How to knit short-row sock heels

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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.

The theory

Sarah Winsper

Sarahis a craft writer with more than 15 years’ experience in the publishing industry, starting as author of The Good Nutrition Guide, and working on magazines including 3D World, The Simple Things and Simply Knitting. She’s also a knitting designer with a passion for making cosy accessories – you can check out her latest patterns on Ravelry.

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