I've been refining my generic sock recipe for a while now, and I've finally settled on one I like.
These fit my little feet (size 5.5/6 US women's), but they can be easily adjusted. This is just a general recipe and assumes previous sock knowledge.
Cast-on 64 stitches using the German Twisted Cast-On. (see http://www.knittinghelp.com/video/play/german-twisted-cast-on for a quick tutorial)
Cuff: knit in 1x1 ribbing until there are 20 rounds.
Leg: Switch to 3x1 ribbing until there are 80 rounds (including cuff). Around round 78, rotate stitch placement, or just knit it as *k1,p1,k2*
Rotate by 2 stitches: Before starting the heel flap, rotate the placement of the stitches on the needles so that the stitch pattern per needle is (k1, p1, k2)* This just makes the pattern along the top of the foot look more balanced.
Heel flap: standard (sl 1, k1)* on RS rows and sl 1 (p)* for WS rows until 16 elongated stitches (or 32 rows).
Turn the heel: knit half + 2 (18 stitches), ssk, k1, turn. sl 1 wyif, p5, p2tog, p1, turn. sl 1 wyib, k6, ssk, k1, turn. sl 1 wyif, p7, p2tog, p1, turn. continue, increasing by 1 each time until all stitches are worked.
Gusset: pick up stitches (about 18 on each side).
Odd rounds: knit across needle 1. work in pattern across needles 2 & 3. knit across needle 4.
Even rounds: needle 1: knit to 3 stitches before end, k2tog, k1. needles 2 &3: work in pattern across instep. needle 4: k1, ssk, knit to end.
Until back to 16 stitches on each needle.
Foot: work in pattern until there are 65 rounds from the pickup along the heel flap.
Garter stitch short-row toe: Start working on the bottom of the foot. Knit to 1 before the end, slip, wrap, return final stitch, turn. Knit to 1 before the end, slip, wrap, return, turn.
Knit until 1 before previously wrapped stitch, slip, wrap, return, turn. Repeat until 8 stitches remain unwrapped.
Do ONCE: Knit to wrapped stitch, slip, wrap, return, turn. Knit to wrapped stitch, slip, wrap, return, turn.
Knit to wrapped stitch, knit 1 wrapped stitch, slip next stitch, wrap, return, turn. Repeat this until all stitches are worked. Knit one more row, slipping first stitch.
Kitchener toe to instep.
Weave in ends.
Done.
