Do you love knitting socks, but find it frustrating when they don’t fit properly? I certainly do! There’s nothing worse than spending hours on a project only to have it not live up to your expectations. The good news is, with this knitted sock size chart, you can say goodbye to too small or too big socks and hello to perfectly tailored ones!
Although you may think you only need to know the length of the feet of the person you’re knitting for, you would be wrong. Sock knitting requires a little extra attention to ensure that the finished product is comfortable and fits just right. But don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it sounds! This handy knitted sock size chart is a knitter’s best friend, providing all the information needed to create socks that fit like a dream.
You can find the following sock charts in this article:
- Shoe size charts for knitting socks
- Sock size charts for different types of yarns
So dust off those knitting needles and grab a skein of yarn, because it’s time to make some socks that fit!
How a Hand-Knitted Sock Is Supposed To Fit
A hand-knitted sock is a labor of love, but there’s nothing more disappointing than finishing a pair only to find they don’t fit quite right. Whether they’re too loose, too tight, or just won’t stay up, sock fit matters for both comfort and longevity.
For starters, knitted socks should have a little bit of negative ease. In other words, they should be slightly smaller than the foot and leg they’re intended to cover. Additionally, a knitted sock should be a bit stretchy, ensuring that the sock stays in place on your foot and doesn’t slip down your leg throughout the day.
A knitted fabric is elastic and it tends to stretch out, especially when made out of wool or other animal fibers. If the sock doesn’t stretch to fit your foot, this added stretch can make the sock to become loose and floppy and move around inside shoes, leading to discomfort and added friction. Not only is this uncomfortable, but it also wears out the sock more quickly.
When knitting socks for adults, you should aim for a size that’s about 10%—about 1” (2.5 cm)—smaller than the actual foot circumference, and approximately 1/2″ (1.3cm) shorter than the actual foot length. Children’s socks should follow a similar rule of thumb with about a 10%—1/2” (1.3 cm)—reduction in circumference and 1/4″ to 1/2″ (6mm to 1.3cm) shorter in length.
That being said, you need to know the measurements for foot circumference and foot length to be able to knit a sock that is going to fit. The foot circumference defines how many stitches you will need to cast on, whereas the foot length and the leg length define how many rounds you will need to knit.
How to Calculate the Number of Stitches for Knitted Socks
There is no universal answer to the question of how many stitches you should cast on for women, men, or kids socks. The reason for this is that every knitter is unique when it comes to gauge. This means that everyone knits with different tension and creates a fabric with a different gauge even though using the same yarn and needles. The only way to figure out the required number of stitches is to knit a test swatch and count the stitches. You can read more about the knitting gauge and find detailed instructions for knitting a gauge here.
The correct number of stitches in knitted socks is based on a snugly measured foot circumference, that is the measurement taken around the ball of the foot. Once you know the foot circumference in inches (or centimeters), you can calculate the corresponding number of stitches based on the gauge.
This is how you do it:
- Measure or estimate the circumference of the foot. Remember that the finished size that you want to follow should be 10% smaller (that’s about 1″ (2.5 cm) for an adult sock and about 1/4″ to 1/2″ (6 mm to 1.3 cm) for a child’s sock) than the actual foot circumference.
- Knit a test swatch.
- Calculate the gauge from the test swatch.
- Convert the foot circumference in inches (or centimeters) to the number of stitches.
- Start knitting a sock!
What Else Affects the Knitted Sock Size?
When calculating the number of stitches, you also need to take into account the stitch pattern you are using. For example, for 2×2 ribbing, you will need a number that can be divided by 4. And for 1×1 ribbing, you will need a number that can be divided by 2.
In addition, the finished sock circumference depends on how stretchy the stitch pattern is. As a rule of thumb, stockinette socks should have 10% of negative ease. But for instance, colorwork socks should have close to zero ease, meaning that the circumference of the sock and foot are the same. This is because the colorwork fabric is not nearly as stretchy as the stockinette stitch.
That being said, luckily, the knitted fabric is usually flexible so the size of the sock doesn’t have to be to a tee. Also the preferences of the person using the sock affect the size—some prefer a snug fit and others a looser fit.
However, one thing is sure: a sock should not be way too narrow or wide or way too short or long. If you’re knitting for kids, you can always leave a little room for growth but an adult’s sock should fit snugly on the foot.
Tip: Add some ribbing on the instep and cuff if you want to improve the chances that the sock will fit.
Shoe Size Charts for Knitting Socks
If you are not able to measure the foot of the person you are knitting the socks for, find out or estimate their shoe size. Once you know their shoe size, you will know a pretty accurate measurement for their foot length. In addition, it will be easier to estimate the foot circumference. And that’s where these knitted sock size charts come in picture. You can use the measurement provided here as basis when you only have a shoe size to go with.
Just keep in mind, that there is no chart that works for everyone. These charts assume that the foot has an average width so if their foot is narrow, they’ll probably find the socks too big and if their foot is wide, they’ll probably find the socks too small. So it’s always better if you are able to measure the foot you are going to knit the sock for to ensure a perfect fitment.
The measurements in these sock size charts for women, men and children are based on a sock with a flap and gusset heel, which is how I usually knit my socks. However, they could also be modified into a short row heel.
Please note that the foot circumferences in the table are snug, so that the socks don’t become too loose. After all, the knitted fabric will stretch in use.
Explanations for the Sock Measurements Used in the Charts
- Sock Circumference = measurement around the ball of the foot
- Leg = measurement from the cuff to the beginning of the heel flap
- Heel Flap = measurement from the beginning of the heel flap to the turn of heel
- Heel to Toe = measurement from the beginning of heel turn to just before the toe decrease
- Toe = measurement from the beginning of the toe decrease to the end of toe
- Total Sock Foot Length = measurement from the beginning of the heel turn to the end of toe
Women’s Knitted Sock Size Chart
Men’s Knitted Sock Size Chart
Kid’s Knitted Sock Size Chart
Sock Size Charts for Different Types of Yarns
Naturally, also the yarn weight affects the number of stitches you need to cast on for your socks. The thicker the yarn, the less stitches you will need to achieve the correct circumference and vice versa.
These cheat sheets below will help you to find out the correct number of stitches when knitting a sock from the top-down with thick sock yarn and fine sock yarn. In addition, they will show how many stitches and rows you will have in the heel flap and how you should divide the stitches when working on the heel flap decreases. You can also find out how many stitches you should pick up along the heel flap when moving on to the gusset.
Make sure to check out this step-by-step guide for how to knit a sock and refer to these charts any time you’re knitting a sock!
Knitted Sock Size Chart for Knitting With Thick Sock Yarn
This is a knitted sock size chart for knitting with thick sock yarn and using US 4 to US 6 (3.5 to 4mm) double pointed needles. Stitches are always divided evenly onto 4 double pointed needles and then you knit with the 5th needle.
Gauge about 22 stitches x 30 rows = 4 x 4 inches (10cm x 10cm)
Thick sock yarn: approx. 427yd (390m) per 5.3oz (150g), such as Novita 7 Veljestä / 7 Brothers, Lana Grossa Meilenweit Rainbow Hand Dyed, Regia 6-Ply
Knitted Sock Size Chart for Knitting With Fine Sock Yarn
This is a knitted sock size chart for knitting with fine sock yarn and using US 1.5 to US 2.5 (2.5 to 3mm) double pointed needles. Stitches are always divided evenly onto 4 double pointed needles and then you knit with the 5th needle.
Gauge about 30 stitches x 40 rows = 4 x 4 inches (10cm x 10cm)
Fine sock yarn: approx. 459yd (420m) per 3.5oz (100g), such as Patons Kroy Socks, Lana Grossa Meilenweit, Lana Grossa Landlust, Malabrigo Sock, Regia 4 Ply, Novita Venla, Novita Nalle
The Number of Stitches for Regular Size Socks
To summarize, this is how many stitches you should cast on for socks that are regular size:
If you knit from the top-down, you’ll need to cast on around 14 or 15 stitches per needle (56 or 60 stitches total) for a regular women’s size sock and 16 or 17 stitches per needle (64 or 68 stitches total) for a regular men’s size sock.
If you knit from toe-up, you’ll need to cast on 4 stitches per needle (16 stitches total). Then you’ll increase on every other round until the sock toe covers all your four toes and is just about covering the tip of your smallest toe.
Conclusions
This knitted sock size chart is a game-changer for anyone who loves to knit socks. It takes the guesswork out of sizing and allows you to create custom-fit socks that are comfortable and look great. No more struggling with too-tight cuffs or floppy ankles!
By using the chart and taking a few key measurements, you can create socks that are tailored to your or your recipient’s unique foot shape. It may take a little extra effort, but the result is well worth it. The feeling of slipping on a pair of socks that fit perfectly is pretty awesome.
Happy knitting, and don’t forget to refer to your trusty knitted sock size chart along the way!
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