Knit Cat Socks

Your cat may not thank us for these kitty paw socks, but you will!

By: Kristi Kittelson for AllFreeKnitting.com

Knit Cat Socks

By: Kristi Kittelson for AllFreeKnitting.com

If you love your cat so much that you want to match her, you're not alone. Cat lovers everywhere, rejoice! These Knit Cat Socks will match the Clown Sock Knitting Pattern you made for yourself... that is, if you can get your cat to wear them for more than five seconds. Free cat patterns are hard to come by since cats don't really like wearing clothes, but these socks are worth knitting for the photoshoot alone. Who knows? If your little feline is sleepy enough, you might be able to get her to wear them for an extended period of time!

Intermediate

Knitting Needle Size1 or 2.25 mm, 2 or 2.75 mm, Double-Pointed Knitting Needles (DPNs)

Yarn Weight(1) Super Fine (27-32 stitches to 4 inches)

Gauge41 sts and 54 rows = 4" in stockinette st on larger needles.

Finished SizeSmall size measures around 1 ¼" from heel to toe. Large size (given in parentheses throughout the pattern) measures around 2" from heel to toe. Socks will stretch slightly, but measure your cat's paw before choosing size.

Materials List

Premier Yarns Wool-Free Sock Stripes yarn in 42-04 Farm Stand - Less than 1 skein
Set of 4 double-pointed knitting needles in US size 1½ (2.5mm)
Set of 4 double-pointed knitting needles in US size 2 (2.75mm)
Stitch holder or spare needle to hold sts

Instructions

Note: Socks are made to fit cat's front paws. Due to the unique shape of a cat's back paws, these socks will likely not fit them.

Cuff

CO 36 (48) sts using the longtail method. Join in the round.

Round 1: Using smaller needles, *k2, p2; rep from * around.

Rep round 1 until sock cuff measures ½". Switch to larger needles.

Leg

Rounds 1 & 2: *p3, sl3wyif; rep from * around.
Rounds 3-5: k around
Round 6: k4, *k1uls, k5; rep from * around, end k1uls, k1.
Rounds 7 & 8: *sl3wyif, p3; rep from * around.
Rounds 9-11: k around
Round 12: k1, *k1uls, k5; rep from * around, end k1uls, k4.

Rep rounds 1-12 two times total, or until sock leg measures around 1" from cuff.

Heel Flap

Slip 18 (24) sts on spare needle. Transfer remaining sts to second needle. Begin working flap flat on second needle, beginning on the wrong side.

Row 1: sl1, p across.
Row 2: *sl1, k1; rep from * across.

Rep rows 1 & 2 until heel flap measures around ½", ending after a WS row.

Heel Turn

Small size only:

Row 1: sl1, k11, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 2: sl1, p7, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 3: sl1, k8, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 4: sl1, p9, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 5: sl1, k10, ssk.
Row 6: sl1, p10, p2tog.
Row 7: sl1, k across.

Large size only:

Row 1: sl1, k13, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 2: sl1, p5, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 3: sl1, k6, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 4: sl1, p7, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 5: sl1, k8, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 6: sl1, p9, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 7: sl1, k10, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 8: sl1, p11, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 9: sl1, k across.

Gusset

Pick up and knit 4 (6) sts off left side of heel flap.

K across the 18 (24) instep sts on the spare needle.

Pick up and knit 4 (6) sts off right side of heel flap.

K half sts off needle holding heel sts, and sl rem sts on needle holding lefthand gusset sts. Begin working in the round. The center of the heel is the beginning of the round.

Gusset Decreases

Round 1:

Needle 1: k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Needle 2: k across
Needle 3: k1, ssk, k to end.

Round 2: k around

Rep until needles 1 and 3 each have 6 (12) sts.

Foot

K around until foot measures about 1" (1¾") from beginning of heel turn.

Toe Decreases

Next round:

Needle 1: k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Needle 2: k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1
Needle 3: k1, ssk, k to end.

Rep until 12 (16) sts rem on needles.

Finishing

K across needle 1 one more time and sl needle 1 sts onto needle 3. Graft live sts together with Kitchener st. Weave in ends. Block. Rep entire pattern again for second sock.