10 / 12).

Toe – Lower Part

Work short rows with double stitches, decreasing until all side stitches become double stitches.

Middle Rows

Work 2 transitional rows, knitting double stitches together.

Toe – Upper Part

Extend rows again using double stitches until all stitches are restored.

Finishing the Toe

Place stitches from needles and holder onto two needles.
Cut yarn leaving a 40 cm tail.
Graft stitches using Kitchener stitch.

Finishing

Weave in all ends.
Knit the second sock in the same way.

Conclusion

This article explains how to knit men’s socks with a boomerang heel and toe using contrasting yarn colors.
We hope that with these detailed instructions, you will easily create a beautiful and comfortable pair of socks.

Read other articles on our website “Knit and rnit@ about knitting men’s socks:

1. Men’s socks with 5 needles step-by-step description.

2. Stylish Men’s Knit Socks with a Hybrid Heel and Boomerang Toe.

3. Socks with heels in circular rows.

4. Cozy slippers in bulky yarn.