By Seileasdar from the NHF forum.
Because people are asking me for a pattern for socks, I thought I could as well write one down for you, it's not very sophisticated, but it works fine.
I am not an English language native knitter, so please feel free to point out any unevenness in my language.
Sock knitting instructions
This recipe works with 60 stitches, it can be altered to suit your needs, but keep in mind that it is best to have a stitch count you can divide by 4 for 4 needles.
Shaft
Cast on number of stitches that is divideable by 4 (60), divide by 4 on 4 needles (15). Knit alternative knit and purl for sleeve-style top, then proceed in stockinette until desired height of shaft is reached. Keep in mind where one round ends (when reaching the starting thread again).
Heel
Now only knit parts 4 and 1 together on 1 needle (30) back and forward until middle height of heel is reached, now knit stitches 9 and 10 together, also 30 and 31, go back without taking stitches together. Leave 10 middle stitches as they are, only take together the end stitches of the middle in the next row, in this frontal row then 8 +9 and 29 + 30, return evenly, then repeat with stitches 7+8 and 28 + 29. Repeat till only middle 10 stitches are left on the needle.
Foot
Now you want to knit the foot of the sock, so that is when the other dormant two needles come back into play again. Best way is to take up the last knit off stitch of needle 3, take up a stitch from the tie-in thread, and now take up the stitches from the side stitches of the hood you just knitted and add 5 of the stitches from the remaining 10 from the top of the hood. On needle 1, now do the same, take up stitches from the side of he hood and add three at the end. You will hopefully have more than 15 stitches on needles 4 and 1, which is completely fine. Knit 2 rounds in stockinette again, then knit together the 4th and 3rd last stitch on needle 1 and the 3rd and 4th stitch on needle 4. Knit one round even, then again take together the 4th and 3rd last stitch on needle 1 and the 3rd and 4th stitch on needle 4 until you reach 15 stitches again, then go on knitting your foot until you reach about the middle of your pinkie.
Toecap
Knit together the 4th and 3rd last stitch on needle 1 and the 3rd and 4th stitch on needle 2, the 4th and 3rd last stitch on needle 3 and the 3rd and 4th stitch on needle 4, insert a normal round, then repeat. Diminish stitch count till you have about 7 stitches left, then diminish stitches on every round until only 1 stitch left per needle. This is the most fiddly one! Now transfer all 4 stitches onto one needle, from 1 first, then 4, then 2, then 3. Then finish off.
Finished
Tadaaa!! Done!
Now you only have to tidy up the threads and your sock is ready for action.
