Knit & Chat: Socks don't fit? DO THIS!

In this episode of Knit & Chat we're discussing the things you can do to make sure your socks fit the best that they can! We'll chat about proper measurements, negative ease, how to choose the right heel for your foot, and how to customize the fit.
🧶 RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:
Fish Lips Kiss Heel from ‪@SoxTherapist‬
www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
Fleegle Heel (short row heel with a mini gusset)
fleeglesblog.blogspot.com/2006...
Kate Atherley Franken Sock tips for a Short Row Heel
www.moderndailyknitting.com/2...
Improving the fit of a short-row heel with ‪@RoxanneRichardson‬
• Improving heel fit wit...
Adjusting Heel Flap with Roxanne Richardson
• Using Heel Diagonal to...
Custom Socks: Knit to Fit Your Feet by Kate Atherley
amzn.to/3WpHEtF
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▶️ RELATED KNITTING VIDEOS:
Tips for Durable Socks
• Knit & Chat: Rules for...
Sock Patterns for Variegated Yarn
• 10 Fun Sock Patterns f...
YOUR Top Sock Yarns
• Your TOP 12 Sock Yarn ...
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📌 CHAPTER LINKS:
00:00 How to get a great-fitting sock
1:55 To swatch or not to swatch
6:42 Important measurements
11:34 All about ease
15:26 Choosing the right size
21:56 Which heel is right for your sock?
27:52 Heel flap and gusset modifications
38:29 Short row and afterthought heel modifications
44:45 Sock leg, foot, and toe length
🧶 MORE HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR KNITTERS 🧶
Favorite Knitting Tools & Gear: toniaknits.com/favorite-knitt...
FREE Knitting Resource Library - toniaknits.com/library/
Knitting Consultations: toniaknits.com/knitting-911/
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#nerdyknitting #knittingtips #sockknitting

[@Bean_Box_Knitting]

Don't mind me, I need to go and draw around my family's feet and measure them all. 😀 Awesome video!

[@NerdyKnitting]

Haha! 🧦🧶 It feels very silly - but it's really worth the effort!

[@lovemesomeslippers]

I remembered to trace my oldest daughters feet when we went to see her. I’m much more confident about the socks I’m just about done with. They’ll fit!

[@Bean_Box_Knitting]

@@lovemesomeslippers that's awesome! So far I have worked from people's shoe size and an idea if they have wide feet or not but this is gonna be really helpful!

[@Bean_Box_Knitting]

@@NerdyKnitting my family enjoy the silly bits of life so I think they are looking forward to it. 🤣

[@Sincyn241]

As someone with swollen feet and ankles, I knit toe-up, to measure along the way, and use simple 3x3 or 4x2 ribbing across the stop and up into the ribbed ankle. I plan for 5% negative ease and let the ribbing take up the rest for when I’m not swollen and give myself the extra 5% when I am.

[@jackieholifield5575]

What I have found is that different yarns give me different gauges also. I will note the brand of yarn I used and the result I got so next time I use that yarn I can make adjustments accordingly.

[@NerdyKnitting]

Good tip!

[@ileneklayman3440]

I also made cardboard cutouts for my husband, my son and I. I have made socks for someone else but I knew she had size 6, I looked it up on a few websites and I lucked out they were perfect fit.

[@RosieKuhnPhD]

I so appreciate the details you’ve shared. Thank you! What I love about socks is all the refining that is possible as I’m knitting. I find it a really fascinating process.

[@NerdyKnitting]

I totally agree! There's so much to explore when we're refining the fit of our socks.

[@ketoisgreat5911]

The Sock Knitting Bible by Lynne Rowe is a great book. It’s going to keep me busy for a while.

[@celestem4886]

Excellent video and advice. I was thinking about negative ease calculations for socks and this is exactly what I needed. Thank you!

[@NerdyKnitting]

Glad it was helpful!

[@pc8863]

Wonderful video! Probably the best I’ve found with all the needed information for fitting socks. Thank you so much.

[@NerdyKnitting]

I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@francesdeane3480]

My big toe is my longest, so I have developed my own toe decrease pattern and knit customized left and right socks. I keep meaning to post it on Ravelry for others to check out, but haven't gotten around to it yet 😅

[@NerdyKnitting]

I've done some anatomical toe shaping before - those socks fit so well! Interested to see your pattern when you get around to it!

[@sarahrudd4995]

I cant wear a short row heel due to a high instep, but to do tow up socks have found that the Fleegle heel works really well. Its basically a heel flap and gusset but in reverse. I want to have a go at a sweet tomato heel and see if that is any better than a standard short row heel.

[@NerdyKnitting]

I like the Fleegle heel too! And, as for high-instep alternatives, the Sweet Tomato Heel is a better fit for my instep than a regular short-row heel.

[@jenidouthit7980]

I just love your channel! And this sock is so helpful. I’m making a pair of socks right now and I’m fixing to start the hill, so I really appreciate this.

[@meryle.hawkins880]

OMG this is brilliant advice but if I followed it I would go nuts. I knit socks and I always knit a heel flap and gusset and measure a persons foot for length, I check needle size and stitch count but that’s it. I have tried short row heels and always had foot fit problems so I stick to heel flaps. I have never had problems with socks fitting beautifully. I wish I had the knowledge that you have and you are so generous in sharing it. Thank you

[@NerdyKnitting]

That knowledge mostly comes from lots of trial and error! 😁 Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@CuriousPurplePig]

A shadow wrap heel for me fits best- if I increase 2-4sts on the back a few rows before I start the heel. A flap & gusset for hubby with a square heel. He is hard on socks, and with a square heel, I can easily continue the slip sts to reinforce the bottom of the heel so the socks last. Still perfecting after 60+ pairs made though. Always experimenting. Sometimes I do a slight mod on just one sock in a pair so they are wearable (matching enough) as a pair, but I can really compare the fit. Thanks for another great video.

[@NerdyKnitting]

Sock knitting is such a rabbit hole! There are so many things you can tweak for that perfect fit - and it sounds like you are doing exactly that! 🧦

[@EsmereldaPea]

​@@NerdyKnitting- this is why sock knitting is so intimidating to me despite being an experienced and accomplished knitter. I have a very high instep and just cannot seem to get socks to fit comfortably. I even had a cardboard cutout of my foot. I've only knit one pair successfully and those were more house socks out of worsted. One pair I knitted and frogged so many times I gave up. Another lace pair is way too loose. Maybe I can finally learn enough I can get confidence to try again.

[@NerdyKnitting]

@@EsmereldaPea I think the place to start with a very high instep is with a heel flap and gusset pattern - it will provide more room for the foot. Short-row heels (unless heavily modified) just don't fit as well for a high instep. Then it's a matter of playing around with the number of rows for the heel flap which will affect how many stitches you pick up on each side for the gusset. If you have a basic sock pattern with a heel flap and gusset, just do a bit of rib and stockinette and do the heel part of the sock only before finishing with a bit of stockinette and rib again - you can work on getting the right fit for the heel without knitting a whole sock.

[@EsmereldaPea]

@NerdyKnitting - you don't know how helpful this is! I've been dying short rows and now it makes sense. Ilk give what you suggested a go. You've got a new subscriber!

[@TreebeardsHome]

This is thorough & helpful advice. Your knowledge of knitting is excellent. Thank you. Have a great day.

[@NerdyKnitting]

Thank you!

[@maryfrank2175]

Could you PLEASE do a Tutorial on the Mini-Gusset for high insteps? I've read the articles on this method, and know I need it, but exactly HOW to do that? Where do I add the stitches, and how do I knit it in the gusset? PLEASE? I have 3" of difference between my ball and Instep. It's hard for me, being relatively new to knitting, to understand. I LOVE this tutorial! I appreciate that you included the High Instep and heel change methods. It's really hard to find info on the High Instep, esp. And when you do find it they speak in Advanced terms, not like you, in plain English :) Not too many videos on it. You gave us SO much info and I sincerely Thank You!

[@NerdyKnitting]

It will probably be a while before I get to around to doing more specific videos on sock fit but Roxanne Richardson has some great videos that might be helpful: This one on improving the fit of short-row heels: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5mcqHR7mqucr6c And this one on adding space for a high instep with short-row heels: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3i6c2CtfKmaatU For heel flap and gusset - using the heel diagonal to adjust fit: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqS7qWCVn6-sY8U

[@tocapey9966]

Thanks for sharing ❤

[@karenb136]

Oh wow this is a fantastic video. Thanks so much for sharing all this information!

[@NerdyKnitting]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sallykeller7942]

I'll get back to your video. I need to digest what you are saying. Thank you so much! I thought I was doing something wrong. I need to make some adjustments. THANK YOU!😊

[@NerdyKnitting]

Glad it was helpful!

[@user-gk7zq3pg2g]

You’re wonderful. Thank you for your time and knowledge 🙏🏻👏🏻👍🏻

[@NerdyKnitting]

Thanks for watching!

[@louisej1905]

Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge.

[@NerdyKnitting]

My pleasure!

[@michellebabin7582]

Wowwwww what a nice video those explanation s are very clear. Thank you very much

[@NerdyKnitting]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sallykeller7942]

Thanks again! ❤❤❤

[@zaineb.a.hameed6203]

That was very informative. Thank you.

[@NerdyKnitting]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lovemesomeslippers]

This is really helpful. I have a kid with bony feet and I haven’t tried different heels for her. Thanks!

[@NerdyKnitting]

You're welcome!

[@user-dp3iu3hz7u]

Thank for your information! I feel like I do have a high instep. So I only make socks with a heel flap and gusset. I’m not a fan of the afterthought heel. I have made mittens with the afterthought thumb. But still not a fan!! Your instructions are fantastic. Thanks!

[@carblarson8868]

This is all very helpful and I think I need to watch a few more times. I did some measurements and I indeed do have a high instep, about 1.4” difference between the widest part of my foot and instep. To add more difficulty, I have a narrow heal and probably long, as I’m tall. Also a short foot, other than Morton’s foot where that one toe is longer. I’ve had super difficulty all my life in fitting into shoes or boots. No high leather boots for me. I can’t even get my foot into one that is actually a couple sizes too big. When I was young I used to be so embarrassed and thought my size 7 foot was so huge, as I couldn’t fit it into boots. I internalized that so much that when I blurted out one day shopping that my big foot couldn’t fit into those shoes, prompting the clerk to inform me otherwise.

[@NerdyKnitting]

Isn't it strange how one thing can affect our whole body image - I felt the same about my 9.5 wide-foot - I was so embarrassed about having such large feet when I was a teenager.

[@loridesrosiers]

Great topic! Well done! Now I want to cast on a pair of socks 😆

[@NYKnitter]

Great episode !!!! Oh, i am a franken-sock for sure . Toe up I need to cover 8.5 " for ball but I add , going toward heel to fit 9.25" instep, especially for short row heel , added 4-6 stitches to the bottom, it gives me more stitches to work with for the heel, but.... ankle goes back down to 8.25" after the heel, so ankles just don't end up with the negative ease the rest of the sock has but I am not doing shorties and have been lucky , leg eventually widens and socks never falls down. But I can see this being tricky for a shorter leg/cuff , would have to take stitch count back down right after the heel :)

[@NerdyKnitting]

Sounds like you have a really good idea of what works for your foot shape - that's such an important part of getting a good fitting sock!

[@alaner.oneill5709]

I also do a frankensock! wonder if you went down a needle size for the ankle area? I don't recall who recommended this but I have a couple of pairs of socks which have a band of ribbing above the back of the ankle. My ribbing tends to stretch out so I don't know that it actually gets any additional negative ease there.

[@AnEnchantedLife]

Some of this I had figured out myself, like the gauge affecting durability, but it was SO nice to hear a Master Knitter say it! That being said, I learned a TON from this video. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@NerdyKnitting]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Susan-tx1tt]

Thanks!

[@NerdyKnitting]

Thank you!

[@deborahleazer6306]

I make socks toe up, and I use Elizabeth Zimmerman bind-off.

[@patriciahall8733]

I have very small feet for an adult woman with a high instep. I use 80 stitches on a 1.5mm US 000 needle, top down. I have been knitting this type of sock for my adult family members as well and I have never has a sock wear out with this dense fabric.

[@NerdyKnitting]

Yes! Dense fabric is key to long-lasting socks.

[@danielepoirier7237]

You are genius🎉

[@NerdyKnitting]

Haha, no - just slightly obsessive about knitting! 😆

[@FaerieDust]

My solution for slightly too large or slightly too small socks is to give them to my family - they're a few sizes either side of me so it works out pretty well, and everyone likes free socks! I do find sock construction and fit to be a super interesting topic though, I want to know all about it 😅 Thanks for the tip on swatching colorwork! I'm starting my first colorwork socks soon (first time working with multiple yarns at once) and I do really want to keep those for myself 😂

[@doreenhyde5107]

Hi just found your channel and enjoying it very much. You may want to check out the book by Andi Smith entitled Big Foot Knits. Theres lots of information for heels and variations on toes.

[@NerdyKnitting]

Thanks! I hadn't heard of that one - will definitely look it up.

[@rosemontgomery5029]

I'm just now thinking of picking up knitting again after a few years off. I love doing an afterthought heel - love cutting into the sock tube, but I have difficulty getting them on. Once on, they're comfortable. So I measured my foot at the widest & my instep & there's a 2" difference. Could that be? I'll measure again tomorrow. But that's probably why they were hard to get on.

[@NerdyKnitting]

That could be why!

[@mwolfe7883]

So far I’ve tried a heel flap/gusset and it fit great. So should I even try the short rows? 😬

[@NerdyKnitting]

That's up to you - but I think it's always a good idea to try new things!

[@masuganut2082]

Hey Tonya. This isn’t a sock question but I need your help…. If I wanted to make a 1x1 rib hat (so it’s stretchy over my big head) would I do a gauge swatch in stockinette? I know it may sound dumb but I just don’t want anything too tight because I get headaches Thank you in advance ❤

[@NerdyKnitting]

If you want to swatch I would do it in 1x1 rib then lightly stretch it to get measurements. I'm in the 'too lazy to swatch for a hat camp' - if you are too (and don't mind ripping out to start over if it's not working out!) you could estimate using your head measurement multiplied by the one-inch stitch gauge for the yarn you're using. If you want it on the looser side add an inch - 1x1 rib is pretty forgiving.

[@masuganut2082]

@@NerdyKnitting thank you so much!!! I have been wrapping my head to try and combat how my head feels but some days I can’t manage it and having my hair everywhere makes things difficult. I have a lot of postpartum hair loss Thank you so so much . ❤️❤️❤️

[@debbief7276]

I have narrow feet and so many patterns start at 8"for a finished sock; I need only 7". Usually, the stitch pattern cannot accommodate my casting on fewer stitches. An example is #3 Bagshot Row by Claire Ellen. Finished circumference is 8" and the pattern doesn't look like I can make it smaller. Any suggestions? Unfortunately, I can't really find out if I can make changes until after I buy the pattern. 😞

[@NerdyKnitting]

A few things - you could try removing stitches from the heel side of the foot - which is usually worked in Stockinette stitch. Or try to figure out what the stitch multiple is for the pattern to see if you can change the cast on number. A final alternative is to get a book like Custom Socks by Kate Atherley to develop your own 'vanilla' sock pattern that you can use as a base pattern to add stitch patterns to.

[@debbief7276]

Thanks for the advice. Kate and I have had long chats about my non-standard feet! I appreciate your solution, but knowing the stitch multiple or the cast-on is information I won't have until after I buy the book or pattern. I have a wonderful book by Hunter Hammersen, and I can only use 2 or 3 of the patterns. I have designed several pairs based on Kate's book.

[@candiceaverill4740]

I made a pair of socks for my daughter and she brought it up to the heel and it would not go over the heel. Where do I need to increase or what do I need to do to make it so as long as you can bring it up over the heal cuz it's toe to heal knitting?

[@NerdyKnitting]

You need to choose a size that fits the heel (you could measure around the foot where the foot and leg meet and use that to choose the right size to knit).

[@magicalmindtransformation3474]

So.... I have no idea what size needles to use. I've only ever knit dish cloths... my dream is to learn how to knit socks and sweaters (eventually nordic/icelandic sweater)... So, I did purchase a set of Chigoo circular needles. But now, I don't even know what to use.

[@NerdyKnitting]

Find a pattern you like and cast on with the recommended needle size (if you know you're a tight knitter you could go up a needle size or if you're a loose knitter go down a needle size). After you've knit for a bit, stop and take your gauge measurements to see if you're getting about 8-9 sts to the inch (measuring the widest area possible to get the most accurate measurement).

[@chris112233ish]

Does sock yarn stretch out or shrink after washing? What about if you put it in the dryer for a bit?

[@NerdyKnitting]

It depends on the fibers, but generally, socks will/can stretch out while wearing them. Washing and drying help get them to shrink back into shape. I find that just washing is enough to do that so I usually wash them on a gentle cycle and hang to dry but I occasionally toss them in the dryer if it feels like they are too stretched out.

[@suburbanartistry]

You said how soon to begin a toe, but if you are working toe up, when should you start a short row heel to get the right foot length?

[@NerdyKnitting]

It depends on the length of the short-row heel (how many rows are worked in the first half), but in general, if you try it on and the sock foot is hitting that point where the foot and leg intersect that's usually the right time to start the heel.

[@alaner.oneill5709]

One rhing i am finding is that i can fet a goodnfit if thr socknis all stockinette. When I add a texture, my siycks turn out too big. I just have too much extra yarn when I switch between knits and purls. :(. Ive evwn been wrapping mynypurls in the opposite direction.

[@NerdyKnitting]

You could try going down a needle size to work a textured pattern.

[@sundaesx]

great tips but what if your sock fits lovely all the way through the knitting and then you start wearing them for a day and they start to slouch....

[@NerdyKnitting]

Perhaps a slightly tighter gauge. Or if the foot is okay and it's the leg that's getting slouchy, decrease a few stitches in the leg.

[@beepbopboop3221]

I did a swatch, and modified this socks still slouch everywhere! Heel doesn't stay on heel. Grrr. Only suiable for house socks because I can't wear bunchy socks with shoes.

[@NerdyKnitting]

Sounds like it might be too many stitches. You could try less stitches next time for a tighter sock.

[@beepbopboop3221]

​@NerdyKnitting my first cast on was too small for diagonal. Somehow, one sock is bigger than the other on same needles. With swatch my gauge was correct on size 1 for stockinette but 2 for the lace. I didnt know which to use on cuff and heel. I guess I picked wrong. I knit 1 for high arches (higher instep but circumference is smaller) and both decreasing more for instep but its still saggy there. Maybe it's the superwash? All my house socks are not super wash but I had this to use up. I put elastic on cuff and Ill try washing them in hot water to shrink. I had hand washed when blocking. Hot tap water. I had knitted the heel narrower too. None of my adjustments helped. It was first time knitting socks that had a leg. I usually make 2in ankle and then do the heel.

[@beepbopboop3221]

I need to figure out a sock yarn that I like. I've done wool only but darn them a lot. Kroy sock yarn seens to behave strangely. Even with swatching. Its my learn to knit cheap yarn. The pattern was made for cascade 220 which I havent used yet or seen locally. I have some wool with nylon to try but its woolen spun so I think it won't be strong enough.

[@mrsvickigriffin]

My one foot has no toes, I'd love to knit myself socks as run of the mill socks really don't fit

[@NerdyKnitting]

Well, you could knit one sock as normal. For the other, it depends on the shape - you could work some decreases to round off the sides (like you're beginning toe shaping) but stop when it looks suitable and graft the edges together.

[@piachristinthorsrud1905]

Britney Spears vibe :)

[@pamelahermans6953]

What about accommodations for a narrow heel😊

[@NerdyKnitting]

I'd say a short-row heel is probably a better choice - and you could work it on fewer stitches (instead of half the sock stitches) to make it narrower.

[@lissyperez4299]

Looks like your socks fit me 😂, size 11?

[@NerdyKnitting]

Close - 9 1/2!

[@jennywelsh5819]

What I need to know is what isto do once the sock had been knitted , how to release the tightness of the cuff.

[@NerdyKnitting]

That's tough. The only thing I can think of is to cut if off, pick up the stitches and re-do the bind off.