SO Many Options!! | Sock Heel Comparison

[@zeith2000]

To the non-knitter, this video may look like a casual video on different styles of socks. However anyone who has knit a sock before can see the amount of preparation, expertise, and care you put into this video. This was fantastically made from beginning to end. Concise, well explained, clear examples provided, and no background music there to distract from the wisdom you're sharing. Definitely subscribing! :)

[@HeatherStorta]

Thank you so much!! That means a lot to me, happy to have you here!

[@kevinorr6880]

Wow. Even two years after you made this video it is quite a resource. What a great heel study! I have so very much to learn! I will need to conduct a heel study of my own to further understand these in application.

[@HeatherStorta]

I'm glad you liked it!!

[@mariecouture7591]

This is a real anciclopedia of heels. Wow! What a discovery! Thanks for your work, so well explained.

[@HeatherStorta]

Glad you liked it!

[@EdenYell]

I feel like this was a good colour choice for the examples. Variegated enough to show stitching without being a design. Light enough to see detail.

[@jennifercogzell748]

I was taught to knit when i was at school and I hated it but it but so glad i was made to learn. Lately i have been knitting socks and trying out the different heels so i was thrilled to come across your video. Thank you so much. One of the joys in knitting is no matter how long you have been doing it there is always something new to learn.

[@HeatherStorta]

You're very welcome! I'm glad it's helpful!

[@elkepaull-keller9039]

I like the tidy result of the short row heel. Thank you for this comparison, I found it very helpful.

[@FaerieDust]

Great overview, I'm definitely saving this! I just knit my first pair of socks and now I want to learn everything about them - I've got a ton of random single skeins of yarn that I need to use up, so I plan to knit socks using at least one new technique for each pair. I'll be taking notes from this video for my list!

[@HeatherStorta]

Socks are great for using up random single skeins! That sounds like a great approach - let me know how it goes!!

[@feabicyoplung]

Thank you for taking the time to do this, very helpful!

[@HeatherStorta]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gillianbc]

Thank you so much for taking the time to knit all those samples and analyse the differences. A fantastic reference for us all.

[@HeatherStorta]

You are so welcome!

[@soul00theeundead]

Oh... I am happy. Finally someone made a video about different heels commonly used. I always wondered what they look like and how they might be worked. I tried looking at books online but I just don't know which books compare heels and give different choices to choose from. I am glad I found your video because I have not knitted socks in a long time and wanted to see what I might like.

[@HeatherStorta]

Glad I could help!

[@Whistlewalk]

Wow! Didn't know there are so many options. Thank you.

[@HeatherStorta]

You’re welcome 😊

[@debbiemanjourides4270]

Thank you for showing a variety of heels in one video! Wish I had seen this BEFORE watching a ton of videos on different heels.

[@HeatherStorta]

Lol, you're very welcome!

[@orangeis850]

고맙습니다. 뜨게질 초보라 색상이 변하는 실로 뒤꿈치를 뜨는 방법을 찾고 있었는데 이렇게 자세하고 친절한 영상이 있는 줄 몰랐네요. 최고입니다. 👍

[@HeatherStorta]

You're welcome! I hope you find it helpful!

[@thingone01]

What an outstanding overview of sock heels. You have swatched them all so well, excellent stitch definition. Thank you for all the work🏆🙌🏻

[@HeatherStorta]

You are so welcome!

[@fernandatralala]

Thank you! My favorite is the short row method using wrap and turn. A hole always remain, but I pull the yarn and distribute it among the stiches until it gets perfectly set.

[@HeatherStorta]

Glad you liked it! Yes, wrap and turn is one of my favorites for short row heels!

[@RosieKuhnPhD]

Thank you. Its so much more to sock knitting then I imagined. I find it fascinating. I love your descriptions. They really help!

[@HeatherStorta]

You are so welcome!

[@seiryumiko]

Thank you! I've only seen a few heels used and seeing the gambit really helped my piece together the structure of the heel and see my options :) I love that there's so much variety possible

[@HeatherStorta]

You're so welcome! And I didn't even show *all* the options out there! So much variety!

[@rachel8422]

This overview was so helpful. I am trying to decide what heel to do for my first pair of socks and actually sitting through hour long tutorials just to learn what the heel looks like is not the more efficient method. Thanks for the video!

[@HeatherStorta]

Glad it was helpful!

[@annalitchfield9836]

Very interesting, thank you!

[@HeatherStorta]

My pleasure!

[@tammypell8009]

Very good information - nice to see all the various heels that can be knitted. It's fun that there are so many ways to construct socks. Thank you for sharing!

[@HeatherStorta]

You are so welcome!

[@depresso3000]

This video is amazing ! Thank you for this incredible work, I learned so many things !

[@HeatherStorta]

Glad it was helpful!

[@amelia13131]

This was so informative! I love learning about the functionality of different ways of knitting

[@HeatherStorta]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kwill898]

Great video for those that enjoy sock knitting and want to try different heels! Thanks- educational!

[@HeatherStorta]

You are so welcome!

[@amelialeon6732]

Wow! Amazing video. Thank you!

[@HeatherStorta]

Glad you liked it!

[@TheSuzberry]

This is Intense and very concise. I’ll be putting it n my sock knitting playlist for future reference.

[@HeatherStorta]

I'm glad you liked it!! Stay tuned in September for some individual heel videos along with tutorial patterns to try them out!

[@happygirl2901]

Really nice comparison video!

[@HeatherStorta]

Glad you liked it!

[@MadiDara]

Wow! I only knew about 2 of them until now. I enjoyed this ❤

[@HeatherStorta]

Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@elliota1487]

i’m *just* starting to learn sock knitting, and this video helped ease so much of my overwhelm/confusion with all the different heels i see people talking about!! thanks so much for your thorough explanations-i feel like i learned a lot!

[@HeatherStorta]

Thank you for being here-- I'm so glad this was helpful!

[@rosepaul9681]

Excellent description of various heels. I've used a few that you showed. When I make an afterthought heel, I give myself extra depth by knitting 6 rounds plain on the live stitches before I start decreasing.

[@HeatherStorta]

Great tip! I've done that before too and it can help!

[@geririckard167]

Very interesting! Thanks for the comparisons!

[@HeatherStorta]

You're welcome!!

great display of heels, I will go check out the cast on, I have not read it yet since it came out. thank you

[@teutashestani2513]

you are very professional. beautiful video. many thanks for your work

[@HeatherStorta]

Aw, thank you for the compliments! Glad to have you here!

[@knittingthestash]

really helpful to see these all together! Thanks

[@HeatherStorta]

I'm glad it was helpful!

[@Pluviophile218]

I just recently learned about the twin stitcb shadow wrap for working short rows. It seems pretty easy and can be used toe-up or cuff down. Your video is very informative. Thanks you!

[@HeatherStorta]

You're welcome!! Yes, the shadow wrap is a really great short row option!

[@wmhfv992]

What a great video! Thank you so much! I'm on a mission to try every sock construction out there. So far, the most comfortable method I've tried is twin stitch/shadow stitch, but I'm a big fan of fleegle heels when I'm trying to be quick. :)

[@HeatherStorta]

You're welcome! I love the twin stitch/shadow stitch method too!

[@yvonneschimmel453]

Thank you for this video. I am feeling so down lately cause my arthritis is preventing me from holding as I knit the socks. Your video took my mind off my shortcomings

[@HeatherStorta]

I am so sorry you've been feeling down and that arthritis is interfering! I'm glad to have helped to take your mind off of it - I hope things improve and you can get back to knitting soon!!

[@yvonneschimmel453]

@@HeatherStorta i hope so too but the deformity of my fingers and the pain doesn’t help

[@adrienneschmidt2053]

Yes, this was indeed a helpful video. I hadn’t heard of the sweet tomato heel.

[@HeatherStorta]

Let me know what you think of it if you give it a try!

[@Kato_Rin]

Great video, I have a copy of Weldon's Practical Stocking Knitter and I've always wondered what the differences were of the various heels since you can't really tell from the simple illustrations alone. Thanks!

[@HeatherStorta]

So glad it was helpful!!

[@annegraheck5713]

Just WOW. Totally helpful.

[@HeatherStorta]

I'm so glad!!

[@jeaninegunn4118]

Thank you so much for showing us this many heels!! I'll try a few over the next bunch of socks I knit.

[@HeatherStorta]

You're welcome!

[@desireeyarber2808]

Super samples and descriptions! So much truly helpful information. Thank you for making this video👏 A sock heel party 🥳

[@HeatherStorta]

You are so welcome!

[@goswamigeeta]

A great video. Thank you.

[@HeatherStorta]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MerryweatherKnitting]

Thank you so much for this incredible resource!! I can't wait to experiment with new ones!

[@HeatherStorta]

You're so welcome!

[@kimberlywatson8931]

Thank you so much!! Which of these would you say is better for a thin long skinny foot?? Just as a recommendation?

[@HeatherStorta]

I think I'd maybe recommend the half-handkerchief heel with the cuff-down heel flap - it makes for a narrow heel pocket that might fit better.

[@leannastoufer6333]

This is so very helpful!

[@HeatherStorta]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nanettekroupa1371]

Fantastic! Thank you!

[@HeatherStorta]

You're very welcome!

[@mainstreet1730]

I used Cat’s sweet tomato heel for Christmas stockings. Very smooth finished heel ! 😊

[@HeatherStorta]

Ohh, nice!!

[@michellelindgren8419]

Hi Heather. This was really interesting and I have not heard of adding the short rows to the afterthought heel but I’m going to try it.

[@HeatherStorta]

Wonderful! Let me know how you like it if you try it out!

[@sarawofford]

Love your video! Do you find that trying on this sample heels helps you get a sense of what heel is best for your foot? I'm sure it's probably not as informative as walking around in a full sock, but I'm wondering if someone who is searching for the best heel for their foot could try making these little samples and get some guidance.

[@HeatherStorta]

Yes, I think they would be helpful! You could at least see how it fits your heel and get a better idea if it will work for you.

[@rachelcunningham2498]

really cool video, thank you

[@HeatherStorta]

Glad you liked it!

[@crystalwarelk]

Fantastic overview with some great tips!

[@HeatherStorta]

Glad it was helpful!

[@hanavesela5884]

Hi, thanks for this video. I have a question regarding historical 16th century tudor heel that is seen in this video: Knitting a 16th Century Stocking // Casual Friday S6E03 by Roxanne Richardson. Which one of those heels do you think is the most similar? I´v already knitted 4 stockings to try to figure it out but it doesn´t look right on any of them. Thanks

[@HeatherStorta]

I'm not sure -- it doesn't really look like any of my examples here in this video. It looks like it's just a garter stitch short row wedge acting as the heel, relying on the large number of stitches around the ankle being brought down closer to the ground/further down the leg to the foot. The heel turn itself is acting as the heel.

[@zt1469]

Thank you so much for sharing this video!!! I am new to knitting and this is exactly what I've been look for!

[@HeatherStorta]

You're very welcome! Glad it was helpful!

[@maud2rolland348]

Thank you for all of this ..i would like to make heel with a contrasting colors on a toe up socks with gusset is it possible ? Thank you very much

[@HeatherStorta]

Yes, if you did a toe-up heel flap type, and after all gusset increases switch to your contrast color for the heel turn and the heel flap part. (Or just for the heel flap, that's another option - the color will be only at the back of the heel in that case.) Then before working in the round again switch back to your main color!

[@Elida-t2b]

Which one is your favourite? Excellent video

[@HeatherStorta]

I like the heel flap with half-handkerchief turn the best, but I end up using an afterthought heel the most often, since I knit so many self-striping socks!

[@Elida-t2b]

@@HeatherStorta thank you for answering, love your videos

[@Elida-t2b]

The mosaic vs slip stitch, I’m really thinking about trying it out it looks so interesting

[@chelsearosado2773]

Do you gave a tutorial/recommended video for placing gusset stiches on the bottom of the heel?

[@HeatherStorta]

I don't have one yet, and am having trouble finding something to point you to -- although I did find this blog post that might help: allkindsofknitting.wordpress.com/tag/heel-gussets-on-sole/ You basically move the stitch markers marking your gusset decreases from their typical "top of heel flap" spots to the bottom of the heel flap on either side, and work the same gusset decreases you normally would, but with the decreases in that lower spot. The trickiest bit is making sure you have enough stitches to work all the decrease you need without running out of stitches. I have also seen a "double gusset" worked, where you do a set of those, then start again from a bit further up the heel flap and do a second set. (Or do the first set from farther up, and then the second set from closer to the center of the heel.) Hopefully that makes sense!

[@heatherdunnik968]

Thank you for this video. Can you make a reinforced heel pattern to an afterthought heel, i.e. slip stitch, etc. so the heels last longer?

[@HeatherStorta]

Hi! Good question! Yes, you definitely could do that!

[@CraftyTash]

I have just started sock knitting and found this lesson really helpful. What type of heel would you recommend for someone who wears out their socks at the exact same point. I have thrown out numerous pairs of sock brought socks where my husband wears a hole at the point where the decreases meet the increases on German short row heel. I was thinking perhaps an after thought heel combined with decreases like you do for a sock. Would love to know your thoughts?

[@HeatherStorta]

You can get reinforcing thread (it's a nylon/wool blend typically, in a thinner weight than sock yarn) and hold it together with your working thread as you work your heel -- this can be really helpful for heels that wear out often -- it tends to thin instead of going straight to a hole, and can make it easier to darn and repair. Afterhthought heels, in a different color yarn for ease of seeing those stitches, would work, and then you can remove the whole heel and knit a new one when the heel wears out!

[@CraftyTash]

@@HeatherStorta thank you very much, that's very helpful.

[@jlausch]

Very interesting!

[@luna.knit-Jenni]

This video is awesome! Is there a book you would recommend that discusses all the different heels? Not after pattern books

[@HeatherStorta]

I'm glad you liked it!! I'm not sure if there's a book that discusses *all*, or most, of these, but the books by Nancy Bush: "Folk Socks" and "Knitting Vintage Socks," discuss many of the early form of sock heels, as well as our most common modern heel-flap heel shapes.

[@atrinka1]

great video! would you explain in more detail how to add those mini gussets? Thanks! You have a new subscriber 😁

[@HeatherStorta]

Welcome! Glad to have you here!! Great idea - I'll add mini-gussets in more detail to my video queue! In the meantime, there is a tiny bit more info in the accompanying 'Cast On' article (Spring 2021 issue), and here is a video from Roxanne Richardson on adding a gusset to short row heels: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3i6c2CtfKmaatU

[@atrinka1]

@@HeatherStorta thanks! 😊

[@andreamiller6200]

Just discovered this and it is a wealth of information (subscribed!). It leads me to ask a question about which of these sock heels disrupts the patterning least in yarn that is stripey or has some short repeats. I know if I do an afterthought heel, say, then the patterning stays least disrupted across the instep, and if I do my usual heel flap and (side) gusset, that can be a patterning disruptor. Do you have any advice about this. whether there are other heel alternatives to just these two that involve less patterning disruption?

[@HeatherStorta]

The ones that result in the least pattern disruption are the afterthought heel and a short row heel. The sweet tomato heel might work ok as well. Anything that leaves the stitch count alone (around the foot and the leg before and after the heel) -- and that allows the heel to be worked independent from the instep stitches until the heel is completely done - will be the least disruptive. The ones that have a gusset to provide more room in the heel apex diameter will disrupt the patterning the most (heel flap with gusset being the one that produces the most disruption). I always use an afterthought heel with my self-striping sock yarns, myself!

[@andreamiller6200]

@@HeatherStorta Excellent information! I am going to experiment with this next and I so appreciate it.

[@erinbosse]

1:52 I am just curious about the pattern on the heel flap for the handkerchief heel. It looks almost like a really subtle honeycomb. I have done the slip stitch flap like the round heel that shared the frame but I have never seen the subtle lattice style heel flap. Is it just a pattern or is it a style of heel flap?

[@HeatherStorta]

Great question! That is called an "eye of partridge" heel stitch, and it's a variation of the ribbed-looking heel stitch. It's a 4 row repeat instead of a 2 row repeat and on row 3 you just switch the place of the slipped stitch. That creates that (still cushy, but less constricted) checkerboard look with the slipped stitches. I have a video showing you these two fabrics specifically here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZTWiHiBrtKjq8U

[@galeem713]

Great info. I love Cat’s sweet tomato heel. It’s on all my socks.

[@HeatherStorta]

It's a really neat heel method!

[@peggyisme]

do you know where I can find the directions for the heel at 5:16 that is toe up? Please and thank you.

[@HeatherStorta]

You can do a toe-up heel flap heel type, but place your increases at the bottom of the heel instead of on either side. Find any pattern with a toe-up heel flap design, and move the increases to the center bottom of the heel instead!

[@barbismithfarmer1656]

Brilliant, thank you

[@HeatherStorta]

You're very welcome!

[@rhondamorse9786]

Would you please give the name of each variation of heel and where we can find patterns on how to do them?

[@HeatherStorta]

The names are all listed in the description box above. If you do a Ravelry or Google search by the variation name you likely will be able to find patterns that include those heels. Note that some of the early-form heels are not commonly seen anymore - you'd likely have to go to vintage patterns to find those.

[@maryholbrook4919]

So interesting thank you xxx

[@HeatherStorta]

You're very welcome!

[@Rose-xc7wz]

I saw a flap across the bottom of the heel. I have specific areas of my socks that wear out faster than others that are not the back of the heel. Would this be an option to create a thicker fabric in those 'at risk' areas customized for my wearing patterns?

[@HeatherStorta]

Hi! You for sure could create thicker fabric in those spots -- either as an extra flap of fabric, or you could add in reinforcing thread (carry it with the working yarn) in just the spots that need reinforcing. Using a stitch pattern like heel stitch or eye of partridge can help to add thickness in those spots too.

[@likeavirshin]

I would like to know which one do you consider to be more comfortable in terms of bumps and seems. Which is the smoothest I guess? I'm VERY sensitive and stepping on a seam all day will annoy the heck out of me 😂

[@HeatherStorta]

I think your best bet for no seams or bumps would be something like a short row heel, or an afterthought heel with a kitchener finish. The fleegle heel and the sweet tomato heel as well would have minimal bumps.

[@BlessedBaubles]

I’d love to know how to make the entire sock with the heel you show on toe up heel with the gusset increased first. I love that idea! Do you have a pattern or instruction for that? I’m new at this and all I can do is after thought. I’d like to keep knitting rather than going back on the after thought. Thanks.

[@HeatherStorta]

My Blue Lily knee high socks use this type of toe-up heel: www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/blue-lily-2 As do my Pavo Socks:www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pavo-socks And here is a post on how these work: www.moderndailyknitting.com/2019/10/21/flap-gusset-heel-recipe-toe-up-socks/ I hope these help!! I'll do a detailed video soon on this type of heel.

[@mytrueserenity5666]

@@HeatherStorta A video would be wonderful. Thank you for all the explanations. Such amazing and clear explanations! :-)

[@deecook3191]

That yarn looks so soft and comfortable. Do you remember what it was?

[@HeatherStorta]

I am not 100% sure, but I think it was Miss Babs Tarte yarn.

[@sherylbaker5826]

Could you direct me to instructions on how to put gusset decreases at the bottom instead of the top? I am so curious to try this idea.

[@HeatherStorta]

I'm having trouble finding KZbin videos showing this method of doing a gusset -- but here's a sock pattern that uses a version of this gusset! Two sets of gusset decreases are used on the bottom of the foot. (Ravelry link: www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/basic-sock-with-a-double-gusset-heel) I hope this helps!!

[@beepbopboop3221]

Which heel makes a longer diagonal? I can knit to fit my foot ir keg and they don't turn to put on. I think I have a longer diagonal even though I have a shorter foot.

[@HeatherStorta]

A heel flap heel tends to make the longest diagonal -- you could try working the heel flap longer than typical, this will deepen the heel height and increase the gusset area, making that diagonal longer, too. Or work less rapid decreases in the gusset to keep the gusset as wide as possible for longer. It might take some trial and error to get a shape that works best with your foot.

[@candirinehart]

I recently tried a shadow wrapped heel but dropped one of the twins as i was making the triplet. I caught it but I don't know how to twist it back together. Any suggestions where I can get help?

[@HeatherStorta]

Did it drop out of the stitch it was made out of? You can ladder it up like any dropped stitch, but you might have to drop the other loops so that you can ladder them all back up out of the base stitch in the right order.

[@candirinehart]

@@HeatherStorta it only fell out of the twin stitch. It didn't ladder down.

[@hairstoyou7248]

would love to learn the fleegle heel

[@HeatherStorta]

Stay tuned in September! I'll have a video on the Fleegle heel with a tutorial pattern to go along with it!

[@erinmartz7116]

Are heels interchangeable?! Meaning can i use a short row heel in place of a heel flap and gusset or vice versa?!

[@HeatherStorta]

Possibly -- with a strong caveat. Some are easier substituted than others if you are changing an existing pattern. For example - a heel flap and gusset instead of a short row heel might mess with the patterning on the leg or foot -- and you would need to start the heel sooner on the leg to allow for the added depth that a heel flap and gusset takes up compared to a short row heel. Also, the heel flap and gusset includes full rounds in the gusset, where a short row heel has no full round (usually) within the heel structure. So self striping yarns will change their striping over the gusset, where in a short row heel they are precisely maintained on either side of the heel. You have to consider things like that when making a substitution. But, the various heel flap and gusset constructions are certainly interchangeable within that group quite easily.

[@heelakay]

how cool! thanx

[@HeatherStorta]

Glad you liked it!

[@DemetriaUy]

Thank you, Heather, so much information to learn. I just have one little question: why would Kitchener make the bottom of the first 2 heels uncomfortable? Doesn’t grafting just add a row of knitting, not a ridge?

[@HeatherStorta]

It's not the Kitchener spot that leaves a ridge, but the picked up stitches all along the heel flap and around the bottom of the heel that leaves a ridge and could be uncomfortable.

[@DemetriaUy]

@@HeatherStorta Thank you. I misunderstood.

[@etoeneudorf]

I can’t seem to find this answer by googling it, so I thought I’d ask here! What kind of foot shape would benefit most from the heel with gusset decreases placed at the bottom of the heel flap? I’m curious if this could help me get a better sock fit! Thank you for this video!

[@HeatherStorta]

I think if you have a really high instep/arch, or a "pointy" heel, that placing them at the bottom of the gusset will help to hug the heel much better. I find that the sock sole curves up and hugs my heel much better with gussets made this way! I don't think I have a particularly high arch, but I still find it's a bit more form-fitting in that area.

[@etoeneudorf]

@@HeatherStorta intriguing! I’m going to have to try that heel! Makes me admire all the tiny tweaks that make point shoes fit to perfection 😍

[@lorenzadesimoni6198]

nuova iscritta! 🙋☕🛋️🧶📝🥂🍾

[@wipstitch9409]

Do you have a pattern for the Round Heel variation shown at 1:37?

[@HeatherStorta]

The round heel is what is usually seen in modern sock patterns that use a heel flap. You will work 2 or 3 sts past the center of the heel flap and then work the decreases (on RS rows it will be knit x sts, ssk, k1, turn - and on WS rows it will be purl x sts, p2tog, p1 turn.) On subsequent rows you will work to one stitch before the gap, then work the decrease and one more stitch and turn. The only difference between the round heel and the wedge heel is that the wedge heel places the first decrease immediately after the center of the heel flap, instead of working 2 or 3 stitches before working that first decrease. I hope this made sense!!

[@twistknit1]

Can the sweet tomato heel be worked as an afterthought heel?

[@HeatherStorta]

No, not really. Since you have to work rounds all the way around the circumference in between each wedge, that's not possible with the way the afterthought heel works. You *could* do a "plain" short row heel though, by working on only half the live stitches and then grafting the heel closed to the other half when done. But any heel method that adds in full rounds in between working back and forth won't work with an afterthought heel.

[@twistknit1]

@@HeatherStorta thanks! I love afterthought heels and I am looking for different heel options just for fun.

[@luciamassena5022]

São lindos esses calcanhares. Nos ensine, por favor.

[@HeatherStorta]

It's in my queue to do individual videos on each one!

[@leahkane5774]

Great video. Thank you

[@HeatherStorta]

Glad you liked it!