Perfect Fit Socks
I think hand knit socks are one of life’s underrated pleasures. Like juicy watermelon on a steamy day or good rainboots in a downpour, hand knit socks make everything okay!
I designed these Perfect Fit Socks to wrap your feet in extra deep comfort. For an honestly perfect fit, the toe shapes around your toes with no ouchy seams; the length of the sock is customized to your foot (size charts included); the heel has cozy slip stitch padding; and the leg and top of the foot conform wonderfully to any body, thanks to 2 x 2 ribbing.
And for truly happy feet, I turned to Anzula’s latest creation, Cloud. Cloud is a beautiful blend of superwash merino (for softness and structure), nylon (for durability), and cashmere (for dreamy goodness). This yarn is so lightweight and fine that you can look forward to hand knit socks that will actually fit in your shoes! And, at a whopping 575 yards a skein, the best news is you’ll only need one!
These socks are sized for men and women, so, while you may want to get started on a pair for yourself, don’t forget dad! Father’s Day is around the corner, and in the thoughtful present category, nothing beats hand knit socks. Let him know it’s time to kick his feet up! -Whitney
Update: New Pattern + New Gauge!
April 9, 2021
This classic sock pattern is the source of inspiration for a new gauge in our new Perfect Fit Socks! Using our new 50-gram Posy skeins, this slightly heavier gauge makes just as cosy a fit! Click here to view the pattern!
Materials
In addition to a Purl Soho Perfect Fit Socks pattern, you’ll need…
- 1 skein of Anzula’s Cloud, 80% superwash merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon. We used the color Seaside.
- A set of US #1 double pointed needles
Please Note: Our original Perfect Fit Socks Pattern has been discontinued from purchase. For assistance, please contact us at customerservice@purlsoho.com or click here to view our new updated version!
Gauge
41 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
Sizes
Small/Medium (Medium/Large)
- Circumference comfortable stretches to: 8 (9) inches around the foot and 10 (11) inches around the leg
- Length: adjustable; pattern includes directions for any foot length
Pattern
Please Note: Our original Perfect Fit Socks Pattern has been discontinued from purchase. For assistance, please contact us at customerservice@purlsoho.com or click here to view our new updated version!
Hey- I have tired to use this patterns for socks and had a problem with the Gusset. My pattern does not include how many times to repeat rounds 1 and 2. Were updates made to the pattern. Ill be happy to email the copy of the pattern I am using. Thanks
Hello Debbie!
We will email you another copy of the pattern just in case you don’t have the most recent version. It seems like you feel like you think you didn’t repeat the gusset rounds enough times, correct? It should be as many times as it takes for you to get back to the number or stitches you originally cast on.
Hope this helps! -Alyson
Love this pattern! Works so well and is fun to knit.
I’ve made several of these for grown-up feet, now I would like to try and knit a pair for a newborn. Can you think of any reason why a scaled-down version of this would not work for a baby?
Also, might the reinforced heel be a bit thick in this case? Would stockinette work instead or even a continued 2×2 ribbing?
Many questions from an inexperienced knitter – sorry!
Hello Johanna!
What a cute idea! You could definitely create a similar style for a smaller pair of feet! I would recommend finding a newborn pattern for socks and then apply the ribbing down the front to add the “perfect fit” quality without having to completely re-write a pattern.
Happy knitting! -Alyson
Hi, I’m trying to decide between making this and the Purl Soho pullover. I’m a beginner who has made a few simple hats and scarves. Which pattern do you think is more beginner friendly?
Hello KP!
I would say the pullover is slightly more beginner friendly since its more graphic and requires less shaping techniques than these lovely socks. Give it a try and then tackle the socks! Best of luck! -Alyson
My preference for knitting socks is toe-up magic loop method. Can this pattern be easily modified for that method?
Hi, Josie!
Thank you for writing in! You’re best bet might be to use a toe-up pattern and then apply the ribbing down the front to add the “perfect fit” quality without having to completely re-write the pattern. Again, thank you for your question. Please let us know if you’d like further assistance!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
I’m using a different merino yarn, and I was wondering how much yardage these socks actually used? I can’t find yarn that’s exactly 575 yards like yours is… but I find them for about 400 yards, give or take.
Hello Marissa,
Thank you, that is a great question. The yarn used in the pattern, Anzula Cloud, is lighter in weight than a sock/fingering weight yarn, it is closer to a lace weight which is why the skein has more yardage in it. If you decide to substitute a different yarn make sure you do a gauge swatch and see that you are getting a close measurement. You should be able to squeeze a pair with a 400 yard sock/fingering skein. I would consider knitting the cuff a little shorter. There are so many variables to consider when using different yarn, but I hope these tips help. Please let us know if you have any other questions.
All the best,
Allison
Hello,
I am wondering if you have patterns
For knee high socks that are knitted
Using 4 needles so that no need for a seem?
By no means an advanced knitter but most interested in learning.
Thank you,
Anna
Hi Anna,
Thanks for writing in! We do have a pattern for knee high socks. The pattern is called Little Cable Knee High Socks. These socks, as with most of our sock patterns, are written to be knitted in the round. As such, they will have no seams and are generally worked using DPNs!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Hi,
I was just wondering, in the heel flap section, where is says to slip1 purlwise, are you slipping with yarn to the back or to the front of knitting?
Thanks
Milena
Hello Milena,
Thanks for writing in! For the heel flap you will slip with yarn in back for the knit row and slip yarn in back for the purl row.
I hope this helps!
-Marilla
Hello,
Wanting to make my first pair of socks, I went to the yarn store and the very helpful owner promised to coach me through the process. She had me start with 2×2 ribbing, 72 stitches per row. I was supposed to go back when I was ready for the heel, but unfortunately I ended up moving to a new city before I got to that point!
I got this pattern hoping to use it as a guide, but of course it’s based on 76-stitch rows. Is there any way for me to continue with this pattern from my current 72-stitch project?
If not, can you recommend another pattern I could continue with?
For reference: I would call myself an “advanced beginner” knitter =)
Thanks for any help you can give!
Linda
Hello Linda,
Thank you for writing us! I think you have a couple of options here. If you are someone who feels comfortable adapting patterns This one should be pretty easy to convert if you just keep in mind that you have 4 less stitches. I know there are a lot of great sock tutorials out there if you just do a quick google search with the key word basic sock pattern. The great thing about socks is that once you get the hang of the basic formula they are relatively easy to adapt. I hope all this helps and good luck!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
I’m thinking of buying this pattern to knit some socks for a friend, but she gets cold feet easily. She’s also a hiker and likes the outdoors and thought this might be a good fit. Since this is made with Cloud, how warm are these socks? They look warm, but I can’t tell.
Also, do you still take special color orders from Anzula? I still giggle since they are 5 miles from where I sit. Thanks!
Hi Katrina,
Thanks for writing in! Although Cloud is quite thin, the wool and cashmere content makes these socks nice and toasty while not being too thick or bulky! I think that they will work well for your hiker!
Best,
Cassy
I’m just starting to knit the heel flap. K2, P2 five times, K2 then turn work. P2, K2 ten times, P2.
When the work is turned the working yarn is on the left needle. Is this stitch purled or should it be slipped so that the working yarn is on the right hand needle? When it’s just purled a gap is created.
Also what is the purpose of these two steps? Why not just start working the heel flap ie. Slip knit….
Hi Dawn,
Thanks for writing in! Correct! For the heel flap, you will be working across just these stitches flat. That is to say when you turn the work, your yarn will be coming from the left and you will begin working as you would were you knitting a flat item. This section will build up as you continue and once you have completed the heel flap and turning the heel, you will pick up stitches along the sides in the gusset section. These two steps transition you from the leg to the heel flap in a way that will be tidier once the whole heel is complete.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Hi – these look like lovely socks, but given how fine the yarn is, I’m wondering about their durability. How well do they wear over time relative to a standard fingering weight yarn, that’s closer to 400 yards per 100 grams?
Also, is the weight of these skeins 100’grams or do they weigh more? Many Anzula skeins seem to be about 114 grams.
Thanks!
Hi Jenn,
Thanks for reaching out! Usually in socks, the tightness of the knitted fabric is more of a factor in durability than the weight of the yarn itself – although Anzula Cloud is a bit finer than a traditional sock or fingering weight yarn, we knitted it at a gauge of 41 stitches to 4 inches, which results in a fabric that is just as firm and sturdy as a regular sock yarn knitted at 32 to 36 stitches to 4 inches. The socks are a little thinner than most hand knit socks so it is possible that the heels and toes may need to be darned a bit sooner than normal, but we haven’t heard any reports of this happening and I would expect that the 10% nylon helps in creating a sock that lasts just about as long as any other! You are correct that Anzula yarns come in 4 ounce skeins, which is about 114 grams.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Hi, how would you adjust this pattern for a L/XL sock for a men’s size 12? Thanks!
Hello Sue,
Thank you for reaching out! The sizing in this pattern goes up to a men’s 13 so no adjusting needed. 🙂
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
was this pattern freely available on this site before? i’m trying to pick up an old project and determine if this is the one i was working on!
thanks!
Hi Emily,
Thanks for reaching out! Although we never offered this as a free pattern directly, it was an option for a free pattern when signing up for our newsletter. Please send us an email at customerservice@purlsoho.com so we can see if this is the pattern you selected and send you a new copy!
Best,
Julianna
hi im working on the heel flap and it says to repeat rows 1 and 2 18 or 20 times– does that mean 18 rows or 36 rows?
Hi Emily,
Thanks for reaching out! For this step, you will be repeating both rows 1 and 2 18 or 20 more times, which would be 38 or 42 total rows, including the first time you worked rows 1 and 2.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
Hi- I just got to the heel flap, when slipping the stitches do you move the yarn from the back to the front and back again between each slipped and knitted stitch? Or do you leave it at the back the whole time? Thanks! Charlotte
Hi Charlotte,
Thanks for reaching out! For these heel flaps, you will leave the yarn in the back for all the slip stitches. Please let us know if you run into any other questions!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Anzula Cloud and Anzula Squishy don’t seem to be currently available on your site, what is the recommendation for both these socks and the Little Cable Knee Highs pattern?
Thanks for your assistance, Lorraine
Hi Lorraine,
Thanks for reaching out! Although we no longer carry Squishy, we do still have Anzula Cloud in stock, and our Posy yarn is an excellent substitute for Squishy!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
I own the original Perfect Fit Socks pattern. Can I use it with the new midweight Posy yarn?
Thank you,
Ann
Hi Ann,
Thanks for writing in! The new pattern is actually much different from the older version, the first was written for a lace weight yarn and smaller needle size and we have now update the yarn, gauge and needles for Posy which is a fingering weight yarn! So even though they share the same name and design they are two very different versions! So if you plan on using Posy or a fingering weight yarn, the new pattern will be much more suitable since everything from the cast on amount to the decreases have been altered.
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna