Choose a Size
Last Step Before We Knit: Measure Your Feet and Choose What Size Sock to Knit
To know which size socks to make, use a tape measure and measure around the widest part (the ball) of your foot.
Our worsted-weight pattern offers two sizes: Small-Medium (to fit a 7-8-inch foot circumference) and Medium-Large (to fit an 8-9-inch foot circumference).
Our fingering-weight pattern offers three sizes: Small (to fit a 7-inch foot circumference), Medium (to fit an 8-inch foot circumference) and Large (to fit a 9-inch foot circumference).
If your foot is smaller or bigger than these sizes, please use our Generic Toe-Up Sock pattern to custom-fit the sock to your foot.
Once you choose your size, go through the pattern and circle the numbers that apply to your size.
Toe
For all sizes, using Judy's Magic Cast-On, CO 16 sts...
Repeat Rounds 1-2 until there are 14(16) sts on each needle [28(32) sts total].
For the Medium-Large size, you would circle the second number in each set of numbers (shown above in red).
Don't skip this step! It's important to have your pattern numbers clear before you begin.
Next up: Learning Judy's Magic Cast-On! (which you will be able to practice with scrap yarn if your sock yarn hasn't arrived).
Post Your Questions in the Comments
Leave a comment below if you have a question about choosing your sock size or anything else in the knitalong.
I am doing the toe up with fingering yarn. I will be doing middle size, 7-8. I have casted on for two at a time and started knitting. My question is should all the stitches be knit (v) look on the right side? I am getting purl ridges every so often.
Hi Sandra, great to hear your check-in about the pattern! If you are getting purl ridges every so often, you are making a mistake that is very common but needs to be corrected. Purl bumps on the outside of your work are what happens when you forget to get back to ready position and you start going back the other way. Here’s a video on how to correct that: https://www.knitfreedom.com/blog/turned-around/
Let me know if that helps!
Cheers,
Liat
Thank you. I will be watching the video to see where I go wrong. I was practicing with fingering yarn and switched to baby weight yarn and I did it right. Switched to the lighter yarn and was getting ridges. I will keep trying. The good thing is I am more comfortable with the cast on.
Good! Yes, thicker yarn is usually much better when learning a new technique. I hope the video is helping you.
Cheers,
Liat
One other thought… I was hoping to use the pattern “Basic Worsted Weight Toe-up Socks” and I was using the increase of kfb rather than the make one just until I get the hang of things.
Do you offer a video on making ONE sock at a time?
Hi Deb,
Yes, use the pattern “Basic Worsted-Weight Toe-Up Socks.” That is the simplest pattern. You can use the KFB instead of a M1. You can just do one sock at a time. I don’t have a separate video but the pattern is written for just one sock, and you can just ignore the instructions for the other sock in the videos. If that makes sense.
Let me know if that helps.
Cheers,
Liat
Ok, so here is my problem, Using size 5 needles(needed for tight construction for good wear) and aiming for 9inches around (I want to knit large so it fits adult males), I have to increase to 40 stitches instead of the 32 on the toe for worsted weight heel flap sock. I’m not sure how this will affect the numbers for the rest of that pattern/
Hi Kathleen,
You can do a sock with 40 stitches around. You can just follow our Generic Fleegle Heel pattern (https://www.knitfreedom.com/free-pattern/sock-formula) to calculate the stitches needed for the heel.
You can use our Fleegle Heel Based on Shoe Size table (https://www.knitfreedom.com/blog/fleegle-shoe) to see how many inches you should knit before starting the heel.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Cheers,
Liat
I have chosen the large size of the any-size toe-up pattern. My gauge is 4 stitches per inch on size 8 needles with Cascade 220 Superwash Aran.
Hi Nancy,
Thanks for sharing your gauge. For the any-size pattern, there aren’t any sizes specified. You will be using your own foot to measure and decide how many stitches you need. It is quite simple. Is that ok with you?
Liat
Sounds good, Liat. (husband’s foot)
Liat – Here is a catch-up since last week
#1) I reordered the kit with heavy worsted yarn and a size 8 needle. It is not Addi (they were sold out) but rather Dreamz Circular Needles. At this point, I do not like the needles, the cable is constantly twisting and getting in the way. I am going out tomorrow to buy my trusted Chiaogoo.
2) I will knit up the gauge swatch as soon as I get the new needles.
3) I have the same question as others about the foot size and which sock to knit. My foot measures about 8.25” without pressure, but almost 9 when standing. Which size do you suggest?
Thank you!
Hi Barbara,
Thanks for this catch-up info! I am so sorry about the Dreamz needles. Imagiknit was running short on size 8 Addis. I have volunteered to pay the return shipping on any KAL kit items you may have bought from them that don’t work out, so feel free to call them and arrange a return and it should have free shipping.
For measuring your foot size, go with the measurement without pressure. Medium sounds right. :)
Cheers,
Liat
I too am a little confused. I am using fingering weight yarn. Without any pressure my foot is 8″ but when standing closer to 9″. Do I do a medium or a large? I am surprised because I have a smaller foot – or at least I thought I did! LOL!
Hi Deb,
Sorry about this! I see this is something I need to go back in and clarify on the pattern and class. Use the foot measurement without pressure. The medium would be the right size.
Cheers!
Liat
Hi Liat – I chose the fingering weight pattern. When I measure my foot, it’s 8″ with no pressure on it but 8 1/4″ standing. Which one is the correct measurement? If I go with 8″, is there enough stretch so that when I stand the socks won’t be tight? Or, should I adjust for that 1/4″? Thanks!
Hi Marla,
Thanks for bringing this up – it seems to be an issue for several students. I’m glad you brought it to my attention. The correct measurement would be with no pressure on the foot. :)
L
Perfect, thanks!
Liat,
I too am 8.5 inches circumference. I have chosen the toe up heel flap sock with worsted weight yarn. I have knitted my magic loop circumference and using a size 9 needle to achieve 5.5 stitches per inch. What size sock should I knit.
I would like to print the pattern so please advise how to do this.
Thanks in advance!
Debbie
Hi Debbie,
The gauge for the worsted toe-up heel-flap sock pattern is 4.5 sts/in. Is it possible for you to try a gauge swatch with some thicker yarn? What yarn are you using? It sounds like it might be too thin for this version of the pattern. I’m sorry that I don’t have the toe-up heel-flap sock pattern available as of yet in your gauge. That’s something I could work on as a last resort but it would take some time.
Let me know.
Thanks!
Liat
Hello Liat,
I am using the worsted yarn and my foot at the widest part is 8.5 inches. I think my size is going to be a medium-large, right?
Hi Carolyn,
What gauge are you getting for your yarn and needles? I have added a pattern option so there’s now an aran pattern (4.5 sts/in) which comes in small-medium and medium-large (you’d be medium-large), and a worsted pattern (5-5.5 sts/in) which comes in small, medium, and large (you’d be a medium). Let me know what gauge you are getting and I can guide you further.
Cheers,
Liat
I’m going with the original pattern in worsted yarn medium/large.
Ok!
Liat,
Can you help?
My gauge is 8 rather than 7 sts per inch, my feet are Medium size and I like snuggly sox. I am now planning a simple cable up the side (so indecisive!!), and don’t have the patience to do a test swatch.
I was planning to use instructions for Large size to achieve my Medium sox. However…when I checked the fit on my 4 toes (per your any size Fleegle heel pattern), I found the Medium # of sts fit.
What do you think? Should I proceed with the Medium sts? Split the difference between Medium and Large?
(I have pix if they’d be helpful.)
Hi Teresa!
I totally understand about losing patience to do a swatch. I often start swatchless projects with the understanding that, if I really don’t like it (or I get the wrong gauge), I can just take it out.
It sounds like the Medium size is right for you, although attaching pictures here is always helpful to me, so I’m happy to see them to confirm. The any-size pattern is always right. :)
L
Liat,
I’m attaching a pix of: the cable pattern, my original gauge swatch, and a gauge check after reaching Med size 28 sts per needle.
My new plan is to use Med size, and check as I do the foot. I’m ok to frog a bit if it’s too tight.
Thanks so much for your encouragement and patience with my many questions. 😊
Wonderful! Sounds good. For some reason the photos didn’t get attached… you can try again or email them to [email protected].
Cheers,
Liat
Hi Liat – looking forward to getting started. I’ve chosen the fingering-weight pattern but my foot circumference (around the ball of the foot) is 8.5″. Any guidance for those of us between sizes?
Hi there,
I’m so glad you’ve joined us! My instinct for you is to go with the Medium size. It’s always nicer to have a sock that’s snug rather than one that’s too big. Not sure if you’re standing on said foot while measuring it, but that will also add to the circumference and make things confusing. Best to measure in the air. :)
Cheers,
Liat
What time is the KAL and how long is each lesson?
Hi Deb,
Thanks for your question~ The knitalong does not have any live sessions. The videos are all pre-recorded and you can find them here: https://www.knitfreedom.com/my-classes/toe-up-socks
I’ll be sending you out weekly emails walking you through each next step and answering any questions, so you can do the project a bit at a time.
I hope this helps!
Cheers,
Liat