sock sizing dramas

Sunday, November 20, 2005

So I am too slack to show you photos of what I am knitting at the moment but I am already thinking about the next big thing. After looking at yiaAnn’s gorgeous socks this morning it struck me that Elfin might be a much better pattern for my Koigu than Jaywalker because it is toe up and I am worried about yardage. But there are issues and I need help from more experienced sock knitters.

Firstly colour wise I would prefer to use the Koigu I have for Jaywalker and something greener for Elfin (or another lace leaf patter). But we have large feet around here (my mother and I have a 9.5″ foot circumference and we are the smallest) and it makes me worry about getting enough sock out of a skein of Koigu, which makes toe up appealing. The question that is bothering me is what the circumference of a sock for a 9.5″ foot should be? Do I take off an inch and go for 8.5″ or 20% (as suggested by this knitlist sock tips page) which would be just under 8″. In which case a ladies medium sock would suddenly be the right size for our large feet?? 9.5″ seems to a really unfortunate foot circumference. All the socks I want to knit come in 8″ and 9″ sizes, until now I have been assuming 8″ would be too tight, but the Spearfish socks, which were the 9″ size, were too big (though not huge) - just as well they are not for me.

I guess the question is, how much negative ease do you think a sock needs? If I should be knitting 8.5″ socks and the patterns are all for 8″ and 9″ where do I add the extra stitches? To the sole? And how do you manage that at the heel, or when the leg is fully patterned with a one inch-ish pattern repeat? And finally, perhaps, could I knit Jaywalker toe up do you think? It seems like the pattern would look fairly similar in reverse?

6 Comments

Comment by Cara on 20/11/2005 @ 8:30 am

I know for sure someone in the KAL is converting the pattern to toe-up. The thing about the Jaywalker patter is that it’s VERY tight. There’s isn’t much give at all. Maybe you could go up a needle size and do the larger sock? That might work. I hope it works out!

Comment by Purly Whites on 20/11/2005 @ 9:07 am

I’d go for the 8″ size for you rather than futzing with reworking the pattern. I usually knit my socks with 1.5″ of negative ease and it works for me. Although you might want to approach it with the attitude that this is a test that will make sock knitting in the future easier, since the first few times is always a learning experience. That way if you end up with it too big or too little, you (hopefully) won’t feel so bad.

Also, keep in mind that koigu tends to grow with washings, so for erring on the side of too small might be wise.

Comment by Julia on 21/11/2005 @ 5:12 am

If it’s a tight sock pattern, then you’ll want the circumference to be fairly close to your actual measurement. For a pattern with normal ease, I usually go 1/2 inch down. I like my socks fitted, so that formula works for me. You’ll have a little more latitude if your sock yarn has some elastic material in it.

Finally, there is the “fist” test (I think I got it from Nancy Bush, but perhaps from Priscilla Gibson-Roberts). If you can put your balled up fist into the leg of the sock it should go over your heel as well.

Hope this helps!

xox, J

P.S. PW is right - Koigu does grow with washing!

Comment by Sarah G. on 22/11/2005 @ 7:09 am

I have recently knit the Elfine pattern and it does pull in quite a bit. Maybe shoot for 8.5″?

Comment by Natalia on 22/11/2005 @ 12:18 pm

I got your comment, and posted a quick explanation of where the 38 st to 32 sr transitions are tucked in to the original cuff-down jaywalkers.

I usually go down 10%, and get a comfortably snug sock.

Comment by Pigwotknits on 22/11/2005 @ 8:21 pm

I’ve been having tension and sizing issues with Jaywalker. I’ve got large (9.5″) feet too and I think my tension on 2.25mm was too tight. I’m currently trying it on 2.5mm dpns and adding 8 extra stitches (one in each straight section) and it looks pretty big. I’m going to knit it to the heel and then decide whether it’s OK or enormous. It’s the lack of stretchiness that’s most confusing. With a mostly stocking stitch or ribbed sock, I wouldn’t worry too much as it stretches, but Jaywalkers don’t stretch much. I’d swatch and swatch again (in the pattern) and see how stretchy it is before deciding on how much ease.

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.

RSS feed for comments on this post.