Note: making modifications may change the yardage needed for your pattern.

At Pacific Knit Co., we believe that knitters should feel empowered to modify their projects in any way that feels right for them. We love the freedom that Doodles offer, but know that some knitters are more comfortable with more guidance.

Modifications covered in this post:

• Adjusting the circumference of your sock
• Adjusting heel and toe shaping for a new stitch count
• Adjusting the height/length of your sock
  
• Alternate Cuff Options

Quick note before we get too far: While these modifications can be used for almost any simple sock pattern, the instructions given here refer most directly to the construction of Pacific Knit Co.'s Base Doodle Top-Down Sock. 

Remember: When making modifications, ensure that your new stitch count remains divisible by 24 or 12. See note at the end about rounding to the nearest multiple of 24 or 12 or read about Doodle Repeats. 

Want to learn general tips for substituting yarn weight? Read our full post about Changing Yarn Weight & Gauge.

Helpful calculations for making modifications

Adjusting the Circumference of a Sock

The finished circumference of a sock is determined by the number of cast-on stitches as this will determine how big around it is. More stitches means bigger circumference. Fewer stitches means smaller circumference.

To calculate stitch count for desired circumference:

• STEP 1: Find your [sts per inch] 

• STEP 2: To find out how many stitches to cast on for your desired foot circumference, use the following:

  • [desired circumference] x [sts per inch] = NUMBER OF CAST-ON STS

• For example, if I want my sock to be 8 inches around, at 9 sts per inch:

• [8 in] x [9 sts per inch] = cast on 72 sts

Check your Stitch Repeat: 

If you are using Doodle Charts to knit in colorwork, ensure that your new stitch count remains divisible by 24 or 12. See note at the end about rounding to the nearest multiple of 24 or 12 or read about Doodle Repeats.

 

Adjusting Heel Shaping for New St Count

If you have changed the number of cast-on stitches for your sock, you'll want to also adjust your numbers when working your heel shaping.

Two general rules about stitch counts for sock heels:

1. The heel will be worked over half of the total stitches

2. Decreases will be worked until 1/3 of the heel stitches remain (and then you will graft the remaining stitches together)

Example:

Adjusting an afterthought heel: Using our Base Doodle Sock

If your sock is 92 sts around:

Use the waste yarn to knit half of those sts when placing the afterthought heel (46 sts)

AND

Work the decrease rounds until 1/3 of the sts remain on each DPN (16 sts*) 

Graft remaining sts together

*Note: Each DPN will have [half the sts + 2], because you pick up a different row with each DPN + pick up 2 sts in each corners (46 + 2 = 48 sts on each DPN). 

 

Adjusting Toe Shaping for New St Count

If you have changed the number of cast-on stitches, you'll want to also adjust the numbers when working your toe shaping.

Two general rules about stitch counts for sock toes:

1. Decrease on alternate rounds until 50% of the stitches remain

2. Decrease on every round until 25% of the stitches remain

Example:

Adjusting toe shaping: Using our Base Doodle Sock

If your sock is 96 sts around:

Rnd 1: *k1, ssk, knit to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, k1, rep from * 1 more time

Rnd 2: Knit all sts

Repeat Rnds 1-2 until 50% of the original st count remains (48 sts)

Repeat Rnd 1 until 25% of the original st count remains (24 sts)

Graft remaining sts together

 

Adjusting the Height & Length of a Sock

The height/length of a sock is very flexible, because it is simply determined by how many rounds you knit. To adjust the height/length, cast on as-written, and then just knit for as long (or as short) as you like during the sock leg and sock foot sections! 

If you are knitting plain, this can be as easy as just measuring/trying on your project as you go. If you are knitting colorwork, and want to know a more exact round count so you can plan out your charts, keep reading:

To calculate round count for desired dimension:

• STEP 1: Find your [rnds per inch]

• STEP 2: To find out how many rounds you need to knit for the desired finished height/length, use the following:

  • [desired height/length in inches] x [rnds per inch] = NUMBER OF ROUNDS

• For example, if I want a 10 inch tall leg on my sock, and my swatch is 9 rnds per inch:

• [10 in] x [9 rnds per in] = knit 90 rounds

Note: If you are modifying a short sock to be taller, you may need to adjust the circumference to accommodate your calf. See 'Adjusting the circumference' section above.

Calculate your Doodle Rounds: 

If you change how long you want to knit your project, you can still figure out how many Doodle Rounds to plan for when designing your Doodle Master Chart. Check out Doodle Math: Row Gauge & Chart Height for more information.

 

Alternate Cuff Options for Socks

Want to try a different style of cuff/edge? After casting on, try replacing the simple ribbing with one of the styles below (worked to desired cuff height):

• 1 x 1 Twisted Ribbing: *k1tbl, p1, repeat to end 

• 2x2 Ribbing: *k2, p2, repeat to end

• Corrugated Ribbing: *k1 MC, p1 CC, repeat to end. (note that this specific ribbing is less stretchy, so you won't need as much negative ease for this style)

Then work the remainder of the pattern as written. 

Other Modification Options

Many sock patterns accommodate a lot of mix-and-match options. You can choose a different edging type to replace the ribbing at the cuff. You can often swap out the heel and toe construction methods for others. And of course, our Base Doodle Sock pattern is perfect for adding colorwork!

There really are almost endless options to make your knitting project your own. Don't be afraid to play around with different techniques and modifications to create something truly unique!

Checking Stitch Counts for Doodle Repeat Sizing

While you can definitely knit our Base Doodle Patterns in plain stockinette, if you are using Doodle Charts to knit in colorwork, you'll want to ensure that your new stitch count remains divisible by 24 or 12.

For example, if I wanted a sock that was 9 inches around at pattern gauge:

• [9 inches] x [9 sts per inch] = cast on 81 sts

In this example, 81 is NOT divisible by 12 or 24.

To make the stitch count work for Doodle Charts, we can either go down to 72 stitches (divisible by 24) or go up to 84 (divisible by 12).

Bonus step: Recheck your sizing. If you adjusted your size to accommodate 12 or 24st repeats, re-check your sizing by using the inverse of formula above:

• [cast on st count] / [sts per inch] = [finished circumference]

• For example, if we chose to round up to 84 sts:

• [84 sts] / [9 sts per inch] = 9.3 in finished circumference

If that size works for you, then you're all set! Cast on the new amount and work the pattern as written. If that's not quite right, go ahead and repeat the math with the next closest option divisible by 12 or 24.

 

Happy Doodling!

Want more info? The complete PDF pattern for our Base Doodle Socks (including detailed techniques, modification options and blank colorwork charts) is available on our website and on Ravelry.

Want to add colorwork? Take a look at our full library of Doodle Colorwork Charts (dozens of themes to choose from as either digital downloads or physical card decks).

 

Blog co-written by Jamie Lomax and Grey Lundy