This pattern is called “Loaded” because I wanted to use all of the techniques folks have been asking for in a single sock pattern – two at-a-time, magic loop, toe-up, German short rows, fingering (sock) weight yarn, and sized for women and men.
Pattern + video tutorial – $8 US via PayPal. 
Sizes: Women and men average width, any shoe size
Needles: Size US 2 (2.75mm) 32” circulars and double-pointed needles (DPNs are ultimately optional)
Yarn: 100 grams of fingering weight yarn (also called sock yarn or 4ply yarn)
Additional Materials: Size G or H crochet hook, a few feet of worsted-weight scrap yarn in a contrasting color, tapestry needle for weaving ends
Gauge: 8.5 stitches per inch in stockinette
If you’d like to add these socks to your Ravelry queue, you can do that here.
The yarn I used in the photo above is Turtlepurl sock yarn, in colorway Rock Paper Scissors Lizard Spock. The in-progress socks in the video is Turtlepurl sock yarn in colorway Tangled Love.
This is a more advanced pattern than many of my sock tutorials. If you’ve never knit socks before, I recommend this pattern/tutorial first, German Short Row Socks.
The double-pointed needles I use are Knitter’s Pride Bamboo. The circulars needles I use are Knitter’s Pride Zing and Addi Turbo.
My nail polish is Gelish, “I Or-kid You Not”.
Hello from your neighbor in Georgetown. During one of your sessions you featured a particular brand of sock knitting needles that come in a kit. Would like to try them but can’t seem to find any information on your website.
Sorry – not sure what you’re referring to. Were they double-pointed needles? This tutorial uses a long circular needle.
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Thinking of trying out this pattern. I have followed you for some time . I wish you would publish a book on sock knitting . I have many of your patterns but would buy the book . Judy scheihing
I am super excited to knit these, however, I am on row 3 of the first toe and it seems crazy wide for the men’s size!
It always does seem wide at first…it starts to shape up once you start the second half of the toe.
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Hi Staci –
I have a gauge problem and wondered if you have any advice? I am a very loose knitter and I typically go down a size or 2 from what a pattern suggests. With socks though, there’s only so far I can go. 🙂 I have your pattern and I’ve gone down to a US size 1, but my gauge is still 6 stitches per inch in stockinette. Years ago I knit my first pair of socks and they turned out big enough for a clown. LOL! I assume my only option is to attempt to adjust the pattern?
Colleen – wow, I don’t think I’ve ever run into this question before! You can go smaller than a US 1 needle (there are size 0, 000, and 000), but I’m not sure if that’s going to get the gauge you need for the sock to fit. If you’re comfortable with modifying sock patterns, you can do that…but it isn’t always an easy thing. Really, I think the easiest answer might be to knit patterns made for smaller sizes, like a kid-sized sock. In a very loose gauge, socks made to fit smaller feet will end up adult sized.
I hope that helps, I wish I had a different answer for you! The other thing you might want to try is practicing knitting more tightly. You can always work on changing the way you knit. In my 30s, after knitting for nearly 30 years, I decided to change from throwing to flicking. It took practice, but it can be done.
Good luck!
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Thanks for the reply Staci! Holy Cow, I had no idea needles went any smaller than 1! The 000 must be like knitting with toothpicks. 🙂 I’ve only been knitting for about 5-6 years. When I first started I was a thrower but quickly decided that continental looked so much more efficient. I forced myself to keep going until I finally got it. Even though I love the continental style, that’s when my gauge became much looser. To be honest, I really want to try double knitting. If I were to train myself back on throwing (or flicking) perhaps that would accomplish 2 things – tighter knitting and the ability to hold 2 yarns (1 in each hand).