Posted in knitting

Baggy Saggy Socks

Posted on by Laura Kate
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Despite my efforts to apply my best knitting skills, I frequently end up with saggy socks. They droop around the ankles, and scrunch around the in-step. It annoys me to no end when they are on my feet.

All you knitters out there are probably thinking, she didn’t get gauge, or made the wrong size. She just needs to adjust the number of stitches cast on. Well, that might be in some cases. Most of the time, it is because I forget how much superwash wool yarns can lengthen after the finished socks are washed. Even when I make a meticulous swatch AND block it.

So, I decided to try something new. Why not use a slip stitch pattern on the areas of the sock giving me the most sag?

I turned to one of my stitch dictionaries ………

……..and selected a pattern called Woven Stitch.

In essence, it is a stockinette pattern with a bar of yarn across every other stitch, every other row. The result is a firmer fabric with a little more lateral pull. If made with sock yarn that includes a bit of nylon, the fabric is stretchy enough but returns quickly to its former position. In other words, it ‘hugs” the foot.

I like it!

Sock swatch in Ewetopia’s Wisco Sock.

After working one inch of 1 x 1 ribbing, I knitted the ankle in the Woven stitch. I kept the instep in pattern while I continued along the heel and foot. Upon reaching the toe shaping, I switched to solid stockinette stitch.

Finished socks on blocking mat.

When worked in a tonal yarn, the slipped stitches break up the color transitions slightly. This results in a sort of pebbly look.

Looks and feels like a perfect fit. I will be interested to see how well these socks perform over time.

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Author:

One of six children, I was raised by a busy mom, who instilled in me a love of fabric. Though I learned to sew and knit at a young age, it was the arrival of my first grandchild that pushed me into action. A long-time knitter, I am now ready to explore all things fiber.

16 thoughts on “Baggy Saggy Socks”

  7. That sounds interesting. I wonder if you hand wash your socks, I machine wash all my superwash socks and they all shrink back to being small again after each wash so don’t have the saggy sock situation. I wonder if I was to hand wash them weather they wouldn’t shrink back as much. Just a thought.

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      1. I realise all my socks I make a short, so I’ve never had them come far up my leg so I guess that would make a difference, I also mostly knit on 2mm needles (I think US 0?) so the fabric is pretty sturdy and that also stop them getting baggy. Good luck with finding a solution for your next pair. Merry Christmas Laura

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