I just finished knitting my first pair of socks and I have to say I'm hooked. I used the pattern from Lion Brand for the Magic Stripe yarn and while I'm happy with the results, I'd like to learn how to "fit" the sock better. So, I'm looking for books, websites, tips, advice, any spare knowledge from the collective group to perfect my sock knitting. You can see my socks here:
Katherine H
Hi Katherine,
I love the colors and your scarves too. Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Nora who isn't a sock knitter.
Swatch.
Know your measurements, or the measurements of the intended.
Don't be afraid of the math, or the knitting. It's just math, it's just knitting. None of it is rocket science and you aren't trying to put women on Mars. Rip and reknit as necessary.
Realize that some people have a higher instep than others and make the flaps accordingly. If your socks ooch down in your shoes the heels are too shallow; conversely if the socks bunch up above the heels of your shoes the flaps are too deep. Make note and fix it on the next pair. If you make short-row heels consider using 60% of the stitches to make the heel instead of 50%. The sock will probably fit most people better that way.
Know your toe: that is, the one you knit. If you typically knit this toe, or that toe, or whatever toe, know how the shaping works and how long it takes to accomplish. Nothing sucks worse than grafting the toe, darning in the ends, washing the sock and THEN realizing the sock is half an inch too short. Just try to find the end and ungraft the toe, I dare you!
Learn how to make Elizabeth's "shaped arch".
Learn to darn. If you don't know anyone who knows how, visit a nursing home or retirement home. If you can find a little old man who served in WW2 (they're getting uncommon these days, I'm afraid) chances are he'll know how to darn a sock; if his wife is there she'll know how to darn a stocking!
On Wed, 10 May 2006 00:59:34 GMT, Katherine H spewed forth :
+++++++++++++Reply to the list as I do not publish an email address to USENET.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...
Katherine, we were talking about that today at our Guild meeting. One of the members, who is a great sock knitter, just started using "The Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook" Cher uses it as well, and I have just started reading it. In it there are some great tips on getting the sock to fit properly
It is written by Lunne Vogel and published by Interweave Press
Els
Heh, heh..... my first current pair that I knit a couple of years ago have holes in the soles, and I agree with you. I couldn't throw them out. I dug out the remainder of the yarn I made them from and darned those holes. I still wear those socks along with all the newer ones with no holes.
I'm not in a nursing home yet, but my mom taught me to darn socks many moons ago. I had to darn my dad's socks for her because she was working. I also had to learn to start supper once I turned 12. ;>D
Shelagh
OMG Wooly you are funny.....I'll go search for an old man then...lol
higz cher
Very nice, Katherine. I have a pair in almost the same colours. As for making them fit better, you need a pattern with a shaped leg, I guess. They are more trouble to make, but many people think that they are worth it. Patons has a book with shaped adult socks, but I am not sure of the name.
Higs, Katherine
Leah
I've read most of the available books on socks and think Cool Socks, Warm Feet by Lucy Neatby is the best for learning how to make well-fitting socks.
Wooly no daring needed, Otto has many socks I have done that too when He goes through the toes, I reknit with what ever sock wool I have left over. Otto has many socks that have different toes. I darn socks as well, but find reknitting parts easier
What is an "Elizabeth's shaped Arch"...??? Are you talking about E. Zimmerman?
Els
Watch out Cher he may want to show more than his toe or darned sock......LOL
Els
Katherine, your socks look great, but I now see that you did stockinette st, for the whole sock. Otto did not like that when I used to knit his socks that way. I now continue the ribbing after I have turned the heel, on top of his foot. This makes the sock fit better. Try different heels as well and also like Wooly suggested, look at the size and width of the heel flap. I use the folk sock book. In it there are a multitude of heels and different toes.
Els
Yes, Els, she IS. Noreen (two n's, Zimmermann)
Giggle......what ARE you like Els...shall have to make a small sock with no heel then...lol
higz Cher
great book that one too Els, I have that as well...higz Cher
How cheeky is that?** Love & higs (giggling quietly!) Christine
Me too, almost *too* much choice, but a really useful book Love & higs Christine
You guys must be by now in stitches laughing at my sentence structure. I have the heel sitting on top of Otto,s foot. Hilarious. I usually check my spelling with a very good spell checker, however that will not catch mistakes in my sentence structure, or that Zimmermann is with two ns......
Very funny
Katherine, do not knit the heel on top of the foot. Just continue the ribbing on top of the foot it will make the sock fit better.
Els
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