[jcbraggins]

Does anyone else have this problem? I can barely get my socks over my heels! I have knit several pair, following instructions. They fit fine once on, but there must be something I'm doing wrong. I have mostly done cuff-down, one pair toe-up, same problem. I do magic loop, and want to try two at a time, but I want to avoid/eliminate this problem. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Judi

 

[jadancey]

What kind of heel are you knitting and how many stitches are you using?

 

[quiltdaze37]

need loose cast on for cuff down or if toe up decrease loosely or go to a bigger needle

 

[mopgenorth]

Does anyone else have this problem? I can barely get my socks over my heels! I have knit several pair, following instructions. They fit fine once on, but there must be something I'm doing wrong. I have mostly done cuff-down, one pair toe-up, same problem. I do magic loop, and want to try two at a time, but I want to avoid/eliminate this problem. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Judi

did you do a gauge swatch? that can make a world of difference.

 

[cottonginniestudio]

are you using sock yarn?

 

[vchase]

Dear Judi,

Do you have a high instep ? If so this is your fitting problem.

It has been a long time since I had this problem, but my husband had a high or thick instep and the 1st socks I made for him would not go on over his instep. I solved the problem by adding some sts to the pattern, it's been so long ago, 30 years or more, that I cannot remember how many I put in. It worked, he had always had the high instep problem when fitting shoes which involved the instep.

Hope this helps.

V chase

 

[mopgenorth]

Dear Judi,

Do you have a high instep ? If so this is your fitting problem.

It has been a long time since I had this problem, but my husband had a high or thick instep and the 1st socks I made for him would not go on over his instep. I solved the problem by adding some sts to the pattern, it's been so long ago, 30 years or more, that I cannot remember how many I put in. It worked, he had always had the high instep problem when fitting shoes which involved the instep.

Hope this helps.

V chase

here is a great (free!) pattern that has adjustments for a high instep:

http://knitfreedom.com/free-patterns/high-instep-toe-up-sock-pattern-fingering

I was one of the test knitters so I can also attest to the fact that it's a really easy sock to knit.

 

[RookieRetiree]

I have a high instep and need that top cuff to be very stretchy -- so I use the Twisted German cast on and it is wonderful --- no more tugging and pulling.

 

[Yarn Happy]

Your problem may be as simple as your cast on or bind off, if either one is too tight you do not get enough stretch to put them on easily. Try stretching your ribbing and see if you have enough give.

 

[crispie]

I usually cast on with needles that are a size larger than the ones I will use for the rest of the sock. You can use the larger size only for the cast on, or for the rib portion at the top of the sock since that will "draw in" when worn.

 

[azmoonbugs]

What kind of heel are you knitting and how many stitches are you using?

I'm what my DH calls "large-ish" so I make a bigger sock with 68-72 stitches on the leg and knit my heel flap about 35 rows to give me 17 stitches and decrease back to 68 and my socks fit me fine-

You might want to start with more stitches if the leg is too tight or make a longer heel flap if your instep is high.

 

[jcbraggins]

You knitters are my favorite cyber friends! All your suggestions are things to try. I have a small foot (US size 6) and usually have 60 stitches of sock yarn. I've tried a couple stretchy cast ons, but adding more sts to the gusset sounds like the fix, so a special thanks to Mopgonorth for the pattern link and to V chase for suggesting the high instep issue.
I've purchased the directions for the FLK heel, having read so many of your comments, so that's in the plans for the next pair.

 

[Jules934]

Is the entire cuff too tight or does it feel like the problem is just at the very beginning -- like a too tight string is there?

If it's the second case, you cast on or bind off is too tight. Try going up a couple of needle sizes for the cast on/bind off. You may have similar problems with sweater cuffs and collars.

 

[chooksnpinkroses]

As you say they fit ok once you have them on, sounds like your cast on may be too tight. I cast on over 2 needles and then knit as normal. I also have extra stitches at the top of the leg part and decrease as I go down, because legs are generally wider at the calf than the ankle. You can add as many stiches as you think you'll need, I have 12 more and decrease 6 stitches 1/3 way down then decrease the last 6 stitches 2/3 way down to heel shaping. I start with 72 stitches and end up with 60, 2.25mm needles, 4ply sock yarn.

 

[Ronie]

well you need to figure out where they are too tight and add probably 2 or 4 more stitches..

 

[tamarque]

Agree with Ronie. Lot's of solutions, but need to begin with the source of the problem.

 

[katelloyd]

I make very traditional socks (I call them utility socks) and for the cuff, I do 2 knit, 1 purl to about the ankle, then decrease to 1 and 1. It's hardly noticeable, and solves the problem of a too tight cast on

 

[knitster475]

The problem is usually with the number of stitches picked up for the heel gusset. Generally, you pick up about one fourth of the total number of stitches along each side of the heel flap for the gusset. For example, if you cast on 64 stitches for the sock, you will knit 32 stitches for 32 rows to form the heel flap. After short row shaping to turn the heel, you pick up 16 stitches on each side of the heel flap for the gusset. 16 stitches is one fourth of the total 64 stitches.

Instead of picking up 16 stitches on each side of the flap for the gusset, try picking up 18 or 19 stitches. To get the extra stitches, you can skip slipping the first stitch of every row 2 or 3 times giving you extra edge stitches you can pick up, but I usually can pick up the extra stitches without doing this. It is surprising, but 4 - 6 extra stitches makes a significant difference.

Another option is to use more stitches for the heel flap. Instead of using half the stitches for the flap and half for the top of the foot, reserve fewer stitches for the top and more for the flap. In most cases, 2 more stitches on each side of the flap should be sufficient and shouldn't change the look of the sock.

 

[Suesknits]

My hubby has a VERY high instep. I currently have his first pair on my needles using knit freedom's pattern. I've been following it all the way through taking time to try on him often. So far they are fitting him perfect.

http://knitfreedom.com/free-patterns/high-instep-toe-up-sock-pattern-fingering

I recommend this pattern for you and be careful to use a very stretchy bind-off.

I'm on the home stretch with my socks. Have about 5 more inches until my cuff.

He's more excited than I am I think!