Tip Tuesday: Five Tips for Sock Knitting

Tip Tuesday: 5 Tips for Sock Knitting

Whether you're casting on your very first pair or finally diving into that long-awaited sock pattern, these simple tips will set you up for success before you pick up your very first stitch.

Materials used:

For this tutorial, we used…

• Starling, with its expansive palette of 26 solids and 5 self-striping options it’s an ideal choice for sock knitting.

• Sock sizing ruler, a handy tool that makes it easy to measure your progress, whether you're working toe-up or cuff-down.

1. Choose the right yarn for the wip

Regular fingering-weight yarn and sock yarn are similar in size and can often be knit to the same gauge, but they aren’t always interchangeable. The way a yarn is spun and its fiber content can make a big difference in how it behaves in your project.

For your first pair, look for the yarn that matches the project, not just one that matches your gauge. Starling is a blend of superwash merino with a touch of recycled polyamide for elasticity and structure, while a yarn like Tern will create a softer and shinier fabric.

Both yarns will make beautiful socks, but the finished pair will wear and feel very different depending on the yarn you choose. Even if two yarns match in gauge, their structure and fiber content can lead to very different results. Trust your pattern and always double check the fiber content you are looking to match. Swatching is a simple way to get a sense of how your yarn will behave before you dive into your project.

Starling Sock Pattern Suggestion: Legato

Tern Sock Pattern Suggestion: Pear Galette

2. Consider how the sock feels on your foot

If you’re sensitive to textures, try what is called a “princess sole.” Instead of working the sole in stockinette knit stitches, use reverse stockinette, purling the knit stitches, so that the smooth side of the fabric will sit against your skin. 

The term comes from The Princess and the Pea, and while it's a small adjustment, it can make a big difference in your comfort.

3. Build your own sock template

Before you cast on, trace your foot on a piece of paper and note key measurements like overall foot length and where your heel begins. This gives you a reference point as you knit, so you can check your progress without constantly trying on the sock.

If you catch the sock-knitting bug, you might want to invest in a sock sizing ruler for a more durable, long-term solution.

4. Remember negative ease

Socks need to stretch to stay put. A hand-knit sock should be slightly smaller than the foot it’s intended to fit. This is called negative ease. As a general rule, aim for a finished sock that’s about 10 percent smaller in circumference and half an inch shorter in length than the actual foot. For example, if your foot measures 9 inches around, choose a sock size with a finished circumference of about 8 to 8.25 inches.

As a general rule, to find your personalized negative ease measure the ball of your foot, flat on the ground, to find your circumference and then multiply that by 0.95 to find your negative ease. 

A snug fit means less slouching, and less of a chance that your socks will constantly bunch up in your shoes.

5. Try pre-darning for longer wear

Some areas of your sock may wear out faster than others. This is based on how you stand and is different for everyone. If the ball of the foot or the tips of the toes tend to wear out first, try pre-darning. Before you ever wear them, reinforce those high-friction zones with a simple duplicate stitch. It thickens the fabric without changing the fit and adds an invisible layer of strength where you need it most.

Bonus Tip: Don’t try to read the whole pattern at once

Sock patterns can look intimidating on the first pass, especially if you’re new to the process. Take it one section and even one row at a time and trust the instructions. Your socks will take shape step by step.

Ready to cast on? Starling is our favorite for smooth, strong stitches that hold up to wear. For more sock tips, check out our past Tip Tuesdays on toe-up vs. cuff-down and perfectly fitted toes.