The Tivoli Socks, Free Pattern

In April 2024, I embarked on a van trip and wanted to take advantage of this adventure to create a cute and simple sock pattern. I wanted a model that was easy to make during my trip, but also very cute. That's how I created the Tivoli socks, a basic pair of socks with a little twist: a heart pattern on the heel that stands out just above the top of the shoe when worn.

The pattern is worked in the round from top to bottom. It features a rolled hem at the top and a heart jacquard pattern.

Material: approx. 425m/467 yards of merino super sock and a few yards of a contrasting color. For substitution, I recommend choosing a soft fingering weight yarn.

Needles: 2.5mm/US1 double pointed needles or equivalent to obtain the correct gauge

Gauge 10X10 cm or 4x4in: 29 stitches X 36 rows.

Finished Sizes: 
- 35/37 or US3.5/5.5 or UK2/4 – 22 cm/8.6in foot length and 15 cm/5.9in leg height;
- 38/40 or US6.5/8 or UK5/6.5 – 24 cm/9.5in foot length and 15 cm/5.9in leg height;
- 41/43 or US8/10 or UK7/9 - 27 cm/10.6in foot length and 15 cm/5.9in leg height.

• Cast on 68/72/80m with 2.5mm/US1 double pointed needles.
• Place a marker in the middle of the round.
• Knit one round in stockinette stitch.
• Knit 1.5cm/0.6in or about 7 rounds in 1x1 rib.
• Purl one round.
• Knit 1.5cm/0.6in or about 7 rounds in 1x1 rib.
• Knit one round in stockinette stitch, connecting each stitch of the round with a stitch of the first round to create an integrated hem.
• Knit one round in stockinette stitch, decreasing:
  • 2 stitches evenly spaced = 66 stitches
  • 2 stitches evenly spaced = 70 stitches
  • 4 stitches evenly spaced = 76 stitches
• Continue knitting in rounds.
• At 8cm/3.1in or about 31st round, decrease:
  • 12 stitches evenly spaced = 54 stitches
  • 11 stitches evenly spaced = 59 stitches
  • 14 stitches evenly spaced = 62 stitches
• Continue in rounds for about 2cm/0.8in or about 40 rounds in total.
• Then knit the heart pattern, starting the round with the 7th stitch of the chart so that the heart is centered on the heel.
• After working the pattern once in height, distribute the stitches as follows:
  • Keep the first 13 stitches on the needle, slip the next 27 stitches on hold on 1 thread (without knitting them, this will be the top of the foot) and keep the last 14 stitches on the needle = 27 stitches for the heel.
  • Keep the first 14 stitches on the needle, slip the next 29 stitches on hold on 1 thread (without knitting them, this will be the top of the foot) and keep the last 15 stitches on the needle = 29 stitches for the heel.
  • Keep the first 15 stitches on the needle, slip the next 31 stitches on hold on 1 thread (without knitting them, this will be the top of the foot) and keep the last 16 stitches on the needle = 31 stitches for the heel.
• Knit the heel stitches back and forth for 5/5½/6 cm or 2/2.2/2.4in.
• Place a marker in the middle of the row. This will be the foot length measurement reference.
• Then form the heel. Heel decreases:
  • Row 1, right side: Knit until there are 8/9/9 stitches left, slip 1 stitch to the end, 1 stitch right side, pass the slipped stitch over the knitted stitch, turn.
  • Row 2, wrong side: Knit until there are 8/9/9 stitches left, slip 1 stitch to the end, 1 stitch right side, pass the slipped stitch over the knitted stitch, turn.
  • Row 3, right side: Knit until there are 7/8/8 stitches left, slip 1 stitch to the end, 1 stitch right side, pass the slipped stitch over the knitted stitch, turn.
  • Row 4, wrong side: Knit until there are 7/8/8 stitches left, slip 1 stitch to the end, 1 stitch right side, pass the slipped stitch over the knitted stitch, turn.
  • Continue in this way with 1 less stitch before each decrease until there are 13/13/15 stitches left in total for the heel.
• Knit the heel stitches, pick up and knit 13/14/16 stitches along the side of the heel, knit the 27/29/31 stitches of the top of the foot on hold and pick up and knit 13/14/16 stitches along the other side of the heel = 66/70/78 stitches.
• Knit in stockinette stitch until the middle of the heel. The rounds start here now.
• Continue in this way, decreasing on each side of the 27/29/31 stitches of the sole:
  • Knit 2 together right side the last 2 stitches before the 27/29/31 stitches and knit 2 together through the back loop right side the first 2 stitches after the 27/29/31 stitches = -2 stitches
  • Decrease in this way 8/5/9 times in total every 2 rounds = 50/60/60 stitches.
• Continue until the foot measures 13/14/16 cm or 5.1/5.5/6.3in from the heel marker.
• Place 2 markers evenly spaced on each side with 25/30/30 stitches for the top and bottom of the foot.
• Knit in stockinette stitch and decrease for the toe on each side of these 2 markers as follows:
  • Knit until there are 3 stitches left before the marker, knit 2 together right side, 2 stitches right side (the marker is between these 2 stitches), knit 2 together through the back loop right side.
  • Repeat these decreases at the other marker = - 4 stitches per round.
• Repeat these decreases 5/6/9 times in total every 2 rounds and 5/6/3 times every round = 10/12/12 stitches.
• Knit all stitches together 2 by 2= 5/6/6 stitches.
• Cut the yarn, thread it through the remaining stitches, tighten and secure. The foot measures approximately 22/24/27 cm or 8.6/9.5/10.6in from the heel marker.
• Make the second sock in the same way.
• Finally, insert an elastic thread in the hem to ensure the sock stays up (optional).

• And there you have it – a fantastic pair of cute, comfortable socks perfectly adapted to the shape of your feet!

• Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram, Facebook or Tiktok  #terrifiknits and #tivolisocks or #chaussettestivoli once you're done or add this project to your Ravelry list ! Can't wait to discover your version!