I love, love, LOVE to knit socks. I had a break from knitting of 41 years (learned at age 14, knit an afghan which I still have and a cabled sweater which I no longer have - wah - gave it up as flighty teenagers do, then at age 55 the lightbulb went off and I sought yarn and needles anew). The epiphany I had when returning to knitting is that socks can be as wild and fanciful as possible but I am not stuck wearing them visibly like an ugly Christmas sweater, they are small, they have exciting bits to working them and I can wear them even in some of the hottest weather in the hot Tucson climate I live in. I followed my instinct and did not give in to fear of "can I do it." I absolutely could - it's just knits and purls and knitting in the round - and your tips are totally spot on. What I am discovering is that I can experiment with needle size and that no matter what the outcome, there is SOMEBODY who is going to benefit from the size of socks I am knitting. But the best is when I have the option to work them to fit me, though I now have two sock drawers full at age 67 🙂 Great video!
Great advices on sock measurements. Thanks Claudia ! I remember the first time I measured my feet carefully to make perfect socks. It was in August, (very warm and humid August), the socks did fit perfecly when I finished them, except I didn't need socks that summer. Surprise, in fall when I tried my socks, they were too large, I was so so puzzled. I remeasured my feet right then and there, to find out the measures were quite different. It turned out my feet , ankels and calves were very swollen that August. Lesson learned, do not meausre your feet in summer when you want to knit fall/winter socks. 😉
I have ordered some yarn and am ready to tackle my first pair of socks. I'm so glad to watch this video to better understand how to accomplish my goal. Thank you so much for sharing your words of wisdom!
When I first knit socks I got thru half the very first one and immediately understood that I needed to do math and modifications and could not just follow a pattern. I also have very high instep compared to my foot width. I spent a whole year or so collecting the info I needed to understand different sock constructions and how to make them fit . I can't tell you how thankful I am to you and other great you tube knitting gurus. I feel so much more confident in making all knit garments now after studying socks so closely. Socks are so amazing and you can pack so many techniques into a pocket size project. Thank you for such great content!
Getting ready to attempt my first pair of socks. Have been scanning RUclips and am soooo glad that I found you! Your explanations are clear and I love your humour! Thank you.
@@cloknits I’m originally from Ottawa, born in Gatineau, so I’m enjoying your French Canadian accent! I wonder whether you could recommend yarn and where I can get some at reasonable prices? Going to watch your 14 years of sock-knitting video 😊
@@lisedaveymellon7993 I generally shop at local yarn stores like Espace Tricot that also has an online store. When I need to shop outside of local businesses I like Knit Picks or Hobbii.
Sock knitter for years! Different yarns (ex: 463y per 100g is a light weight fingering versus 440-ish yards per 100g)… not trying to get too technical… I like a denser fabric & seem to prefer a US 0 (2mm) for light fingering (10-ish sts per inch) and use a US 1 (2.25mm) for other (9 to 10 sts per inch). I like to try different toe decreases, patterns, etc. When I look back at my notes, my stitch & row counts all vary! Which is fine, they all fit! St at versus a knit/purl pattern can also change stitch gauge & hence fit. I have a high instep, so flap & gusset (higher flap height=better fit!!) are my usual. Last year WAS going to be the year to add mini gussets to a short row/afterthought heel. Still need to try that !! hah hah There are so many variables to get a perfect fit, right? Gauge, yarn, stitch pattern, heel, toe… all that playing = a lot of socks. Thanks for your tips! I’m always open to new ideas, learning a new trick!
Your comment is so motivating! I love that socks can become a game of "let's try to find more ways to get a perfect sock". I love trying out new bases, new shapes, etc.
Interesting. Your approach to figuring out perfect fitting socks is much more understandable to me. I have stacks of books and watched many videos that have complicated tables and want you to measure 9 points on your foot (not always easy for older folks to bend over that long 😂). And I have yet to get a good fitting pair of socks by following them, let alone a perfect pair. So I’m going to try your way on the next pair I try. Thank you. ❤
Thank you! Obviously there are more things that can come into play. But keeping it simple for the first pair and then tweaking the recipe once you've made the basic one is much simpler in my opinion.
this was incredibly informative. You presented the information in way that was easy to understand and follow, I can't wait to start a new pair with this information :) THANK YOU - and I'm really looking forward to the heel gusset video :)
I started knitting socks on 3mm needles (11 stitches per inch!!). I loosened up to 2.75mm after about 2 years... Now I'm on 2.5mm (mostly) and getting 8 or 9 stitches per inch (depending on the yarn). I was very surprised by my gauge changes - but I'm now expecting to be using 2.25mm needles sometime in the next 6 months!!
This is great! I have knit several pairs of socks but it was always a guessing game and none of them fit me like I would want them to. I feel like this video gave me what I needed. Thank you. so much for it! Do you have a prefered way of reenforcing the heel or do you not do it?
Yes! There are definitely more tips to share but these are the most important for me. For the toe box, when it's mine, I try them on and start it when i'm almost covering my little toe. But counting how many rows your toe decreases will take and calculating based on row gauge is the way to go for gifts!
For me it’s not that simple🤭. My foot circumference is 8,5 inches and my leg circumference is 12 inches. I usually do my leg with 68sts and then decrease to 64 sts in the gusset. I also have to do more rows in my heelflap for my high instep.😄🧶 I do the xtra decreases underneath my foot at the same time as the usual gusset decreases. Learned all this over time…. ❤
Exactly! Theres are more stuff to consider, this is a very quick and dirty way to start. I feel like trying to get ALL the measurements customized the first time around is sometimes daunting. Once you've made a pair the "standard way", you gain some knowledge on how to adapt it to your personal shape. Thanks for mentioning it.
Did you know all 3 tips? If not, which one was a new to you?
I love, love, LOVE to knit socks. I had a break from knitting of 41 years (learned at age 14, knit an afghan which I still have and a cabled sweater which I no longer have - wah - gave it up as flighty teenagers do, then at age 55 the lightbulb went off and I sought yarn and needles anew). The epiphany I had when returning to knitting is that socks can be as wild and fanciful as possible but I am not stuck wearing them visibly like an ugly Christmas sweater, they are small, they have exciting bits to working them and I can wear them even in some of the hottest weather in the hot Tucson climate I live in. I followed my instinct and did not give in to fear of "can I do it." I absolutely could - it's just knits and purls and knitting in the round - and your tips are totally spot on. What I am discovering is that I can experiment with needle size and that no matter what the outcome, there is SOMEBODY who is going to benefit from the size of socks I am knitting. But the best is when I have the option to work them to fit me, though I now have two sock drawers full at age 67 🙂 Great video!
Yes! Socks are the best gift, if they don't fit you, they'll fit someone!
Great advices on sock measurements. Thanks Claudia !
I remember the first time I measured my feet carefully to make perfect socks. It was in August, (very warm and humid August), the socks did fit perfecly when I finished them, except I didn't need socks that summer. Surprise, in fall when I tried my socks, they were too large, I was so so puzzled. I remeasured my feet right then and there, to find out the measures were quite different. It turned out my feet , ankels and calves were very swollen that August. Lesson learned, do not meausre your feet in summer when you want to knit fall/winter socks. 😉
Oh that's a good point! Knowing you body and how it fluctuate is important.
I have ordered some yarn and am ready to tackle my first pair of socks. I'm so glad to watch this video to better understand how to accomplish my goal. Thank you so much for sharing your words of wisdom!
Wonderful!
When I first knit socks I got thru half the very first one and immediately understood that I needed to do math and modifications and could not just follow a pattern. I also have very high instep compared to my foot width. I spent a whole year or so collecting the info I needed to understand different sock constructions and how to make them fit . I can't tell you how thankful I am to you and other great you tube knitting gurus. I feel so much more confident in making all knit garments now after studying socks so closely. Socks are so amazing and you can pack so many techniques into a pocket size project. Thank you for such great content!
Tweaking to your own anatomy is absolutely worth it even though it takes more time. I'm glad you are having fun!
I have never knitted socks before but I would love to try.Thanks for the tips!
You'll love it!
Getting ready to attempt my first pair of socks. Have been scanning RUclips and am soooo glad that I found you! Your explanations are clear and I love your humour! Thank you.
I'll upload a step by step soon.
@@cloknits I’m originally from Ottawa, born in Gatineau, so I’m enjoying your French Canadian accent! I wonder whether you could recommend yarn and where I can get some at reasonable prices? Going to watch your 14 years of sock-knitting video 😊
@@lisedaveymellon7993 I generally shop at local yarn stores like Espace Tricot that also has an online store. When I need to shop outside of local businesses I like Knit Picks or Hobbii.
Sock knitter for years! Different yarns (ex: 463y per 100g is a light weight fingering versus 440-ish yards per 100g)… not trying to get too technical…
I like a denser fabric & seem to prefer a US 0 (2mm) for light fingering (10-ish sts per inch) and use a US 1 (2.25mm) for other (9 to 10 sts per inch).
I like to try different toe decreases, patterns, etc. When I look back at my notes, my stitch & row counts all vary! Which is fine, they all fit! St at versus a knit/purl pattern can also change stitch gauge & hence fit.
I have a high instep, so flap & gusset (higher flap height=better fit!!) are my usual. Last year WAS going to be the year to add mini gussets to a short row/afterthought heel. Still need to try that !! hah hah
There are so many variables to get a perfect fit, right? Gauge, yarn, stitch pattern, heel, toe… all that playing = a lot of socks.
Thanks for your tips! I’m always open to new ideas, learning a new trick!
Your comment is so motivating! I love that socks can become a game of "let's try to find more ways to get a perfect sock". I love trying out new bases, new shapes, etc.
Thanks for this video 😊 my socks sometimes twist in my shoe now I know why! I will try a pair with 2mm and see how they fit.
If they twist, they are probably too big or the heel doesn't fit properly.
Interesting. Your approach to figuring out perfect fitting socks is much more understandable to me. I have stacks of books and watched many videos that have complicated tables and want you to measure 9 points on your foot (not always easy for older folks to bend over that long 😂). And I have yet to get a good fitting pair of socks by following them, let alone a perfect pair. So I’m going to try your way on the next pair I try. Thank you. ❤
Thank you! Obviously there are more things that can come into play. But keeping it simple for the first pair and then tweaking the recipe once you've made the basic one is much simpler in my opinion.
I plan to knit my first pair of socks soon. This video was extremely helpful in preparing to do this. I did follow your calculations! Thank you!😊
Great! Let me know how it goes.
The cut of my sock has always been a problem. Thank you for your help.
Have you tried different types of heels?
this was incredibly informative. You presented the information in way that was easy to understand and follow, I can't wait to start a new pair with this information :) THANK YOU - and I'm really looking forward to the heel gusset video :)
Yay! I'll be ready to upload it in august.
This was great! I just finished my very first sock. It turned out with zero ease. I will adjust!!
Thank you, very helpfull!
It might be just fine depending on your gauge but I do prefer some negative ease.
This video makes so much sense 🤔 thank you
Glad it was helpful!
I started knitting socks on 3mm needles (11 stitches per inch!!). I loosened up to 2.75mm after about 2 years... Now I'm on 2.5mm (mostly) and getting 8 or 9 stitches per inch (depending on the yarn). I was very surprised by my gauge changes - but I'm now expecting to be using 2.25mm needles sometime in the next 6 months!!
Yes gauge can change quite a bit as we gain experience.
This is great! I have knit several pairs of socks but it was always a guessing game and none of them fit me like I would want them to. I feel like this video gave me what I needed. Thank you. so much for it!
Do you have a prefered way of reenforcing the heel or do you not do it?
I don't do it. I just mend when time comes.
I haven't made socks - I tried once about 15 years ago and it did not go well. This video is making me feel less stressed about trying it again.
With 15 more years of experience I'm sure you can do it!
@@cloknits HAHA! Valid point! I appreciate you ☺️
This is a great video.
Thank you!
There might be a fourth tip. How to calculate when to start the decreases for the toe box based on the row gauge.
Yes! There are definitely more tips to share but these are the most important for me. For the toe box, when it's mine, I try them on and start it when i'm almost covering my little toe. But counting how many rows your toe decreases will take and calculating based on row gauge is the way to go for gifts!
So scared to try socks!
I'm preparing a video for that!
❤❤❤❤❤❤
For me it’s not that simple🤭. My foot circumference is 8,5 inches and my leg circumference is 12 inches. I usually do my leg with 68sts and then decrease to 64 sts in the gusset. I also have to do more rows in my heelflap for my high instep.😄🧶 I do the xtra decreases underneath my foot at the same time as the usual gusset decreases. Learned all this over time…. ❤
Exactly! Theres are more stuff to consider, this is a very quick and dirty way to start. I feel like trying to get ALL the measurements customized the first time around is sometimes daunting. Once you've made a pair the "standard way", you gain some knowledge on how to adapt it to your personal shape. Thanks for mentioning it.