Afterthoughts
Well I finally got the first of my Opal Southwestern socks in Color 3705 finished today. This sock is notable for being my first go at afterthought heels.
What is an afterthought heel? Well, basically it's a heel that you construct after you've completed the rest of the sock. To do it, you knit your sock as you normally would (it doesn't matter whether you do toe-up or cuff down -- for my sock I knit cuff-down). When you get to where you would normally make a heel, you just knit a row of scrap yarn and then continue knitting your tube -- either down to the toe or up to the cuff. It's a nice way to proceed if you're like me and don't really like to pick up stitches after making the heel flap.
It also has another distinct advantage -- it's very easy to take out and repair a worn out heel since it is separate from the main body of the sock.
So here's the process as I navigated it (with lots of help from the Socknitters Tips and Tricks and Dawn Brocco's discussion of the topic)
Removing the Waste Stitches
Before trimming away the waste yarn, I picked up the 32 stitches on either side of the waste yarn. I like to do my socks on 2 circs, so what you see is the cables for my circular needles on either side of my soon-to-be opening. You don't need to do two rows of stitches with the waste yarn, but I found it pretty handy here, since it meant that I could cut yarn at the opening rather than carefully unlacing it. Sort of like steeking my sock. (And yes, I do know that I picked up one set of stitches backward... but that's easy enough to correct later).
Ready to Get Started
Here's the opening all ready to go. Want to see how the sock fits on my foot? One thing that was a little different about knitting this sock was figuring out how long to knit the foot. Normally I measure from the back of the heel and knit to the length of my foot minus two inches. Without a heel to measure from, I used the same measurement.
Testing Before Heel Addition
It felt like I had a little room in the toe at this point, but overall my guestimating wasn't too bad.
Once you join the yarn, you knit across the first half of the stitches until you get to the area between the two needles. I picked up three stitches here because it felt right, then knit across the second needle and picked up three more stitches. I think how many stitches you pick up depends on the yarn you are using and your particular preference. Three turned out to work just fine for me.
After that, I proceeded to work the heel just as if I was decreasing for the toe -- K1, SSK, Knit to Last 3 stitches, K2Tog, K1, repeat for the stitches on the second circular needle. Then I knit one row straight without decreasing. I repeated these two row intervals until I had 13 stitches left on each needle. (There are other ways to do this -- I just opted for the simplest way this time -- I'll probably get more daring in the future).
Before I Kitchenered it all together, I figured I should try it on to see how the fit was.
Testing out the Afterthought Heel
I was surprised to find that this rate of decrease and shaping worked out pretty well for my heel (obviously the proof will be in the wearing, though). If you'd like to see how it lookw up close, click here. Pretty neat, eh?
All that was left for me to do then was to Kitchener the stitches together and give it one final try.
Afterthought Sock Heel Victory
With the heel completely sealed, it was easier for me to judge the length issue for the foot. Probably for the next one I need to subtract 2-1/4 to 2-1/2 inches from the total length instead of 2, but in the great scheme of things, it really doesn't make all that much difference for me.
So, I have to say that this experiment was a successful one. I'll probably do my second sock the same way -- once I convince myself that I want to cast back onto those itty-bitty size 0 needles.
Top of the Week to You!
Yes you do ! Want to cast on,that is !
Fab sock,and what a great pair they'll be.I like the 'toe heel'.It looks good and fits well.I like short row heels & toes too,but the heels can be a little snug.It's worth trying different options to see what suits your feet best.
As I said,great sock !
Good photos! I just did my first afterthought heel last week and will post about it this week. I was concerned about how to judge the length of the sock. I knit most of the length of the foot but then moved stitches to other needles (as holders) to work on the heel.
Nice sock! Looks spiffy!
Terrific photos and explanation for the afterthought heel; I haven't done one yet, but from making gloves and mittens with the same type of afterthought construction, it's been on my mind lately. Will do, next sock :-)
Thanks!
Hooray for new techniques!
And that big pile of yarn in the background is for . . . ?
thanks for the excellent instructions on the afterthought heel. you've made me a little more confident in trying it out.
Very interesting! I've been wondering about trying this sometime. maybe I will! I do think that it would be a practical method of construction since I always wear my socks out at the bottom of the heel. Yours look terrific!
Thank You so much for sharing. I will be starting my 1st heel like this shortly and will use your post as a guide!!
Thank you for sharing with us, Theresa. Now, I wouldn't mind making another pair of socks.
Fantastic socks! Do you think a first time sock maker could handle this method?
Superb explanation and pictures! I want to try this. Many find sock knitting to be "mindless" but for me I always seem to be trying to count/turn the heel when knitting in public with conversation and distractions. This would be much simpler. Just go, go, go and save knitting the heel when I am less distracted. I also like the idea of being able to reknit the heel for wear issues. Much easier to use smaller needle on heel or to reinforce with nylon with this pattern too. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing the pics on the socks. I have thought about trying these out, and the pics sure help to show how this works. Well done.
That is a beautiful sock. I love the yarn. I too have been looking at the bags of yarn in the background. Any hints???? I'm curious whether or not the afterthought heel is as comfortable in a shoe as a traditional heel. It looks like it could rub weird. Keep us posted.
Wow. I didn't expect to get so much response to this post. I'm glad that everyone enjoyed my pictures. Working this heel was a lot easier than I expected it to be.
To those of you interested in the bags in the background (I just can't sneak anything by!) that is the Calmer for my Audrey and the All Seasons Cotton that I will use for Rogue. Just out of site is some Muench Bergamo...
Lacy -- I think this would be a very easy heel for a first time sock knitter to try -- picking up stitches is the only hard part, and that isn't really that hard at all. And you can overcome guessing the foot length by simply knitting to about 3" from the length of your actual foot, putting the toe stitches on alternate needles or stitch holders (as Melissa mentions) and working the heel before you finish the toe.
Thanks -- I learn so much when you post about your projects.
Great afterthoughts!! I usually do my with a double decrease, which results in a single row of raised knit stitches at the heel, but I really like to look of the matches single decreases too. I like doing afheels with self-patterning yarn, but with more plain yarn, it's way too boring!
Love the socks and your instructions. Would a short row heel work too? I am planning my first foray into socks and after some good ideas!
Thanks,
Kat
Thanks for the pix - gave me the nudge I needed to try an afterthought. One variation: three needle bind off, instead of grafting (for those of us who couldn't locate the tapestry needle before heading off to work!).