Saturday, August 28, 2010

Sock Heels


As I mentioned in my last post, I’ve become obsessed with knitting toe-up socks with round heels—the kind that heel that is most commonly used for socks knitted from the top down. I’ve taught a class in toe-up socks with short-row heels for a few years, but some students have requested a more “normal” heel for these socks. To determine the method I like best, I’ve knitted a number of samples to experiment with the methods used by Chrissy Gardiner (Toe-Up! Patterns and Worksheets to Whip Your Sock Knitting into Shape), Wendy Johnson (Socks from the Toe Up), and Melissa Morgan-Oakes (Toe-Up Two-at-a-Time Socks). 


Finally, I think I’ve come up with my favorite variation. To test it out, I knitted one sock from the top down (shown on the bottom), then a mate from the toe up (shown on top). There are only subtle differences between the two—the most noticeable being that the “wedge” on the sides of the toe-up sock is narrower than that of the top-down sock. This is because I worked the increases one stitch in from the edge instead of two stitches in. I’m happy to report that when on my feet, I can’t tell the difference between the two.

I plan to write up instructions for the toe-up version for multiple sizes and gauges. If all goes well, the pattern will be available online this fall from Quince & Company. I'll let you know when!

8 comments:

JelliDonut said...

Very exciting! Looking forward to the pattern. I love all those little heel swatches. Any chance you'll teach this at a LYS in the Denver area?

Tanya said...

Yay! I am so glad that somebody was curious enough to do this. I always ask this question, but then when it comes right down to it I say..."Ah well, this is the way it's written in this pattern...I'll just go with it!"

Peggy said...

toe-up, with a 'real' heel is best for me, but I'm still searching for that perfect heel. I look forward to your version!

Jessie McKitrick said...

Sounds great! I've been thinking lately about doing a pair where one is toe-up and the other is top-down, and wondered how best to have a matching set of heels.

Nancy said...

This is way cool. I love knitting socks toe-up but a round heel is what fits my foot best; can't wait to try your pattern. :-)

Mona said...

I'm looking forward to trying the pattern with your version of a toe-up heel. I'm curious, though, why you modified the other variations you tried. It would be interesting to learn your opinion of them.

Unknown said...

Have you seen this website for the Toe-Up "Reverse Dutch Heel"? It's how I learned to knit toe-up socks.

http://www.socknitters.com/toe-up/lessonfour.htm

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