The Vanilla Bean Cupcake Socks are inspired by one of my other creative loves: baking! I love the flavour of vanilla bean a lot, so I add it to this fabulous and simple recipe from a baking blogger I’ve been following for many years: Baking Bites. But who can resist also adding a rainbow flair to the batter? I definitely can’t, so I often gently stir in an embarrassingly-large amount of sprinkles at the last minute before they go in the oven as well. Why not?

Pattern Description

This pattern is also a recipe — for well-fitted toe-up socks! They have a gusset and heel flap heel using German short rows and a unisex 2x2-rib cuff. They are available in five foot circumferences and the pattern provides formulas to assist you in figuring out exactly when to start the gussets to ensure a perfect fit, no matter what your row gauge or foot size. It also provides guidelines for calculating calf increases to accommodate any leg shape or sock height.

This pattern requires the knitter to be able to knit a small circumference in the round and is method-neutral, so it is easy to use whichever sock knitting technique you prefer. It clearly explains all techniques required and provides links to useful video tutorials, so the pattern is easily accessible to a beginner sock knitter.

Yarn Requirements and Sizing

Sizes available: XS (S, M, L, XL) — 48 (56, 64, 72, 80) st — 15.5 (18, 20.5, 23, 25.5) cm / 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) inch foot circumferences with completely customizable foot lengths and leg heights.

Yarn usage will vary widely depending on your sizing and gauge. I recommend having at least 225 (250, 275, 300, 325) m / 250 (275, 300, 325, 350) yards available.

Since it is a plain sock, this pattern can accommodate a wide variety of colourway types. Because of the heel style, however, note that a self-striping yarn or smooth gradient will lose its continuity across the gusset and around the heel. If you’re looking for an easy sock pattern that does not distort those types of yarns, check out my Vanilla Bean Layer Cake Socks or my Chinstrap Heel Socks.

These socks are rated 1/5 — Beginner — on my sock pattern difficulty scale. This is because they are written specifically for first-time toe-up sock knitters with very flexible sizing, no patterning, and lots of helpful resources.