Sock Anatomy

Depending on how a sock is constructed, there are several parts that make up the anatomy of a sock.  Patterns rely on having a knowledge of these parts.  Keep in mind that there are many ways a sock can be put together.

First Example: Top-Down Sock

As you might expect a top-down sock is worked starting at the top of the sock and continues on down to the toe to finish. 

In this example, I’ve knit what I consider to be a pretty standard pattern.  When knitting what is called a top-down or cuff-down sock, the parts you will be working with are as follows:

The CAST ON is done in red.

The CUFF is in yellow.

The LEG is done in blue.

The HEEL FLAP is green.

The HEEL TURN is in purple.

The GUSSET is gray.

The FOOT is knit in orange.  (The top of the foot is called the INSTEP and the bottom is called the SOLE.)

The TOE is black.

For a top down sock, the bind off is done at the toe using a special grafting stitch called the Kitchener stitch.

Of course, this isn’t the only way to knit a sock, but it’s a pretty popular one.  This is the one I first learned, so it’s the one I first teach.