Monica Knits

The two socks differ in the number of loops of each stitch within the chain stitch selvedge that were picked up from the side of the heel flap. On the left, both loops of each chain stitch were picked up. On the right, just the back loops. The arrow points to the center of a column of knit stitches. On the left, you see the last column is complete. On the right, by picking up just the back loops, a ridge (1/2 a knit stitch) is formed.

Image 1Recently the method of picking up gusset stitches through both loops was illustrated. In this article the gusset stitches are picked up through the back loops only of the heel flap. Read more ... for stepwise, illustrated instructions in picking up stitches through both loops of a chain stitch selvedge.

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The basic heel and the ridgeline heel each used a different style for picking up the gusset stitches. In the basic heel, two loops were picked up from the chain stitch selvedge as illustrated at right. In the ridgeline heel, just the backs of the loops were picked up. Read more ... for stepwise, illustrated instructions in picking up stitches through both loops of a chain stitch selvedge.
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Having designed and written about the Ridgeline Turning Heel , a crisp, professional looking horizontal heel edge, I thought I'ld discuss a contrasting turning heel pattern. I call this softer, blended heel a basic turning heel. Although both turning heels are discussed in the context of a French heel, they can be used for other heel types as well. The basic heel, like the Ridgeline turning heel, is formed with short rows comprising paired decreases on either side of the heel center. Read more...
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The slip, purl, PSSO decrease slants to the right on the stocking stitch side of the fabric and is paired with the SSK (slip, slip, knit) decrease which slants to the left on the stocking stitch side. Using this pair of stitches in the Ridgeline Turning Heel creates a crisp, professional looking horizontal edge at the base of the turning heel.
Read more .... for stepwise instructions.
Related Posts: "Dad's Socks", SSK, Stitch Patterns , Turning Heel - SSK Appearance.
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A few days ago I wrote about the professional, polished ridgeline finish that can be achieved on a turning heel with the SSK stitch. Then I looked at a few of my sock books and patterns and noticed that the patterns didn't have a matching stitch for the opposite side of the sock. I found that odd and did a bit of research, including World War 2 vintage patterns, and didn't find a sock pattern with a matching stitch for the opposite side of the foot. One common pairing of decreases was the SSK with a P2tog. So I sat down and experimented until I found a closer match. Read more ...

There are many decreases that can be used for the turning heel. This horizontal line of demarcation created by the ssk on the knit row (right side) creates a very professional and polished appearance. Click on the thumbnail to view a larger image.
Related Posts:
Turning Heel - SSK Appearance

In an earlier article, Worn Heel Flap Replaced, I showed the before and after photos of a sock which had been repaired with a patch method. This article illustrates the steps involved for this patch repair. Click on any thumbnail to view a larger image.

Before After RepairI like wearing these socks with jeans since the colors work well together, but as you can see this heel was well worn, making it a good sample for illustrating the use of the darning egg. The photo on the right shows the sock after the heel flap and turning heel were repaired. Read more ...

Now that I've had a chance to wear the socks, I thought I'ld complete my review of the pattern and discuss what I liked and disliked. I did make minor changes to Wayne Pfeffer's two-yarn resoleable sock design, namely in the handling of the toes and the use of waste yarn to facilitate undoing the sole stitches in the future. I also made the socks 3" taller. Read more .... to find what I liked and disliked about this approach for a resoleable sock.    Click on a thumbnail to view a larger image.