Dear Knitters,
How does one ensure an accurate fit for recipients who are not available for in-person measurements? Does it make sense to ask for a (standing) foot imprint as well as the most obvious (toe to beginning of gusset, bottom of heel to ankle, etc)?
Even trickier, how would one ensure an accurate fit for long-distance recipients when the socks are a surprise gift? Or should knitters not attempt to do that?
Signed,
Perplexed Penelope
What do you think? Leave her some help below. If you have questions you'd like answered, e-mail allison@simplysockyarn.com and title it Ask the Knitters.
Probably giving myself away here, but very few of my surprise sock recipients read the same things I do!
I don't let them know that I'm knitting socks for them. I ask, casually, "What's your shoe size?"
and then do a kind of, "really? I'm size x and a half myself" and do a kind of shoe/sandal comparison conversation.
I also kind of point a conversation into the kind of socks I like to wear, colors, types of yarn, not letting on the whole time that I'm remembering size, color preferences, sock preferences, and so on. Just making sure that I write it down in my knitting journal or some place safe for reference.
Lots of times the surprised recipients have no recollection of the discussions we've had on shoes, socks, or colors at all.
Posted by: Anna | June 18, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Like Anna, I also ask, "What size shoe do you wear?" and then proceed to discuss shoes. Later I compare shoe size to sock size. My favorite sock book is Charlene Schurch, "Sensational Knitted Socks." She has an excellent table on shoe size to sock size. So far this has worked well when the socks are a surprise.
Posted by: SusanB | June 18, 2008 at 10:43 AM
I move some generic conversation around to shoes and nonchalantly ask their shoe size. I can get close enough from that.
Posted by: Laurenm | June 18, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Yep, I also go the shoe size route! If they are gift socks I also tend to try to use a pattern that is really stretchy like ribbing and certain lace patterns. I wouldn't make surprise Jaywalkers for someone!
Posted by: Bertha | June 18, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Mostly I don't do surprise socks. I cannot bring myself to go by shoe size because I wear a size 9.5-10 and my measurements are nowhere near those listed in Schurch's book.
My one surprise pair I knit to my foot size. I figured if it came out a bad fit then I'd take it back and knit a new pair. They fit my grandmother fine, she says she loves them.
I am toying wit the idea of doing the heelless socks from the new book "knitted socks" for Christmas presents.
Posted by: Laura | June 18, 2008 at 11:45 AM
I do the same thing others do and try to surreptitiously find out the recipient's shoe size. Then, if I'm worried about sizing, I find a local friend with similarly sized feet to try on my WIPs to make sure I've made them the right length.
Posted by: sprite | June 18, 2008 at 11:56 AM
I kind of do the shoe size thing if I believe they have a normal width foot. Wider or narrower can be a problem. I have very thin feet and usually have to make adjustments accordingly. You might consider checking in with a close relative of the recipient for help with the problem especially if the recipient knows you are a big sock knitter AND is a good guesser.
Posted by: Jan | June 18, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Yarn ahrlot has a lovely estimating chart in one of her books (I think it is Knitting Rules) It has a fairly accurate gauge-guesstimate about a person's height and their relative shoe size :-)
Posted by: Teyani | June 18, 2008 at 12:49 PM
I don't believe in surprise socks. To me, the beauty of hand-knits is the perfect fit.
Posted by: Dave | June 18, 2008 at 01:04 PM
I knit for shoe size. Socks are stretchy and wear-in to fit perfectly. If I know a person has a wide or narrow foot, I add or subtract a few stitches in the round. It's worked for me so far...
Posted by: Loribird | June 18, 2008 at 02:35 PM
Shoe size but I prefer measurements. However,I can recommend Cascade Fixation in the Broadripple Pattern (Knitty). It is a stretchy yarn and pattern.
Posted by: Cyndy | June 18, 2008 at 02:36 PM
I too generally use the shoe size as a starting point. But I generally only knit socks for myself & the grands. I did knit one pair for my SO who wears a size 13 EEE shoe. Even using DK weight yarn, they took forever. Love knitting those little socks for the grands - & they are the most appreciative recipients ever (so are my niece's 3 children).
Posted by: Donna | June 18, 2008 at 04:52 PM
Thank you everyone for your generous feedback ... and please keep 'em coming! I never tire of insights from expert knitters.
A special Thank You to Allison for allowing me to post a question c/o her blog.
Posted by: Perplexed Penelope | June 18, 2008 at 05:05 PM
I just out and out ask the person or measure them directly. Everyone knows I'm a sock knitter. The fact that I am going to knit socks is no surprise to anyone. They just might be excited to figure out that they are getting some though, if it's their first pair!
Posted by: Nancy | June 18, 2008 at 07:04 PM
I knit a pair of socks for myself, and when they don't fit my feet, I start making the rounds, like the prince with Cinderella's glass slipper. If they fit your feet, they are your socks.
Posted by: Abby | June 19, 2008 at 02:47 PM
I usually ask someone close to the person, i.e. their husband, parent, son or daughter, for their shoe size.
Posted by: Angela | June 19, 2008 at 06:02 PM
Hi! I've made a few surprise pairs and I usually ask someone who lives with them to measure a footprint inside a sandal. I tell them it's a surprise for that person and not to let them know. If they have a pair of well worn sandals, even the inside of a shoe, that person can usually get an accurate measurement of your recipients foot.
Posted by: Trisha Allison | June 25, 2008 at 05:59 PM