Toe-Up Afterthought Heel Socks
Knit a plain tube from the toe, with a line of waste yarn where the heel goes. Perfect for self-striping yarn and for using every last bit.
- Yarn
- Fingering (1) self-striping sock yarn.
- Needles
- US 1 (2.25 mm) long circular (magic loop) or DPNs
- Sizes
- Any size from the sock chart. Example: men’s M, sock around 8 in (20 cm), foot 10.5 in (27 cm).
- Example gauge
- 32 sts and 44 rnds = 4 in (10 cm) in stockinette
- Yarn needed
- About 470 yd (430 m) fingering for men’s M. Weigh the ball before and after sock 1 to see how much leg sock 2 can have.
- Stitch multiple
- 4
Do the math
The examples use the gauge above. Put your own swatch into the gauge calculator first, then use your numbers in each formula.
| Step | Formula | Example | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stitches | sock around × sts per in, rounded to a multiple of 4 | 8 × 8 = 64 sts | Cast-On Calculator |
| Toe cast-on | stitches ÷ 4 | 16 sts (8 on each needle) | By hand |
| Toe increase rounds | (stitches − toe cast-on) ÷ 4 | 48 ÷ 4 = 12 | By hand |
| Waste-yarn row at | foot length − 2 in, measured from the toe | 10.5 − 2 = 8.5 in | Size Charts |
Materials
- Fingering (1) yarn (see yarn needed)
- US 1 (2.25 mm) long circular (magic loop) or DPNs
- Smooth waste yarn
- Tapestry needle
Gauge swatch
Swatch in the round.
Instructions
Toe
Using Judy’s Magic Cast-On, cast on the toe count (example: 8 sts on each needle). Knit 1 rnd.
Inc rnd: On each needle: k1, M1L, knit to last st, M1R, k1. 4 sts increased.
Next rnd: Knit.
Repeat these 2 rnds until you have the full count (example: 64).
Foot
Knit until the sock measures the waste-yarn figure from the toe tip.
Heel placeholder
Knit across the sole half with waste yarn. Slip those sts back and knit them again with the working yarn.
Leg
Knit 5 in (13 cm) or as long as your yarn allows, then work 1.5 in of *k2, p2* rib. Bind off with a stretchy bind-off (Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy works well).
Heel
Carefully pick out the waste yarn, putting the live sts on two needles: half above, half below (example: 32 + 32, plus 1 extra at each corner, 66 sts).
Join the yarn. On the first rnd, k2tog the extra corner sts away (back to 64).
Work exactly like the toe in reverse: dec rnd (k1, ssk, knit to last 3, k2tog, k1 on each needle) every other rnd until half remain, then every rnd until a quarter remain.
Finishing
- Graft the heel with Kitchener stitch.
- Close any corner holes with the tail. Weave in ends.
Designer’s notes
- Afterthought heels are easy to replace when they wear out: snip, unravel and knit a new one.
- With self-striping yarn, start both socks at the same point in the colour sequence for a matching pair.
Counter set-up
Counter 1: toe increase rounds. Counter 2: heel decrease rounds.
Open the row & stitch counter for several counters, or use the quick one below.
Tools for this pattern
- Size ChartsLook up the finished measurements for the size you are making.
- Gauge CalculatorEnter your swatch counts to get stitches and rows per 4 in (10 cm).
- Cast-On CalculatorEnter your width and gauge; it rounds to the stitch multiple for you.
- Yarn Quantity CalculatorPick the project, size and yarn weight to get total yardage and skeins to buy.
- Row & Stitch CounterSet up the counters listed below; the screen stays awake while you work.