Sock advice: washing mid-knit, incomplete measurements

How-to Questions
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Hi Sock Knitters, I am knitting my first pair of socks (excepting a tiny training sock that I used to learn the basics) and I could use some advice. The intended recipient is a 90-year old man who has some challenges that complicate the situation. Any ideas at all are welcome!

So far, I have begun a vanilla sock in DK yarn (details below). I am considering it a large swatch. I cast on 60 stitches on size 2.75 mm (US 2) needles and, so far, have knit 1-1/2 inches of 1x1 ribbing and 3 inches of stockinette. I chose 60 stitches for the cast on because it is my best guess for his 24 cm (9.4 inch) ankle size, the only measurement I have so far. I hate to cut the yarn but Iā€™d like to wash it (in a washing machine so that it sees its worst) for gauge and then have him try it on and, if weā€™re lucky on the fit, wash it again for hygiene, put it back on the needles and continue. Before washing, can I just put the sock on some thin cotton yarn, and somehow tie it loosely but securely? Any suggestions?

His wife says he wears a size 15 shoe and they have great difficulty getting socks that fit, which is where this project comes in. I am hoping to get his actual foot length and possibly foot circumference before continuing. Lacking that, I plan to use statistics from Kate Atherleyā€™s Custom Socks book for the foot circumference and foot length. Kate says that a man who wears a U.S. 15 shoe has a 30 cm (11.5ā€) long foot. She says the foot circumference is usually equal to the ankle circumference, so 24 cm (9.4ā€), but she also says that a man who wears size 15 typically has a 26.5 (10.5ā€) mm foot circumference. Thatā€™s quite a difference so I think Iā€™d aim for the middle as his foot seems thick to me.

Hazel Knits DK Lively (90% superwash merino, 10% nylon 275 yards, 130 grams ) https://www.hazelknits.com/lively-dk-dk-weight/

I am basing the pattern on information from Kate Atherley that I got from these two locations:

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/one-sock

https://knitty.com/ISSUEspring05/FEATsocks101.html (Includes the training sock)

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Could you get a tracing of his foot? I have the person Iā€™m knitting socks for trace around the foot and that helps with fitting. You can use a ā€˜footprintā€™ cutout of cardboard, a cereal box is great for this, for length and you can even jot a few notes on it.

I do toe up, knit to fit, and when the sock will easily and without stretching go over the cutout the fit is right. You could check the foot on the cutout starting at the cuff I expect.

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You can certainly thread the live sts onto a length of scrap yarn, knot the ends and wash the sock.
The measurement over the heel always seems to be critical for ease in putting on the sock and for smooth fit. It might be good to turn the heel and then try on.
Sock knitters, what do you think? @Beth_Leatherman @GrumpyGramma

(GG, you read my mind!)

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Iā€™m back with more thinking. I think 60 st wonā€™t be enough. My ankle measures about 8.5 in and 60 st would be about right for me. If I recall correctly, many menā€™s sock patters call for 72 st. Also, if the ankle is a lot thinner than his foot I think a gusseted heel with an extra long heel flap might fit best. As salmomac points out, getting the sock over the heel is important and Iā€™m sure struggling to pull it on isnā€™t desirable. Iā€™ve figured out that when the cuff fits and is in place as it will be worn the heel flap (or in my usual case a faux heel flap) should reach the bottom of the heel. Measuring from the knobby ankle bone to the floor should be the same as from the back of the ankle to the floor I think. Using rib on the instep might be a good idea as it will stretch or snug up on his foot. Roxanne Richardson has a lot of videos that go into technical details about sock fitting should you care to look her up on youtube. I think sheā€™s helpful to a lot of sock knitters but sheā€™s way over my head in most instances.

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Thank you so much @GrumpyGramma and @salmonmac Getting a tracing of his foot is a great idea. It is good to have options so I will do whatever works with him in the moment. When I got the ankle measurement, I left a tape measure with him and his wife along with a request for his foot length but, so far, have not received them. As I said, there are some challenges in their household. I also like the idea of getting past the heel turn, @salmonmac . Maybe I will just do a very short sock through the heel turn, have him try it on, hopefully get his foot length, and then begin again with what I learn. I can use the practice on doing the heel anyway.

@GrumpyGramma Are you thinking of the circumference of 60 stitches using usual sock yarn? I am using DK Lively yarn by Hazel Knits (details above). I have an 8.3ā€™ā€ ankle circumference, so very similar to yours. I tried on the sock (still on the magic loop cables) this morning and it is very, very loose on me. Next, I conscripted my husband whose ankle is bigger but whose foot is shorter than my 90-yo recipient (details below) and it was a bit loose on him. When I visited, I noticed that my 90-yo friend was wearing hospital socks that fell down around his ankle.

Yes, I definitely want to avoid any struggling getting the sock on. Thank you for the suggestions on that. I like Roxanne Richardson so I will check her out for socks. I only recently discovered her. I think that dimension and foot length are the most important dimensions for the first attempt for this particular person.

My LYS suggested a ā€œbanana sockā€ for this situation. At a glance, I see there are a lot of those so I may do a little exploring.

It may not surprise either of you that I live in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S., the land of Bigfoot (aka Sasquatch). Maybe all of those reports have just been due to the footprints my husband and my friend leave when walking around our forests! :wink:

Again, many thanks. I really appreciate the time and wisdom you share with me!

____

Husband US 13: ankle circumference: 28.5 cm = 11.2ā€ (measured), foot length: US size 13, 29.8 cm = 11.7ā€(measured), Custom Socks book predicts foot length of 30 cm = 11.5 in for mensā€™ US 13 and 28 cm =11ā€ for the finished sock foot length

90-year old recipient US 15: ankle circumference: 24 cm = 9.4 inch (measured). foot length: (no measurement of his actual foot as yet) Custom Socks books predict length of 31.5 cm = 12.5 in for mensā€™ US 15, and a finished sock foot length of 30 cm =11.5ā€

(The Custom Socks book does some loose rounding that doesnā€™t exactly match 2.54 cm per inch.)

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You also need the circumference around the diagonal of the farthest tip of the heel sup around the ankle I have a high instep and I need more width to get a sock over that area. A stretchy stitch also helps. I didnā€™t realize I needed it wider there until I used a less stretchy stitch.

I havenā€™t had any issues with superwash shrinking. Many say not to dry it, but I do. My socks stretch when I wear them, so I use the dryer to get it back in shape.

I mostly use trial & error! I havenā€™t knit many socks for other people.

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I should have scrolled up and reread your post. Sorry about that. Yes, with dk that should be about right. I had to look for banana socks. Iā€™m sure Iā€™ve seen them before but didnā€™t remember what they are. In case anyone else is interested, hereā€™s a link to a free pattern. I might have to try these.

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Great ideas! Thank you!