Sock knitting calculator: stitches, heel and toe
A sock fits when the stitch count matches your foot with a little negative ease, and when the heel and toe are worked out for your gauge. The calculator writes every round and every heel row.
Top-down
Cuff, leg, heel flap, heel turn, gusset, foot and wedge toe. For a 22 cm foot circumference: 40 sts, a heel flap over 20 sts and gusset decreases written round by round.
Worked example: socks
This is real output from the builder for size M (bust 92 cm, neck 35.5 cm, upper arm 29 cm, length 60 cm) at a gauge of 22 sts and 30 rows per 10 cm (4 in).
Key numbers
- Cast-on
- 40
- Flap sts
- 20
- Flap rows
- 20
- After heel turn
- 12
- Pick up on each side
- 11
- Gusset decreases
- 7
- Toe tip sts
- 12
Finished garment
- Circumference
- 18.2 cm
- Foot length
- 23 cm
- Leg height
- 15 cm
- Yarn (estimate)
- 200–260 m
Toe-up
Judy’s Magic Cast-On gives a seamless toe; then toe increases, foot, heel (gusset and flap or short rows) and leg. You can try it on as you go and use the yarn right to the end.
FAQ
How many stitches should I cast on for socks?
Foot circumference × 0.9 (10 % negative ease) × stitches per cm, rounded to a multiple of 8 so the stitches divide evenly between sole, instep and gussets.
Which heel is better?
A heel flap is hard-wearing and fits a high instep; a short-row heel is quicker and suits a lower instep.