Find out how to work short-row heels, when to use them, and how to adapt them for wider or narrower heels. Clare Devine is your guide.
Take almost any pair of commercially produced socks from your sock drawer and it is likely that you’ll find a short-row heel.
This heel is created in the same way, regardless of whether you are knitting top-down or toe-up. It is knitted in two stages using short-row shaping.
Typically, it is worked using the wrap-and-turn method of creating short rows, but you can opt for your favourite short-row method. Shadow wraps and Japanese short rows are good options to try.
During the first stage you gradually reduce the width of the heel panel, resulting in a set of unworked stitches in the centre and a set of wrapped stitches on either side.
The second stage involves widening the heel panel, working longer short rows each time to complete the heel.
The sock is then joined for working in the round again, and you are ready for the work on the leg or foot to be completed. In the picture below, a stocking stitch short-row heel has been used.
The two main drawbacks of the short-row heel are linked to fit and durability. The lack of a gusset means this is not always the best option for people whose feet have a high instep. You can adjust the fit, but you certainly do not have as much flexibility as you would with a heel flap. The short-row heel is also harder to reinforce, leaving it slightly lagging in the durability stakes.
Drawbacks aside, this is an excellent heel type to use if you are working with a self-striping yarn, as there will be minimal disruption to the colour pattern.
A fabulous variation of this heel is worked in garter stitch. The squishy texture of garter stitch creates a wonderfully comfortable heel. The added bonus with this option is easier short rows. If you are working a standard wrap-and- turn, you do not need to pick up the wraps when you knit back as the garter stitch will mask them.
One thing to bear in mind is that garter rows tend to be more condensed than stocking stitch rows, and therefore you will get a slightly shallower heel. This can be countered by working a longer, narrower heel.
The sample stitch counts given here are based on a cast-on stitch count of 56 (64:72) sts.
Row 1 (RS) K to last st, w&t.
Row 2 (WS) P to last st, w&t.
Row 3 K to stitch before the first wrapped st you come to, w&t.
Row 4 P to stitch before the first wrapped st you come to, w&t.
Rep rows 3 and 4 until 9 (10:12) sts are wrapped on either side of 10 (12:12) unwrapped centre sts.
Row 1 (RS) Sl 1, K to first wrapped st, work wrap and next st together, w&t (this stitch will now have two wraps).
Row 2 (WS) Sl 1, P to first wrapped st, work wrap and next st together, w&t (this stitch will now have two wraps).
Row 3 Sl 1, K to next wrapped st, work both wraps and next st together, w&t (this stitch will now have two wraps).
Row 4 Sl 1, P to next wrapped st, work both wrap and next st together, w&t (this stitch will now have two wraps).
Rep rows 3 and 4 until you have one wrapped on either side.
Next row Sl 1, K to last wrapped st, work wrap and next st together, pm; do not turn work: this will be the start of your new rnd.
Next rnd Knit across instep, work wrap and st together, K to end of rnd.
Main image: Ananas socks by Clare Devine from The Knitter issue 86.
Want to try another sock heel method? Take a look at our afterthought heels tutorial. And create perfect sock toes to match your perfect heels!
