We recently received a query from Barb, a lovely knitter from Calgary, who was looking for sock patterns suitable for bunions. Realising that this topic could be valuable to many others facing a similar challenge, we shared our insights here. Bunions vary in severity, making it difficult for designers to safely create a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, we believe in empowering knitters like you with the knowledge of modifying sock patterns to suit your specific needs!
Knitting socks is a cherished craft, offering warmth and coziness to our feet. However, for individuals with bunions, the standard sock pattern might not provide the desired comfort and fit. But worry not, with a few simple adjustments, you can create socks that accommodate bunions without compromising on style or functionality. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the process of modifying a sock pattern for bunions to make it bunion-friendly.
Step 1: Choosing the Right Pattern
To begin, select a sock knitting pattern that offers a basic construction, such as top-down or toe-up socks with a simple stitch pattern. These patterns provide more flexibility for adjustments, making them ideal for customisation. Overly complicated patterns may make adding increases and decreases to the pattern a little more tricky! So get a few easier patterns while you find your bearings and learn how to knit for your specific bunion case.
Step 2: Measure the Bunion Area
The first essential step is to measure the bunion area on your foot accurately. Note the width and height of the bunion to determine how much extra space you’ll need to add to the sock. Also measure the space directly under the bunion, on the heel side, so that you’ll know what size to work from in the pattern.
Step 3: Adding Extra Stitches
Once you have the measurements, calculate the number of extra stitches needed to accommodate the bunion. To do this, you’ll take your bunion measurement and subtract the second measurement that you took from your bunion measurement. Let’s assume, for this example, you need an extra 1″ / 2.5 cm of width to comfortably fit the bunion. If your gauge indicates 8 stitches x 10 rounds per 1″ / 2.5 cm, you’ll add 8 extra stitches to give the bunion enough room. These modifications will mean your socks are going to be left/right specific, which may make them wear out a bit sooner than normal as they’re not getting rotated at all.
For a cuff-down sock; if you’re adding 2 increases on the side that has the bunion every second row to start making room to accommodate for the bunion, and need a total of 8 stitches increased, this would mean the math would be as follows. 8 sts divided by 2 increases per round equals 4 increase rounds. As we are increasing every second round, you’ll then multiply that by 2. So our increase for the bunion would take place across 8 total rounds. This means you’ll want to work your sock until it’s 0.75″ / 2 cm before the bunion. When you work the toe directions after, you’ll want to work additional decreases on the same side as the toe so that you’ll still work the toe length that the designer intends.
For a toe-up sock; you’ll want to add your additional increases to one side of the toe (the side that the bunion is on). This will allow you to still work the toe length that the designer intends. Once you’ve worked the sock to the widest part (where the bunion is) you’ll then need to start decreasing on the bunion side.
Throughout, the increases and decreases that you choose to use while modifying the sock are completely up to you. Try to use increases and decreases that complement and blend with the specific pattern you’re using for seamless results! As patterns vary, there’s no blanket answer as to what’s best to use that we can supply here.
Step 4: Test and Adjust
As feet are incredibly unique, you may need to adjust your increase or decrease frequencies (perhaps you need it every 3 rounds as opposed to every 2 in our example!). As you progress, periodically try the sock on to ensure the modifications fit comfortably around the bunion area. This step is crucial to achieving the perfect fit. Adjust the number of stitches or rows if needed.
Conclusion
With a bit of creativity and thoughtful modifications, you can transform a standard sock knitting pattern into a bunion-friendly masterpiece. The key is to measure accurately, add the correct number of stitches, and test the fit as you go. By doing so, you’ll create socks that provide both style and comfort for those with bunions. So grab your needles, select a beautiful yarn, and embark on this knitting journey to keep your toes toasty and your feet happy! Happy knitting!