Uploaded March 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
I love this heel. It is strong, creates a cozy fabric thicker than stocking stitch, can be used toe up or top down. I believe I unvented it - but it is so logical someone else must have done it. It can be incorporated into almost any sock even those with tricky background motifs, and by not cutting your main yarn leaves any pattern created by variegated yarns in tact after the heel is completed. The heel is removable and replaceable. Full directions are given below. I suggest practicing this on a flat piece of stocking stitch before trying in the round.
Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks
Many Happy stitches, Lucy
Heel Increase Section
RS Facing Knit an equal number of stitches as the previous row (k8), knit one previously ‘wrapped’ stitch from next needle (work this stitch as usual leaving the ‘wrap’ around the base of the stitch, don’t knit into the wrap and stitch as with stocking stitch short rows), slip next heel stitch from the Instep needle to the right-hand needle, bring the yarn between the needles (making a wrap) and return it to the Instep needle with a second wrap in place. Turn.
WS Facing Knit across all the stitches on the heel needles (k9), knit one previously ‘wrapped’ stitch from next needle, work stitch as usual, slip next heel stitch from the instep needle to the right-hand needle, bring the yarn between the needles (making a wrap)and return it to the instep needle. Turn.
RS Facing Knit across all the stitches on the heel needles (k10), knit one previously ‘wrapped’ stitch from next needle, work stitch as usual, slip next heel stitch from the instep needle to the right-hand needle, bring the yarn between the needles (making a wrap) and return it to the Instep needle. Turn.
Repeat these two rows until your last heel stitch (the one that remained the original colour) has had a second wrap of yarn. The following WS row will be the last row of the heel, it should end with the ‘wrap’ being made around the outermost (first) heel stitch. Do not transfer the wrapped stitch back to the left-hand needle. Turn. Cut off Heel yarn leaving a tail.
Resuming with the Main working yarn, tighten up any slack that has crept into the last stitches worked in Main and knit across the Heel stitches. The tail of the Heel yarn may be woven in at the back as you go.
Finishing Details
When finishing the sock, a duplicate stitch of the main colour yarn may be used to reenforce the supporting stitches on either side of the heel. This heel interferes very little with whatever type of stitch patterning is being used. In the case of a pattern which condenses the stitch width, for example, cables or stranded patterns, a smaller needle size may be used for the heel section before resuming regular patterning and needle size. A specially tough yarn may also be chosen just for the heel and the heel gauge adjusted to match the rest of the sock by the careful selection of needle size.
I love this heel. It is strong, creates a cozy fabric thicker than stocking stitch, can be used toe up or top down. I believe I unvented it - but it is so logical someone else must have done it. It can be incorporated into almost any sock even those with tricky background motifs, and by not cutting your main yarn leaves any pattern created by variegated yarns in tact after the heel is completed. The heel is removable and replaceable. Full directions are given below. I suggest practicing this on a flat piece of stocking stitch before trying in the round.
Thanks for watching, please subscribe to see new videos. My former website is now closed BUT you can now find all my patterns, e-books and virtual knitting technique DVDs at their new home at LittleBarnStudio.ca. I'm Lucyknit on Instagram.
Patterns and Cool Socks Warm Feet and Cool Knitters Finish in Style books are also available on Rav.
Also available at Craftsy.com are:
Foundations of Double Knitting
Fearless Knitting
My First Socks
Next Steps in Socks
Many Happy stitches, Lucy
Heel Increase Section
RS Facing Knit an equal number of stitches as the previous row (k8), knit one previously ‘wrapped’ stitch from next needle (work this stitch as usual leaving the ‘wrap’ around the base of the stitch, don’t knit into the wrap and stitch as with stocking stitch short rows), slip next heel stitch from the Instep needle to the right-hand needle, bring the yarn between the needles (making a wrap) and return it to the Instep needle with a second wrap in place. Turn.
WS Facing Knit across all the stitches on the heel needles (k9), knit one previously ‘wrapped’ stitch from next needle, work stitch as usual, slip next heel stitch from the instep needle to the right-hand needle, bring the yarn between the needles (making a wrap)and return it to the instep needle. Turn.
RS Facing Knit across all the stitches on the heel needles (k10), knit one previously ‘wrapped’ stitch from next needle, work stitch as usual, slip next heel stitch from the instep needle to the right-hand needle, bring the yarn between the needles (making a wrap) and return it to the Instep needle. Turn.
Repeat these two rows until your last heel stitch (the one that remained the original colour) has had a second wrap of yarn. The following WS row will be the last row of the heel, it should end with the ‘wrap’ being made around the outermost (first) heel stitch. Do not transfer the wrapped stitch back to the left-hand needle. Turn. Cut off Heel yarn leaving a tail.
Resuming with the Main working yarn, tighten up any slack that has crept into the last stitches worked in Main and knit across the Heel stitches. The tail of the Heel yarn may be woven in at the back as you go.
Finishing Details
When finishing the sock, a duplicate stitch of the main colour yarn may be used to reenforce the supporting stitches on either side of the heel. This heel interferes very little with whatever type of stitch patterning is being used. In the case of a pattern which condenses the stitch width, for example, cables or stranded patterns, a smaller needle size may be used for the heel section before resuming regular patterning and needle size. A specially tough yarn may also be chosen just for the heel and the heel gauge adjusted to match the rest of the sock by the careful selection of needle size.
