How to Knit Socks: Short-Row Sock Heels

Blossom Lady
Nov 12, 2020 06:18 AM
How to Knit Socks: Short-Row Sock Heels

Hello, dear knitters! In the third lesson of the series of lessons, aimed to teach you how to knit socks from scratch, I invite you to learn how to make short-row sock heels. Find out how to work short-row heels, when to use them, and how to adapt them for wider or narrower heels.

Typically, it is worked using the wrap-and-turn method of creating short rows, but you can opt for your favorite short-row method. Once you learn how to knit socks using a short row method, you will likely never make heel flaps or afterthought heels again.

They look much neater than heel flaps and there is no need to go back and insert the heel after the rest of the sock is made as in afterthought heels. At first, the idea of short rows seems a little mysterious, but in my opinion they are easier and actually speed up the sock knitting process.

Knitting two socks simultaneously is particularly useful if you are knitting a short row heel. It helps remember what you are doing as you work both heels at the same time and you will have both socks looking the same. The short row heel is worked over 30 stitches (half of the total stitches cast on for the sock). The heel is knit in two parts. For the back of the heel you are decreasing the number of stitches gradually until you are ready to turn the heel. Then you gradually increase the number of stitches until you have 30 stitches again.

Abbreviations:

sl 1 - slip 1 stitch; p - purl; k - knit;

Instructions

Place 30 stitches onto one needle.

Back of Heel

  • Row 1: Sl 1, p28, turn
  • Row 2: Sl 1, k27, turn
  • Row 3: Sl 1, p26, turn
  • Row 4: Sl 1, k25, turn
  • Row 5: Sl 1, p24, turn
  • Row 6: Sl 1, k23, turn
  • Row 7: Sl 1, p22, turn
  • Row 8: Sl 1, k21, turn
  • Row 9: Sl 1, p20, turn
  • Row 10: Sl 1, k19, turn
  • Row 11: Sl 1, p18, turn
  • Row 12: Sl 1, k17, turn
  • Row 13: Sl 1, p16, turn
  • Row 14: Sl 1, k15, turn
  • Row 15: Sl 1, p14, turn
  • Row 16: Sl 1, k13, turn
  • Row 17: Sl 1, p12, turn
  • Row 18: Sl 1, k11, turn
  • Row 19: Sl 1, p10, turn
  • Row 20: Sl 1, k9, turn
  • Turn the Heel

  • Row 1: Sl 1, p8, [sl 1, pick up loop in the gap before the next st, p the sl st and the loop together (Heel Turn Row 1)], turn
  • Row 2: Sl 1, k8, [sl 1, pick up and k1 st in the gap before the next st (Heel Turn Row 2)], turn
  • Row 3: Sl 1, p9, work as Heel Turn Row 1, turn
  • Row 4: Sl 1, k10, work as Heel Turn Row 2, turn
  • Row 5: Sl 1, p11, work as Heel Turn Row 1, turn
  • Row 6: Sl 1, k12, work as Heel Turn Row 2, turn
  • Row 7: Sl 1, p13, work as Heel Turn Row 1, turn
  • Row 8: Sl 1, k14, work as Heel Turn Row 2, turn
  • Row 9: Sl 1, p15, work as Heel Turn Row 1, turn
  • Row 10: Sl 1, k16, work as Heel Turn Row 2, turn
  • Row 11: Sl 1, p17, work as Heel Turn Row 1, turn
  • Row 12: Sl 1, k18, work as Heel Turn Row 2, turn
  • Row 13: Sl 1, p19, work as Heel Turn Row 1, turn
  • Row 14: Sl 1, k20, work as Heel Turn Row 2, turn
  • Row 15: Sl 1, p21, work as Heel Turn Row 1, turn
  • Row 16: Sl 1, k22, work as Heel Turn Row 2, turn
  • Row 17: Sl 1, p23, work as Heel Turn Row 1, turn
  • Row 18: Sl 1, k24, work as Heel Turn Row 2, turn
  • Row 19: Sl 1, p25, work as Heel Turn Row 1, turn
  • Row 20: Sl 1, k26, work as Heel Turn Row 2, turn
  • Row 21: Sl 1, p27, work as Heel Turn Row 1, turn
  • Row 22: Sl 1, k14, begin the new round in the center of of the heel from this point

    Continue from the center point of row 22, start the next round, k14, sl 1, picking up the loop in the gap between the instep stitches and heel stitches. Work as for Heel Turn Row 2. There will be 15 stitches on each of the 4 needles.

    Tip

    You can adjust the width of your heel by adjusting the number of short rows you work. When changing the numbers, always make sure your unwrapped center stitches plus all wrapped side stitches equal the total number of heel stitches.

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