The Free Apple Orchard ruffle socks knitting pattern include 3 adult sizes to make textured frilly top socks for women.
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Apple Orchard Ruffle Socks Free Knitting Pattern
The Apple Orchard Knit Ruffle Socks
If you’re anything like me, you love a knitting project that feels just a little bit special. Something with texture, personality, and thoughtful details that make people ask, “Did you make those?” That’s exactly what inspired my Free Apple Orchard Ruffle Socks Knitting Pattern.
The Apple Orchard Socks were named after the yarn I originally used, “Apple Picking,” and they carry that same cosy, early-autumn feeling. I always picture crisp air, fallen leaves, and your favourite sandals getting one last outing before the season changes.
These socks are designed to look especially cute peeking out of your Birkenstocks, with a soft, frilly cuff that adds just the right amount of charm without being over the top.
This is a cuff-down knit with a beautiful textured pattern flowing throughout the entire sock, paired with a classic heel flap and gusset construction.
The combination gives you a sock that feels timeless and practical, while still having that feminine frill at the top that makes it stand out. I designed this pattern for knitters who enjoy a bit more detail and structure in their projects, so it’s not a beginner pattern.
If you’re already comfortable knitting socks, though, this is a really satisfying make that keeps you engaged the whole way through.
The free pattern includes three women’s sizes, I wanted to make sure you could get a comfortable, well-fitted sock.
How To Knit The Apple Orchard Ruffle Socks
To knit your own pair of Apple Orchard Ruffle Socks, you’ll need a set of US 1 (2.25 mm) double-pointed needles or circular needles, depending on your preferred method for knitting small circumferences.
The free pattern works beautifully with fingering weight yarn, and you’ll need one skein with at least 100 g, or approximately 437 yards (400 m), to complete a pair.
For my longer sample, I used Tippy Tree Yarns Super Sock, which is a 4-ply blend of 75% superwash merino wool and 25% nylon in the colour “Apple Picking.” For my shorter version, I used a 2-ply yarn from Palmer Yarn Company made from 80% merino wool, 10% cashmere, and 10% nylon in the colour “Moss.” I also used a small amount of contrasting yarn, about 20 g, for the cuffs, heels, and toes to add a little extra visual interest.
Gauge is important for this pattern to ensure the socks fit well and wear comfortably over time. You’re aiming for 36 stitches and 52 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch, blocked, using US 1 (2.25 mm) needles, or whatever size you need to achieve that gauge.
As you work through the pattern, you’ll create the signature frill at the cuff first, followed by the textured leg and foot, and then move into the heel flap and gusset construction. It’s a methodical, engaging knit that rewards patience and attention to detail, and the finished socks feel just as good to wear as they do to make.
If you’re ready to cast on your own pair of frilly, textured ruffle socks, you can download the full pattern and follow along step by step. Take your time with it and enjoy the process. This is one of those projects where every stitch really adds to the final result.
Free Knitting Pattern: Apple Orchard Ruffle Socks
Pattern Information:
Yarn:
One skein of any light to heavy fingering wt yarn with at least (100 g/4 oz/437 yds/400 m).
- For my longer sock sample, I used Tippy Tree Yarns, Super Sock – 4 ply, 75% SW Merino Wool + 25% Nylon in color, “Apple Picking.” (100 g/4 oz/423 m/463 yds).
- For my shorter sock sample, I used Palmer Yarn Company yarn – 2 ply, 80% Merino Wool + 10% Cashmere + 10% Nylon in color, “Moss.” (100g/4 oz/370m/400 yds).
- I also used (20 g/.71 oz/73 m/80 yds) of the Tippy Tree Yarn for my cuffs, heels, and toes.
Notions:
- Progress keeper or clip-on st marker to indicate BOR.
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Sock Blockers (optional)
Needles:
US 1 (2.25 mm) dpns or circular needles
Gauge:
36 sts + 52 rows = 4” (10 cm) on size US 1 (2.25 mm) needles OR size needed to obtain gauge in stock st (blocked).
Abbreviations:
APPROX: approximately
BEG: beginning
BO: bind off
BOR: beginning of round
CC: contrasting color
CM: centimeter
CO: cast on
CONT: continue
DEC: decrease
DPNS: double pointed needles
G: grams
INC: increase
K: knit
K2TBL: knit 2 stitches through the back
loop
K2TOG: knit 2 sts together as one
KFB: knit in front and back of stitch
(increase by one)
M: meters
MC: main color
M1L: make one left
MM: millimeters
OZ: ounces
P: purl
PSSO: pass the slipped stitch over
P-WISE: purl-wise or as if to purl
REM: remain
REP: repeat
RND(S): round(s)
RS: right side
SL: slip
SSK: slip a stitch k-wise, slip a stitch k-wise,
k the 2 slipped stitches together.
STOCK ST: stockinette stitch
ST(S): stitch(es)
TOG: together
WS: wrong side
WT: weight
WYIB: with yarn held in back
WYIF: with yarn held in front
YD(S): yard(s)
YO: yarn over
Sizes:
Size 1 (S), Size 2 (M), Size 3 (L)
To fit foot circumference: (7, 8, 9)”/(17.5, 20, 22.5) cm.
To fit foot length: (8-9, 9.25-10, 10.25-11)”/ (20.25-23, 23.5-25.5, 26-28) cm.
Copyright Notice:
Feel free to sell your finished socks made from this pattern, however, please do not copy, alter, or sell the pattern itself. For each of your listings, you must include the following: “Pattern provided by Judy Jewell of The Autumn Acorn at http://www.theautumnacorn.com“.
Want to Upgrade?
You can also purchase a PDF version of the Apple Orchard Ruffle Socks Knitting Pattern.
- 3 Sizes for adults
- Ad-Free
- Download
- Available offline
$5.00
You can also purchase this pattern from The Autumn Acorn, Etsy or Ravelry stores.
Let’s Begin The Free Knitting Pattern
Lace Pattern:
Rnd 1: Sl 1 st p-wise (WYIB), k2, PSSO, k3; rep from * to * around.
Rnd 2: K1, YO, k4; rep from * to * around.
Rnd 3: K3, sl 1 st p-wise (WYIB), k2, PSSO; rep from * to * around.
Rnd 4: K4, YO, k1; rep from * to * around.
Socks (Make 2):
Cuff: (worked in the rnd)
W/ CC yarn, CO (60, 64, 68) sts. For dpns, divide sts evenly over 3 needles. Join to k in the rnd. Place a st marker to indicate BOR.
K 1 rnd.
K2tbl, p2; rep from * to * around.
Rep this rnd 10 times.
K 1 rnd.
Ruffle:
Kfb of ea st around. This will double the number of sts. (120, 128, 136) sts
K 8 rnds.
BO all sts loosely and cut CC yarn.
Leg:
Attach MC yarn and pick up (60, 64, 68) sts from the inside/WS of the cuff, just below the bottom of the ribbing.
K 6 rnds.
Increase Rnd:
Size 1: K5, (M1l, k10) 5x, M1l, k5. (66 sts)
Size 2: K4, (M1l, k8) 7x, M1l, k4. (72 sts)
Size 3: K3, (M1l, k7) 4x, M1l, k6, (M1l, k7) 4x, M1l, k3. (78 sts)
For dpns, rearrange sts evenly over 3 needles.
K 1 rnd.
Leg Lace:
Work rnds 1-4 of Lace Pattern 10x ea (40 rnds total) for full-length socks or 5x ea (20 rnds total) for short socks.
Heel Set-Up:
For dpns, rearrange sts so that the next 36 sts are on one needle for the heel, and the remaining (30, 36, 42) sts are on two needles for the instep. Place BOR marker between heel and instep sts.
Heel Flap: (worked flat)
W/ CC yarn, working back and forth on heel sts only, rep the next two-row
sequence (16, 16, 17) times ea (32, 32, 34) rows total ending on a Row 2 rep.
RS – Row 1) Sl 1 st p-wise wyib, k1; rep from * to * across, turn.
WS – Row 2) Sl first st p-wise wyif, then p across row, turn.
Heel Turn Set-Up: (worked flat)
RS Row 1) Sl first st p-wise wyib, k18 sts, ssk, k1, turn.
WS Row 2) Sl first st p-wise wyif, p3, p2tog, p1, turn.
Heel Turn: (worked flat)
Rep the following 2 rows 7 times, 14 total rows until all heel sts have been used.
RS – Row 1) Sl first st p-wise wyib, k to 1 st before gap, ssk, k1, turn.
WS – Row 2) Sl first st p-wise wyif, p to 1 st before gap, p2tog, p1, turn.
20 sts remaining for heel.
Heel Gusset Set-Up: (worked in the rnd)
W/ MC yarn and an additional needle, k10 sts and leave needle hanging. K10 sts, pick up 18 sts along the edge of the heel flap. Adjust for new BOR.
Work LACE pattern across the (30, 36, 42) instep sts, pick up and k 18 sts along the other edge of the heel flap, k to BOR.
*If using dpns, your sts should now be divided over four needles.
*Adjust marker for new BOR.
Heel Gusset Decreases: (worked in the rnd)
Rnd 1) K to 3 sts before end of heel sts, k2tog, k1, work LACE pattern over instep sts, k1, ssk, k to BOR.
Rnd 2) K to instep sts, work LACE pattern over next (30, 36, 42) instep sts, k to BOR. Rep these 2 rnds until you have 18 sts left on ea of the 2 needles holding the heel sts and (15, 18, 21) sts left on ea of the other two needles holding the instep sts. (66, 72,78) sts total.
For a narrow foot, you can decrease the heel gusset until there are (9, 12,
15) sts left on each needle.
Remember to work Rnds 1-4 of LACE
Pattern over the (30, 36, 42) instep sts a top of foot WHILE at same time,
CONTINUING Rnds 1 + 2 of the gusset decreases over the 36 heel sts.
*Finish with Rnd 4 of lace to complete the sequence.
*Work a total of 20 rnds.
Foot Lace: (worked in the rnd)
If using dpns, distribute sts among 3 dpns with foot sts on two needles and the instep sts on one needle. Move BOR m to just before instep sts.
You will cont to k the foot sts while at same time working the Lace Pattern over the (30,36, 42) instep sts until you are approx (2,1.5, 2)” / (3.8 cm) from the beg of your toes. End by working either Rnd 1 or 3 to reconcile the st count. *approx (49, 61, 73) rnds total.
Adjusting Foot Stitches:
Size 1 only:
Rnd 1) Work lace pattern over the 30 instep sts, K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts of foot sts, k2tog, k1.
Rnd 2) Work lace pattern over the instep sts, k foot sts.
Rep Rnds 1 & 2 two more times each.
Instep and foot should both have 30 sts.
Size 3 only:
Attach CC yarn and cut MC yarn, k 1 rnd.
Rnd 1) K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts of instep sts, k2tog, k1.
Rnd 2) K
Rep Rnds 1 & 2 two more times each.
Instep and foot should both have 36 sts.
Toe Decreases: (worked in the rnd)
Sizes 1 & 2 only: Attach CC yarn and cut MC yarn, k 1 rnd.
All sizes: Rep the following 2 rnds until you have (22,24, 30) sts rem in total.
Rnd 1) K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts of instep sts, k2tog, k1.
K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts of heel sts, k2tog, k1. (4 sts dec)
Rnd 2) K
*End your toe decrease section with a Rnd 1 row.
Kitchener Stitch Toe Closure Set-Up:
(use tapestry needle + an 8” (20 cm) piece of matching yarn).
If using dpns, distribute sts evenly over 2 needles. Remember to hold your yarn tail to the right while seaming.
NOTE: To avoid dog ears, skip the next 2 set-up steps, and proceed to Kitchener Stitch Toe Closure section. At the end of your toe closure, drop the last 2 sts off the needle once you’ve worked them. Otherwise, follow the next 2 steps.
- Insert needle p-wise through first st in front, leave on.
- Insert needle k-wise through first st in back, leave on.
Kitchener Stitch Toe Closure:
Step 1: Insert needle in front st k-wise, slip off.
Step 2: Insert needle in next front st p-wise, leave on.
Step 3: Insert needle in first back st p-wise, slip off.
Step 4: Insert needle in next back st k-wise, leave on.
Rep steps 1-4 until all sts have been worked. Cut yarn.
Finishing + Blocking:
If you would like your socks to look stunning, simply soak them in warm water + mild soap for at least one hour and then wrap them in a towel to remove excess water.
Slide your damp socks onto sock blockers, adjusting them so that the heel is positioned properly, and the stitches are centered evenly on each side of the blocker.
If you don’t have sock blockers, just lay your socks flat to dry, they may not look as cute, but they’ll fit well just the same. Weave in all loose ends and enjoy!
Lace Pattern: (mult of 6 sts)
Rnd 1: Sl 1 st p-wise (WYIB), k2, PSSO, k3; rep from * to * around.
Rnd 2: K1, YO, k4; rep from * to * around.
Rnd 3: K3, sl 1 st p-wise (WYIB), k2, PSSO; rep from * to * around.
Rnd 4: K4, YO, k1; rep from * to * around.
