Another Sock Question

I continue the ribbing over the top of the sock and think that improves the fit. I use #2 needles -- of course, my feet and ankles could be bigger too.

On Fri, 26 May 2006 22:02:53 GMT, snipped-for-privacy@actcom.co.il (Mirjam Bruck-Cohen) spewed forth :

Koigu is yarn that's available in North America.

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I guess I'm wondering if anyone has a sock pattern that includes shaping in the foot around the arch.

Hesira

Hi Mirjam,

I had mentioned the Koigu yarn in an earlier post. A lot of people use this yarn for socks, I guess, and I followed a pattern that specifically called for it. It's pretty yarn, and easy to work with, but expensive, so I'm disappointed the sock didn't turn out fabulous.

Hesira

On 26 May 2006 14:05:48 -0700, "hesira" spewed forth :

Ribbing will help the instep stay a little snugger. If you're anal like me you want it to be centered on the foot and that can be a pain in the butt :D

Some solutions:

Smaller needles: I normally knit Koigu on #1 needles, which are (I think) 2mm.

Fewer stitches: My #1-needle Koigu socks are made on 63-64 stitches. I usually make 2-1 rib, hence 63 for the leg. If I feel like making a

1-1/2-2/3-1 rib I'll use 64 stitches. My ankles are 9.5", my foot at the instep is a shade less. I have no problem with bag and sag.

Find Elizabeth's shaped arch instructions and see if you like the fit of the foot of a sock made using it.

I'd have to think about the mechanics of making socks for a person with big ankles and small feet. I have a friend built that way but she makes her own socks. I'll try to remember to ask her how she handles that when next I see her.

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Hesira, you have the answer, rib the top part of the foot and stockinette the foot. I went through the same learning lesson when I started to knit socks for Otto, when we moved here. I am still changing how I make the heel as well.

Els

The Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook, talks about that I think. I seem to remember that one of our Guild members used that method and she thought that the sock fitted better. The Folk Sock knitting book is another one with lots of different socks to pick from, you may find some of your answers in it.

Els

Thanks Everyone,

I'm new at this sock making stuff, and can't just look at a pattern & know whether it will work. I really appreciate you all sharing your experience and expertise with me. My feet (and ankles I guess) are pretty small, so I probably need to try fewer stitches, and ribbing the top. I just hate the idea of frogging that sock. Probably I'll make it's mate, and save them for Xmas gifts.

Hesira

I agree with you on the ribbing but I think she should also try a size 1 needle and fewer stitches as Wooly recommended. I've found that I want the socks to have a circumference a little smaller than the measurement of my foot. Although they look to small around for my feet, they really aren't They have a snug fit but are still comfortable because there is enough stretch in the fabric. I've only used wool/nylon sock yarns and not any

100% wools.

On 26 May 2006 16:08:39 -0700, "hesira" spewed forth :

It's all about the gauge. I usually recommend that people ballpark a number to cast on based on their expected GAUGE, minus 10%. So if I was knitting 8spi I'd want 8*9.5-10% or 76-8 or 68 but really 64 stitches at 8spi produces socks of my preferred fit so that's what I use.

It sounds as if you can probably drop a couple of needle sizes and have socks that fit, even if they don't fit ideally.

And yes, Elizabeth Zimmerman developed a shaped arch years ago. Instructions for the making of it are in the Almanac for sure, Opinionated knitter possibly, and as a SpunOut pamphlet from SHP.

I imagine you can find it if you google, too.

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Reply to the list as I do not publish an email address to USENET. This practice has cut my spam by more than 95%. Of course, I did have to abandon a perfectly good email account...

The Almanac has an unusual sock pattern but not, I think, the shaped arch. I've only found that one in _Meg Swansen's Knitting_, and she derived it directly from the stockings, since E.Z. never wrote it down. Meg showed the original stockings and several pairs knitted from her derived, and slightly altered, pattern.

=Tamar