Whether knitting or crocheting, there are two essential foot measurements that will lead to well-fitted handmade socks:

1. Measuring foot length heel to toe.
2. Measuring foot circumference at widest part.

Read on for how to accurately take these foot measurements for socks and how to calculate negative ease.

If you prefer If you prefer a video tutorial on How to Measure for Handmade Socks, click here for one I have made.

Taking accurate foot measurements

For accurate measurements, the foot should be bare, the floor must be hard (no carpets) and the measurement should be taken whilst standing up (if possible) so that the impact of body weight is reflected in the measurements.

Measuring Foot Length

1. Secure a piece of paper on a hard floor, against a wall.  This creates a helpful backstop for the heel to move back to that matches the edge of the paper.
2. Place the heel against the wall and parallel to the long edge of the paper.
3. Use a pen or pencil to mark the longest toe on the foot.
4. Using a ruler, measure from the edge of the paper where the back of the heel was, to the marker.
5. Write down the foot length measurement.

If you have one foot larger than the other, I suggest using the measurement of the smaller foot.   It’s better to have a small amount of negative ease on one foot than an excess of fabric.

I don’t add any negative ease to the length of my sock. The negative ease in the circumference helps to create some negative ease on the length when the socks is worn.

Measuring Foot circumference

This measurement is essential to know before you start making your sock. If you do not know the circumference of the foot, how do you know what size to make?

1. Using a soft measuring tape, place it on a hard floor surface.
2. Stand on the measuring tape, making sure the widest part of your foot is across the tape measure.  This is usually the ball of your foot. 
3. Measure all the way around the widest part of the foot to get the circumference. 
4. Write down the foot circumference measurement.

Calculating negative ease for sock circumference

Let’s use my foot circumference to measure the amount of negative ease I require.

My foot is 23cm in circumference.  I aim for 10% – 15% of negative ease in my knitted and crocheted socks.  This keeps them tight on my foot because the sock circumference is less than my foot circumference.

23 / 100 = 0.23 (1% of my foot circumference)

0.23 x 90 = 20.7cm sock circumference with 10% negative ease

The sock I am currently knitting has a blocked gauge of 15 stitches to 5cm or 3 stitches per 1cm.

Therefore, my 20.7cm required circumference is calculated at 20.7cm x 3 sts = 62.1sts

Knitted sock patterns are generally in stitch multiples of 4 (48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72 stitch socks) and so you most likely need to round your circumference measurement up or down to a multiple of 4.

I prefer to round mine down and knit a 60 stitch sock on 2.25mm needles.  I have found that slightly tighter socks fit better on my feet and stay up properly when I am wearing them. 

This gives me a final sock circumference of 20cm and 13% negative ease from my foot circumference. 

With crocheted socks, the stitches are much bigger and depending on the stitches used in the pattern, they may have a lot less elasticity. If this is the case, you may want less negative ease, using 5% as a starting point?

Experience tells me that I rarely have to swatch for knitted socks because stocking stitch is usually involved. With crocheted socks however, a much larger range of stitches tends to show up in patterns and that means that creating a blocked gauge swatch is essential for crocheted sock success.

If you are unable to stand up to take the measurement, you may want to use less negative ease in your sock calculation. When your full body weight is on your feet it makes the foot circumference larger. Sat down my circumference is 21.75cm.

Top Tip

Write down both the foot length and foot circumference measurements in a useful place like a diary. 

I keep a list of measurements for all the people I regularly knit and crochet socks for, so that I can quickly reference it when needed.  

Sock Patterns You Might Like

• Blathan Sock
• Mini Mania Socks
• Aloe Socks