Monica Knits

Heel DetailAt this stage of the toe up sock, the increases for the ankle have been completed (gusset) and it is time to turn the corner from the horizontal base of the foot, to the vertical orientation of the leg. Short row shaping is used to create a small cup, the turning heel, for this function. Read more ... for detailed step-by-step instructions on forming the turning heel with short row shaping.

To view a larger image, click on the thumbnail.

This article is one segment of the "Basic Toe-Up Sock" series. The demonstration sock, a woman's medium size, is based on 64 leg sts. To link to other articles in this series, either: a) click on the index hyperlink in the masthead, then socks and select the desired article or, b) click on the Basic Toe Up Sock link at the bottom of this article, then click on the desired topic.

Basic Toe Up Sock - Turning Heel
As preparation for the turning heel, 15 sts from either end of the sole needle (Needle 1, from prior step), will be moved to the needle holding the instep stitches. The heel turn is then worked on the remaining 30 center stitches.

With Needle #2 (instep needle) knit the first 15 stitches from Needle #1 (sole needle) to transfer these 15 stitches to the tail end of the instep needle. Transfer the last 15 stitches from the tail end of the sole needle to the beginning of the instep needle. Thirty (30) sts now reside on the sole needle.

Turning Heel
The basic process on a knit row is to slip the first stitch purlwise, knit to the last stitch (or stitch before the marker), slip the stitch purlwise and wrap it. Wrapping is used to create smooth transitions without holes. The purl row is similar to the knit row in that the first stitch is slipped, the next sts are worked (purled) and the last stitch (or stitch before the marker) is slipped and wrapped. On each successive round 1 fewer stitch is worked. The basic process will be described, then the knit rows and purl rows will be detailed separately. Please note that fingers may have been moved out of their normal knitting positions so that the stitch is visible in a photograph.

1. Row 1: Slip 1 purlwise, K28 (2nd last st), sl and wrap the last st, turn (Step by step photos follow.)
2. Row 2: Slip 1 purlwise, P27, sl and wrap the last stitch, turn
3. Repeat the processes of rows 1 and 2, decreasing the stitches worked by one, until you have completed row 16 (sl 1, p13, sl and wrap).

Knit Step 00 Knit Step 0

Knit Step 1 Knit Step 2 Knit Step 3 Knit Step 4 Knit Step 5 Knit Step 6 Knit Step 7

Short Row, Knit Row Details

1. The needles have just been turned after a purl row (even row). A marker indicates the most recent slipped and wrapped stitch from the prior row. Refer to Image: Knit Step 00. Notice how the yarn comes towards the knit side from between the slipped stitch and the prior slipped stitch--this creates the wrap. This particular wrap is explained under the purl row instructions below.
2. The wrap from the purl row is completed when the yarn is brought to the back of the work in preparation for the knit row. Knit Step 0.
3. Sl st purlwise wyib. Knit Step 1. Knit across to the last stitch (st before marker).
4. Sl purlwise wyib. Knit Step 2.
5. Bring yarn to front between the slipped stitch and the marker. Knit Step 3.
6. Remove marker. Knit Step 4. You can see the prior wrapped stitches on the left hand needle.
7. Move the stitch just slipped back to the left hand needle. The yarn comes to the front between the most recent slipped stitch and the prior wrapped stitch. Knit Step 5.
8. Place the marker on the end of the left hand needle. Knit Step 6.
9. Turn the work and bring the yarn to the front, completing the wrap and placing the yarn in position for the purl row. Knit Step 7.

Purl Step 0 Purl Step 1 Purl Step 2 Purl Step 3

Purl Step 4 Purl Step 5 Purl Step 6 Purl Step 7 Purl Step 8

Short Row, Purl Row Details

1. The knit row has been completed and the work has been turned to the purl side. The yarn is brought to the front. Purl Step 0.
2. The first stitch is slipped purlwise wyif. Purl Step 1.
3. Purl across to stitch before marker. Purl Step 2.
4. Make sure the yarn is in front before slipping the last stitch before the marker. Purl Step 3.
5. Slip the last stitch before the marker purlwise wyif. Purl Step 4.
6. Bring yarn to back between the slipped stitch and the marker. Purl Step 5.
7. Remove marker. Purl Step 6.
8. Place slipped stitch on left needle, maintaining yarn position. Purl Step 7.
9. Place marker on left needle. Purl Step 8. If you look at the photos for knit steps 0 and 00, you will see the wrap completed for the purl row.

Quality Control Tips

1. The turning heel markers act as a visual aid to keep track of the stitches wrapped and the next stitch in sequence. They also make it easier to count how many stitches are left to work in between. With this light green yarn, it is quite easy to see the wrapped stitches, but this may not be the case with dark colors.
2. You may find a row counter a useful redundancy, to keep track of the number of stitches to work: row 1 (28), row 2 (27), row 3 (26), row 4 (25),.... row 16 (13).

NEXT STEP - Heel Flap
After the heel flap is worked, the sock is again worked in the round.

Click here to transfer to the Basic Toe Up Sock article.

Click here to transfer to the Toe Up Sock - Gusset article.

Further Reading - Short Row Heel
Bordhi, Cat, Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles: A manual of elegant knitting techniques and patterns, Passing Paws Press, Friday Harbor, WA, 2006, pp. 37-38.