MoreGreenWool: Short_Row_Heel

Knitting a Short Row Heel

Note: this is how I work a short row heel, it may be different from other instructions and I do not claim that this is the "right" way to do it!!

Numbers:
On half of your overall stitches (the back) you divide this number into three equal parts. with 60 total, you would have 30 for the back, you divide mentally into 10-10-10

If the number is not dividable into 3 parts, the larger number goes into the center: with for instance 68 total, half would be 34, the division would be 11-12-11

When I do not have a different color for the heel (as for instance the opal socks) but I do have a pattern on the front/instep that is NOT stockinette stitch, I do a few rows in plain stockinette stitch over the back half of the stitches before I start the heel. This makes the heel look better and it fits better. A few meaning, hmm, maybe 8 - 15 rows or so.

patterned sock with short row heel in Opal yarn Knitting the Reduction:
I always have the row end at the center back and I work with 5 needles. If you work with 4 needles have the back half of the stitches on two needles and the front half on one. With 5 needles you have an equal number of stitches on each needle, two for front two for back.
From the center back, the first needle that is up next will be called needle 1, the needle that you have to the right of that (the last one) is needle 4.
In stockinette, working back and forth for the heel, knit all stitches of needle 1.
Turn work over (wrong side facing).
Now you work a "wrapped stitch" for the first stitch of this row.

  • Wrapped Stitch: Put yarn over as for a purl, lift off this wrap and the first stitch (do not purl it) to the right needle.
    PULL this stitch to the back, the "purl" wrap of the previous row will somewhat slip over your needle or sit on top of it, depending on how tightly you are knitting. It is important to do this pull to the back step so that no holes will show at the end.
    Now you have a somewhat double stitch there, hopefully tight.
Continue over the rest of the stitches of needle 1 in purl stitches and purl all the way over all stitches of needle 4.
Turn work over (right side facing).
Work a wrapped stitch again.
Again, put your yarn over AS IF to work a PURL stitch and lift the first stitch of needle 4 off together with the wrap, pull them to the back again! Keep this tight and continue knitting across the stitches of needle 4.
Knit all stitches of needle 1 EXCEPT the last one that is double and wrapped.
Turn work over (wrong side facing).
Work a wrapped stitch as before and purl all the way over needles 1 and 4 UP TO the previously wrapped stitch at the end of needle 4.
Turn work over (right side facing).
Start this knitting row again with a wrapped stitch, pull it and continue on always until the end of the row where you encounter a wrapped stitch, this is where you turn over.

Reminder: always pull the wrapped stitches to the back, always yarn over as if for purling, always turn over at the end of the "row" where the last/first wrapped stitch occurs, a wrapped stitch is done always only at the beginning of the row.

OK, now you continue in this manner until you have your previously determined center stitches left, divided on two needles, in the center of the back half of the stitches (for instance 10, 5 unwrapped stitches on each needle). There is ONE MORE stitch to be wrapped at the beginning of the last right side row to the right of the center.
Do this one and, this is optional, now knit two rows across ALL stitches (the front stitches with your pattern if you have one) always knitting the wrap and its stitch as one. This relaxes the wrapped stitches and makes it easier to knit the following increases for the heel.
After those two rows, start again at the center back between needles 4 and 1.

Increases for the heel:
Knit across the half of the unwrapped stitches of needle 1 (for instance 5).
Turn work, wrong side facing.
Pick up the first stitch as before wrapped in purl fashion.
Purl across the remainder of the stitches of needle 1 and purl across all center stitches (5) of needle 4.
Turn work, right side facing.
Pick up 1st stitch of needle 4 in purl fashing and wrap it as before. Knit across all the remaining stitches of needle 4, knit across all stitches of needle 1 INCLUDING the wrapped stitch PLUS 1.
Turn work, wrong side facing.
WRAP the first stitch of needle 1 and purl across needle 1 and needle 4 center stitches, also purl the wrapped stitch on needle 4, plus purl one more stitch.
Turn work over, right side facing.
Again, continue to always wrap as above the first stitch after turning your work.
Then knit/purl across the row for the center back and knit/purl the last stitch of the row PLUS the previously wrapped one PLUS one stitch. In this manner continue until all stitches are done and you again have an equal amount of stitches on both needles. On your last row again, there will be one last wrapped stitch left on needle 4 with right side facing. On this row you will commence to knit across ALL your stitches (for instance 60) with pattern on foot if you have one etc.

Ok, hope this helps, let me know if you can do it or if there are any questions ;)
Sometimes the stitch at the very edge between heel and front gets pulled out of shape and makes a hole!
This usually disappears after the first wash. But Often I just stitch through those corner stitches while fastening off my reinforcement threads at the heel so that there is no hole there.

Maus
maus@pinkpig.com
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The fine print:
Please note that this writeup is copyright Etha Schuette 2003. You may distribute it freely and print off for your own use or your friends. You may NOT publish it elsewhere or sell the instructions in any format without first consulting the author.