These cozy Sheep Pattern Socks are knitted using a combination of classic stockinette stitch, stranded colorwork, and interesting shaping techniques.
The design features two less common methods: a Japanese short-row heel (boomerang heel) and a Snail toe, both of which provide an excellent fit and a neat, well-shaped finish.
Small amounts of leftover yarn can be used for the colorwork motif, allowing you to experiment with color combinations and create a truly unique pair of socks. This makes the project both practical and perfect for creative knitting.
Materials, Tools, and Knitting Techniques
Sizes
34–35; 36–37; 38–39; 40–41; 42–43.
Yarn
Sock Astra Design — 75% Superfine Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Nylon; 200 m (219 yd) per 50 g.
Color 7252 (blue-green) — 2 skeins.
Small amounts of any sock yarn in the following colors:
- dark gray;
- red;
- cream;
- green.
Needles and Tools
- 2.5 mm circular needles with an 80 cm (32″) cable;
- stitch markers;
- tapestry needle;
- waste yarn for the provisional cast-on.
Stitches and Techniques
- stockinette stitch;
- 1 × 1 ribbing;
- folded hem;
- Japanese short rows;
- Leg Chart (Sizes: 34–35; 36–37);
- Leg Chart (Sizes: 38–39; 40–41; 42–43);
- Foot Chart (Sizes: 34–35; 36–37);
- Foot Chart (Sizes: 38–39; 40–41; 42–43).
Gauge
32 sts × 38 rows = 10 × 10 cm (4 × 4″) in stockinette stitch.
How to Knit Sheep Pattern Socks
The Sheep Pattern Socks are worked from the cuff down to the toe. The upper edge is finished with a folded hem, which gives the socks a neat appearance and a comfortable fit. For improved fit around the ankle, a 1×1 rib section is worked before the heel. The boomerang heel is knitted using the Japanese short-row method. The toe is shaped with Snail spiral decreases. This combination of techniques provides a comfortable fit and a polished finish.
Folded Hem
Using waste yarn, cast on 56 (56; 60; 60; 64) sts. Join to work in the round.
Work in rounds as follows:
Rounds 1–14: Knit in stockinette stitch using red yarn.
Rounds 15–28: Change to grey-blue yarn and continue in stockinette stitch.
Round 29: Remove the waste yarn and place the live stitches onto a spare circular needle. Fold the fabric in half with the wrong sides together on the inside. Knit together one stitch from each needle (one from the red section and one from the grey-blue section) all the way around until all stitches have been joined.
Leg
Rounds 1–2: Knit in stockinette stitch.
Round 3: Increase evenly by 0 (0; 4; 4; 0) sts.
Rounds 4–6: Knit in stockinette stitch using grey-blue yarn.
Rounds 7–30: Work the Sheep chart for the leg.
Round 31: Decrease evenly by 0 (0; 4; 4; 0) sts.
Rounds 32–46: Work 1×1 ribbing.
Rounds 47–49: Knit in stockinette stitch.
Boomerang Heel
The Sheep Pattern Socks feature a boomerang heel worked using the Japanese short-row method.
The heel is worked back and forth over the stitches of the back half of the sock. Turning points are marked with markers attached to the working yarn, creating an elastic fabric without holes.
For a better fit, incorporate 1 (1; 1; 2; 2) sts from each side of the front half of the sock into the heel.
You should now have 30 (30; 32; 34; 36) heel stitches.
Divide the heel stitches into three sections: 10/10/10 (10/10/10; 11/10/11; 11/12/11; 12/12/12) sts.
Upper Heel
Row 1 (RS): Knit to the last stitch of the row. Turn without knitting the final stitch. The yarn remains in front of the work.
Row 2 (WS): Slip the first stitch purlwise and attach a marker to the working yarn, pulling it snugly. Purl to the last stitch. Turn.
Row 3 (RS): Slip the first stitch and attach a marker to the working yarn. Knit to the stitch marked by the previous turn. Turn.
Row 4 (WS): Slip the first stitch and attach a marker to the working yarn. Purl to the stitch marked by the previous turn. Turn.
Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until all stitches in the side sections have been incorporated into the turning points.
Intermediate Rows
Row 1 (RS): Knit to the first turning point. Pull the marker attached to the turning yarn and lift the strand onto the left needle as if it were a knit stitch. Remove the marker and knit the lifted strand together with the next stitch using a right-leaning decrease.
Work all turning points of the first side section in the same manner.
Knit across the stitches of the front half of the sock.
Then work all turning points of the second side section in the same way.
Row 2: Knit all stitches.
Lower Heel
Row 1 (RS): Knit across the stitches of the center heel section. Turn.
Row 2 (WS): Attach a marker to the working yarn. Slip the first stitch and purl to the next turning point. Turn.
Row 3 (RS): Attach a marker to the working yarn. Slip the first stitch and knit to the turning point marked with a marker. Pull the marker, lift the strand onto the left needle as if it were a knit stitch, remove the marker, and knit the lifted strand together with the next stitch using a right-leaning decrease. Turn.
Row 4 (WS): Attach a marker to the working yarn. Slip the first stitch and purl to the turning point marked with a marker. Pull the marker, lift the strand onto the left needle as if it were a knit stitch, return the slipped stitch from the right needle to the left needle, and purl it together with the lifted strand as one stitch. Turn.
Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until all stitches of the side sections have been incorporated.
Foot
Redistribute 1 (1; 1; 2; 2) sts from each side of the heel back to the top of the sock.
Work in stockinette stitch for 6 (7; 8; 9; 10) cm.
Then work the Sheep chart for the foot.
After completing the chart, knit 1 round.
Snail Toe
The Sheep Pattern Socks feature a Snail toe.
To begin the toe, divide the stitches of both the upper and lower foot into two equal sections. Each section should contain 14 (14; 15; 15; 16) sts. Place markers between the sections.
Round 1: *P2tog, knit to the next marker, slip marker. Repeat from * 4 times.
Round 2: Knit all stitches.
Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until 8 stitches remain.
Cut the yarn, leaving a short tail. Thread the tail through the remaining stitches using a tapestry needle, pull tight to close the opening, and secure on the inside.
Knit the second sock in the same way.
Your Sheep Pattern Socks are now complete.
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