Help me, O Sock Knitters of Dreamwidth

[untonuggan]

OK, so I finally got the gauge I was aiming for with the darn lovely rainbow yarn. It really knits up quite prettily. Unstretched it is 30 sts/4 in (7.5 sts/in) on #0s, stretched it is 26 sts/4 in (6.5 sts/in). I decided I would just use the Yarn Harlot's Basic Sock Pattern from Knitting Rules, and since it appeared I had gotten the same gauge as her, I would "cheat" and use the pre-written pattern. It's basically a top-down heel gussett pattern.

I should mention that I have an issue with socks I knit falling down. I don't know if that's because my ankles seem to be larger (due to swelling) than other peoples' or what. They range from 10"-10.5" depending on swelling. Whenever I have knit 1" less based on unstretched gauge, the socks fall down (usually because health is also doing better and then the ankles are too big also). So it's sort of a hit-and-miss thing.

For the Yarn Harlot's pattern, she says:
"This standard pair of socks will fit the average woman. They are knit...at a gauge of 7.5 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch."
And call for you to cast on 64 stitches.

I figured if they didn't fit me they would fit someone and maybe I could auction them off to benefit some queer organization or some such.

64 stitches/7.5=about 8.5 inches around your ankle, which seemed appropriate for me

Except I got a horrible sinking feeling when I started knitting, because it seemed too big. So for once I did something sensible and inserted a lifeline, took the half inch of cuff off the needles, and tried it on. It fell down.

It's about 9.5" around. I'm guessing that the Yarn Harlot is using her "slightly stretched" gauge, which she mentions as being useful several pages earlier in the chapter. So in that case, I should cast on 6.5 sts/in x 8.5" = 55 sts. Right? Please tell me I am doing maths right? Does this seem like a reasonable number that will not completely cut off circulation in my ankle? (Except I want an even number so I'd probably go up to 56...)

Or should I aim for a 9" cuff and go for 6.5 sts x 9" = 58 sts...

Help!

Comments

[eruanna]

Just saw this today. Looks like it might be helpful for improving fit. Foot Sizing Survey Results :-)

[untonuggan]

It is interesting - except my feet totally don't fit their survey results. According to the survey, if my ankle circumference is 10" (which it is), then my feet should be 11" long and the circumference around the ball of my foot should be 11", and the gusset should be 11.75".

Actual measurements: 9" long and 9" ball of foot circumference, 9" around the gusset.

I knew I had hobbit feet and really wide ankles. This is why it is impossible to buy shoes that fit.

I guess this means that I am basically going to have to alter every sock pattern I knit for myself, because none of them are going to fit me right...

[eruanna]

It's not helping me much, either but I hoped it might be useful for someone. I'm not good enough with knitting math to figure out everything yet.

I' m working on socks for someone with wide feet and skinny legs so have a similar problem. I'm trying toe-up and 3x1 rib. I'm almost to the gusset so not sure if what I'm trying will work, but I want the leg narrower than the foot.

[aunty_marion]

Knit the heel, and either do more gusset decreases, or just decrease about 4 stitches evenly around on the first full round after finishing the gusset. Or some combination like that - it also partly depends on how high their arch is, so how much 'ease' they need in the gusset!

[eruanna]

Thanks! I'll try that.