Did you know that your knit and purl stitch tension can be completely different? Most people actually purl looser than they knit. Which means - for projects knit completely in the round - a flat swatch isn't going to give you accurate gauge information. Enter the world's weirdest fabric... essentially a giant i-cord that you can rip out and add in to your sock later if need be. Once you know your tension you can then plug the numbers into the FAL custom calculator and get snug-fitting personalised socks, just for your size!
LESSON ONE
Swatching and Pattern Choices
Your Pattern
In this follow along you will have two routes to choose from:
- You can build your own pattern, based on custom measurements and our handy calculator tools, or
- You can cast on straight away, following a standard medium size pattern and using the average needle size recommended.
All the pattern versions are available at the links below.
Swatching in the Round
Prefer not to swatch at all? We understand it's not everyone's "cup of tea", so we've provided some standard sock numbers too. Just be aware that these may end up a little loose or a little tight. You'll still be learning as you go though and you can come back to a more customised pair next time around. Yes - sock knitting is that addictive.
Using the Calculators
Before you hit the link to the custom sock calculator page, here's a very quick guide on how to enter your numbers, read the results, and input them into your worksheet.
Worksheet Download
Before you click over to the calculator page, make sure to download and print the worksheet at the link below. You can then "plug in" your numbers and keep them as a handy reference for the rest of your project.
Time to punch the numbers!
Use the Custom Sock Calculator