Inspo for Socktober: 17 sock patterns to cast on this October
There is something about a freshly finished pair of socks that makes you want to start the next pair straight away, and October is the loveliest excuse to do just that. Socktober is the month when knitters everywhere cast on socks together, so whether this is your very first pair or your fifteenth, it's an awesome time to join in.
We've been gathering sock patterns we love and have consolidated them here for your ease of reference. Nine of them are free, so fret not if you'd like to try sock knitting before buying a pattern. The other eight are paid patterns from independent designers whose work we admire, and they're well worth supporting.
Free patterns to get you started
Patchwork House Socks by autumngeisha (fingering)
Scrappy DK Socks by Stephen West (DK)
Fun Striped Socks by Purl Soho (fingering)
Anna Socks by Amanda Morse (fingering)
Sneakersok by Debbie van Noort (light fingering)
Basic Unisex Socks by Yulia Ilinkova (DK)
Slow Morning DK by Camille Heng (DK)
Mountain Socks by Rachel Nutting (fingering)
Biscuit Socks by Fluffy Fibers (DK)
Paid patterns worth investing in
Rhubarb and Custard Socks by Zanete Knits (fingering)
Unravel Memories Socks by Zanete Knits (fingering)
January Socks by Kaitlin Barthold (fingering)
Kurrajong by Verena Cohrs (fingering)
Flowerknot Socks by Laura Moorats (DK)
Skipping Stones Socks by KnittenKristen (fingering)
Field of Poppies Sock Set by Stone Knits (light fingering)
Sunday Stroll Socks by Sari Nordlund (fingering)
A small note before you choose your skein: most of the yarns below are fingering weight, so they're intended for the fingering and light fingering patterns, while Rosarios4 Alvor and Isager Merilin are sport weight, a touch heavier. A few of the patterns above are written for DK, so if one of those has caught your eye, bring the pattern in and we'll happily help you find the right yarn for it.
Get your supplies
Most of the sock yarns we've picked for Socktober have a little nylon spun in, so your socks hold up to being worn and loved.
Isager Sock: 40% easy wash alpaca, 40% easy wash merino, 20% recycled nylon, 50g / 193m
By Kiilerich Silje: 75% superwash merino, 25% nylon, 100g / 425m
La Bien Aimée Merino Super Sock: 75% superwash merino, 25% nylon, 100g / 425m
Hungry for Yarn Super Soft Merino: 80% superwash merino, 20% nylon, 100g / 400m
Nirani Luxe Yarns Merino Soft Sock: 85% superwash merino, 15% nylon, 100g / 400m
Holst Garn Highland Sock: 80% superwash highland wool, 20% nylon, 50g / 209m
Mini sock sets from Hungry for Yarn and Nirani Luxe Yarns: 80% merino, 20% nylon, fingering weight minis, lovely for stripes, heels and toes
Urth Yarns Uneek Sock Kit: 75% superwash extrafine merino, 25% nylon, 50g, self-striping
That said, sometimes we need not add nylon to merino to make socks. Plant fibres like ramie and linen bring their own strength to a yarn, so these are lovely options too, especially if you'd like a pair made from natural fibres only.
Pascuali Pinta: 60% extrafine merino, 20% mulberry silk, 20% ramie, 50g / 212m, fingering
Rosarios4 Alvor: 50% wool, 50% linen, 100g / 310m, sport
Isager Merilin: 80% wool, 20% linen, 50g / 208m, sport
Learn with us: Socks to Call Your Own
If you'd love to knit your pair alongside others, our new five-week workshop, Socks to Call Your Own, runs on Sundays at 3pm on 18 October, 25 October, 1 November, 8 November and 15 November 2026. You can find all the details and book your seat here.
Cast on with us
Socks are better in pairs, and so is knitting. Whichever pattern you choose, cast on with us this October and tag #YHSolemates so we can cheer you on and see your socks grow.
Enjoy crafting! :)