The wedge toe is the most common technique used to finish hand-knit socks. This method creates a gradually rounded toe shape by working decreases on both sides of the foot. In the final step, the top and bottom of the sock are grafted together using the Kitchener stitch to create a seamless finish. The length and pointiness of the wedge toe can be adjusted by changing the number of decrease rows and plain rows (rows without decreases). This allows the toe shape to be customized to the specific shape of the wearer’s foot.
In this article, we will learn how to knit a standard wedge toe and variations with specific stitch counts.
Size, Stitch numbers
Child 52 sts(stitches)
Teen 56 sts
Adult (woman’s XS/S/M/L) 60, 64, 68, 72 sts
The sock yarn weight (also known as 4-ply) is used to calculate these stitches.You will need to adjust the number of stitches if you are using a different weight yarn such as sport, DK, or worsted. You may notice that all of the stitch numbers are multiples of 4. It doesn’t have to be that number, but it has to be at least a multiple of 2 because when you use the magic loop technique, you have to split the stitches between two needles and graft them later. When using double-pointed needles, put half the stitches on one needle and half on two needles.
Standard Wedge Toe
Divide the round into two halves: instep and sole.
Rnd 1: *K1, ssk, knit to 3 sts before end of instep(or sole), k2tog, k1; repeat from * once more. 4 sts decreased.
Rnd 2: Knit.
Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until about one-third of the stitches remain, ending with Rnd 1.
Graft stitches to close the toe.
Variation #1
This toe is wider and more rounded than the standard wedge, resulting in a less tapered toe shape.
Divide the round into two halves: instep and sole.
Rnd 1: *K1, ssk, knit to 3 sts before on the needle, k2tog, k1; repeat from * once more.
Rnd 2: Knit.
Rnd 3: Knit.
Repeat Rounds 1-3 once more.
44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64 sts on the needles.
Repeat Round 1-2 for 4, 4, 5, 6, 6, 7 times.
28, 32, 32, 32, 36, 36 sts on the needles.
Repeat Round 1 for 4 times.
12, 16, 16, 16, 20, 20 sts on the needles.
Graft stitches to close the toe.
Variation #2
This variation will create a rounded toe with even less of a taper. You work plain round (no decrease) 4 times before the next decrease, then 3, 2, 1 time.
Divide the round into two halves: instep and sole.
Rnd 1: *K1, ssk, knit to 3 sts before on the needle, k2tog, k1; repeat from * once more.
Rnd 2: Knit.
Rnd 3: Knit.
Rnd 4: Knit.
Rnd 5: Knit.
48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68 sts on the needles.
Repeat Rounds 1-4 once more.
44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64 sts on the needles.
Repeat Rounds 1-3 once more.
40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60 sts on the needles.
Repeat Rounds 1-2 once more.
36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56 sts on the needles.
Repeat Round 1 for 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 9 times.
12, 16, 16, 16, 20, 20 sts on the needles.
Graft stitches to close the toe.
Change to length
By adding or removing plain rounds, you can change the toe length. To make the length shorter, remove the plain rounds at the end of the toe. To make the length longer, add plain rounds near the base of the toe.