I finally managed to cast on. Knit them Friday, knit them Saturday, they are a fun knit and in no way to blame for my present trouble. The culprit, unfortunately, is my ankle, pictured below.
It's 7.5" around, just above the joint. Is that unusually skinny? It must be, because only socks that are knit at a much tighter than recommended gauge fit. This is my Monkey sock so far, knit on US 1 Addi Turbos. It's not stretching very much. The lace is hiding, it looks a bit baggy, but it really bags out around my ankle.
Does the only way to get socks to fit me involve knitting them on needles 2 sizes smaller than recommended? I started out as a tight knitter, I know I've loosened up some over time, but this is ridiculous. No wonder everybody is cranking out socks left and right and I keep on knitting and knitting and knitting!
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I'm afraid that my problem is quite the opposite, there are some socks that I can't get past my high arches, I usually go up a needle size or add stitches where possible (or both).
You could go down a needle size for just the ankle part of the sock (as long as that will fit over your heel)
Hm, interesting. While I don't think I have skinnier than usual ankles, I feel your frustration with the baggy at the ankle sock. LLD's suggestion sounds like a good one.
What a lovely ankle though!
Or maybe you could add a ribbed panel just above the heel flap, kind of like in some of Nancy Bush's socks. Do you know what I mean?
It must be really frustrating to have your socks constantly falling down.
What if you remove one of the pattern repeats and use the recommended needle size?
I'm not sure what is an average ankle size. I just measured mine and it's 9 inches, but I think miine are bigger than average. So maybe you do have a skinny ankle? I know that I have to take care not to knit the heel gusset too tightly, or the ankle will be tight.
I think going down a needle size just on the ankle area could help. Or as another person suggested, cast on fewer stitches and do one less repeat of the stitch pattern. In that case you may need to start with a larger needle size to shape the calf, then switch to the next size down (the recommended needle size) after 3 inches or so.
I generally use three different needle sizes on a single pair of socks. I knit the first few inches with 2.5mm, then the rest of the leg and the foot with 2.25. I use a 2.0 for the heel flap so that I get a more tightly knit, longer-wearing heel.
I am a fellow member of the skinny ankle club - My ankles are 7 3/4" around, and I have the same problem you do. I knit all my socks on size 0 needles and they seem to fit ok as long as I don't get much above 60 stitches. I like the idea of using different needle sizes!
Sounds like you already have some good suggestions on how to ensure a better fit! You could also try purl-free Monkeys - they might draw in a little more.
I'd definitely take out a repeat...or at least a stitch or two in the chart. There are purls that could easily be eliminated. (aren't there? It's been awhile since I knit these.) Oh! And btw, the sock is looking lovely. Fabulous colors. And NO pooling! Very nice.
Well, that's what you get for having shapely ankles! my massive ankles are a whole other set of problems! :)
I second (or third) the suggestion to move down a size for the ankle section.
Well, that's what you get for having shapely ankles! my massive ankles are a whole other set of problems! :)
I second (or third) the suggestion to move down a size for the ankle section.
ooh I love those colors! I hope you get them to work out
That stinks. I love the colors too, so hopefully you'll be able to work it out. Maybe you'll have tos tart wearing two pairs at once to beef up those skinny ankles.
Well if you get guage with monkey socks they will be too big at your ankles. So yes your ankles are small. ;)
The monkey socks are made with an 8 inch, unstretched, foot circumfrence. The leg circumfrence is the same as the foot circumfrence... so you have half an inch of positive ease at your ankle.
I'd say you'd need to mess around with needle size and stitch count to get something to fit. I tend to find a guage I like, and then change the stitch count to match my guage. :)
I guess there is a downside to skinny ankles :) I don't seem to have that problem :)
Ugh though. Sorry the monkeys don't fit well. I would try going down a needle size.
Are you my ankle mate? Mine are very skinny too. I always have bagging sock fabric around my ankles. (Do you think not shaving will give some sort of velcro effect?;)
LLD gives some good advice!
In the case of the Monkeys with its 16 st repeat, I would say downsize the pattern itself. If you take out a repeat, it won't be centered.
For instance, Gilraen changed the 16 st repeat to a 12 st one for her toddler's socks. I wouldn't recommend you go down that far (unless you're going w/a thicker yarn), but you could go somewhere in-between, say a 14 st repeat (56 st total) instead. I charted Gilraen's mods at the bottom of my post here just to give you an idea:
http://stilaholicnartianknits.blogspot.com/2007/11/only-socks.html
That must be very frustrating. I hope it works out eventually. They really look nice.
Oh my god, there's a lot of worthwhile info here!
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