Short Row Heel Demo - Lifestyle Toe Up Socks, No wraps!

[DanniJHughes]

I'm new to sock knitting and couldn't find just a plain stockinette stitch sock, so compiled the different techniques to make my sock. The first heel had holes, which you addressed. However, it seemed to pull at the point where I started knitting in the round again. So in looking at other patterns, I surmised that I had forgotten the gusset. Though it doesn't appear you put in a gusset.

So, my question, is this technique gusset free?

Thanks so much for this video.

[tamarque1]

I liked this video very much as it was visually pretty clear. However, like many others I am struggling with the holes/loose stitches on the increase half of the heel. I have frogged these sock heels at least 3-4 times with no better results. There must be some trick that so many of us are missing. Knitting tighter doesn't make any difference. It has to do with how stitches are picked up I think but cannot figure it out.

[TheVampiressLisa]

OMG, THANK YOU!!! I suffered a concussion a few days ago, and the doctor told me to do activities that were calming to me. I have been knitting for about 4 years, and have been wanting to learn how to knit socks for a while. I saw other methods to knit heels, and they just gave me a headache! This method is so simple, and all I have to do is count! can sit back, knit, and allow my brain to heal. Thanks so much again! My Ravelry sn is VampiressLisa. I will check out your site, too!

[funkyfg]

thanks for making and posting this video - What a huge help!!

[janeta67]

You are a wonderful teacher. I wish I could be in your class. What a beautiful speaking voice too, Makes a big difference. You make it very clear but I will have to watch it a couple of times. Thankyou so much. Janet

[ClaireAlthea]

Hi, I just did a sample heel and I ended up having loose stitches at the diagonal area. Maybe I didn't pick up stitches correctly when I K2tog and then M1. I have gaps that show. How can I avoid that because otherwise, I really like this heel method. Also, how do I determine the correct distance from the toe before I start this heel. Thanks for your help.

[charisacairn]

@ClaireAlthea Please see the new videos I created showing the failproof way to track your active and held stitches and ensure that you will not have any gaps. I've knit the heel with this method dozens of time, it always works. I can't post the link, so see my PULSH page at pulsh.blogspot.com and choose the Lifestyle Videos How To: in the right column. On that page see the link to the updated version using stitch markers.

[tamarque1]

@charisacairn Hi have been struggling to find a heel that works easily. Though thus one would be the one but, like several others, am finding that the add back stitches keep being horribly loose, look sloppy and would make a weak structure. I have rewatched the video, done a practice heel at least 5 time with the same result. I cannot see what to do differently. So frustrating, but it seems to be common problem. Would sure love to figure it out.

[charisacairn]

@ClaireAlthea Please see the new examples (videos) that use stitch markers. That should help.

[Cptmick1]

@ClaireAlthea I am just over the moon I can finally knit socks!!!!

[amberschiwi]

@ClaireAlthea

thanks lots for this video and the other two instructional ones. Although I love heels like PGR's dreamsock I had the problem of adding fortifying yarn to stop the heels from chafing. It is nearly impossible due to the very tight stitches after turning. With your method I now have a brilliant solution. I also prefer to knit through the back loops when adding the stitches - plus I do a [k2tbl (p2tbl), M1] after finishing the heel to add to the sock front to avoid a gap there.

[reenabrooks]

oh thank you for this video! i was having such problems and holes...and i am trying to find the best way to teach this to others.

thanks

[GayzeStarr]

I'm relatively new to knitting and knitting socks, and have found I much prefer knitting toe-up socks ... except for those blasted wraps! I can't see well enough to pick them up properly. LOL I look forward to trying this method of turning a short-row heel, thank you so much!

[greeneggsandkam]

I have question- when you are making one on the purl side, you actually just knit. Is there anything as purl make one? And when you are purling trying to make one, do you purl into the back loop like you are knitting into the back loop on the right side to make a twist according to your instruction on video?

[mrsbmarin]

Thanks. Very easy to understand video.

[lgpars]

I love this heel but am having trouble still with holes where the gussets would normally be. What am I doing wrong? Is anyone else having this problem? I'm also having problems on the knit side telling where the "hole" is after the last active stitch for some reason. I want so much to learn how to do this heel right as I love the technique and it is sooooo much easier.

[cisu78]

Thx sooo much, I finally get it <3

[Roseanneboone]

Thank you so much for this video, I have watched it many times trying to get this down and I am really grateful that your a wonderful teacher! I have watched so many videos that i've had trouble following but yours is co clear and concise that it really just made this so easy for me and i'm pretty much a beginner to socks and while I love them I was ready to give up due to the heels. So all I can say is a big THANKS YOU!

[shroygeeks]

I have a string of holes all the way up my heel. I think I'm doing something wrong on the M1 but I can't figure out what since I am twisting the stitch. Other than that, worked great!

[charisacairn]

Maybe you need to go down a needle size for tighter knitting? Hopefully you'll get that figured out soon - there should be no holes with this method. Good luck!

[lgpars]

Charisa, how do you know how many stitches to leave unworked in the middle before starting to add back in the sts.? I have 68 cast-on sts in my pattern so I have 34 on each circular.

[charisacairn]

Take a look at the free Lifestyle socks pattern that this goes with. It is usually 8-12 stitches, depending on the width of your heel. It is usually the number you have when you start your toe.

[lgpars]

Charisa, I am making a top down sock right now and at the point where I start the heel. Can I use these same instructions starting top down instead of toe up? Or do I have to change the instructions some way?

[charisacairn]

Yes, this method for the heel works top down or toe up.

[lgpars]

Charisa, are there no gussets to pick up or anything with this heel? So you can use this heel on any sock you are doing? This seems sooo much easier.

[lgpars]

Charisa, are there no gussets in doing this heel? No picking up stitches or anything? This seems sooo much easier than the way they do a regular heel with gussets.

[knitjunky]

One more annotation you might want to add somewhere: Each time you slip the first stitch, hold the yarn to the wrong side.

Absolutely wonderful video, BTW.

[melmom2]

I have tried every method on the internet and this one is by far the easiest and neatest! My frustration was growing until I used your video method and wow, I did it! This was the first toe up sock for me and I couldn't understand the instructions I was using, thus began my search. Thanks SO MUCH! I will use it for toe up and top down!

[tota121280]

omg this video safed my (sock) life :) thanks!

[strid8]

This is really helpful. Thank you.

[juzuggy]

Hi Charisa I would just like to say thanks for this vid i just love how easy you make this look. I need some advice though i keep getting a little hole when i get to the part to continue knitting on the round after the heel. please help a frustrated learner to socks :o) thanks for all the help Justine :o)

[charisacairn]

If you have a little hole on the round after all the stitches are back in work, you can eliminate it by knitting two stitches together at that point, then M1 new stitch to compensate for the stitch you just lost (if you need the extra stitch for your pattern.)

[simpleutopia]

Thankyou so much! I'm a total sock noob and have been trying to work out what a short-row heal is. Ingenious! Great vid, just the right pace, and annotations for more info - exactly what was needed.

[ajapapaya]

Could I use this method if I am knitting socks from the leg to the toe? Or will it only work knitting from the toe up?

[charisacairn]

This short row heel works either top down or toe up.

[raenaraena]

Holy poop, I think you've just made me the happiest sock noobie ever. <3

[sweetsmile1]

wow thanks!

[barbalt1]

I'm surprised by the way Charisa makes a new stitch on the purl rows: she lifts a bar from the row below and _knits_ into it. That seems OK on the knit rows, but wouldn't it be better on purl rows, to _purl_ into the bar? Otherwise, you get a purl bump on the right side, where it doesn't belong.

[charisacairn]

Good point -- are you able to view the annotations? I suggest that you purl into the bar rather than knit into it (on the annotation).

When I made the video I was not able to see the knitting, I was looking at it via the monitor and so as a result ended up knitting when I should have purled. (On the wrong side row.)

In addition, not only should you knit or purl) when M1 (dependent on R or W side) but also twist the stitch so it tightens up the space and ensure that there are NO holes.

[barbalt1]

You're right, it is mentioned in the annotations. I was watching this at work, not giving it my full attention. Let me just say that your video is excellent--I am always awed by people who can film themselves knitting and have it come out so well. I intend to give your method a try, the next time I knit a pair of socks. Thank you, Charisa!

[knitmaster3000]

I use this same method for my toes- when I am done, I just graft all the stitches together!

[charleymano]

WOW! I'm so excited about this! I'm new to socks (on my second pair now), and I truly love doing the heels. But I'm not so crazy about doing the gussets. This left me with my mouth hanging open. WOW! Thanks so much for the demo! I can't wait to try it!

[wmddn]

thank you im learning

[janemacksewing]

Where is your pattern for the toe up sock? I've only knitted cuff down.

[charisacairn]

Please see the info under subscription for the link to the free toe up instruction sheet/method/pattern (it's to the right of the video on the You Tube page.

[janemacksewing]

Thank you for your video. I had knit socks and used another method for the heel. This seems so much more simplier and I can't wait to try it. Thanks for sharing.

[plattitudeseeker]

I watch this video on every heel I turn. I can't seem to remember it all. It is a wonderful way to make a heel. I love this video.

[Halalsilks]

Bless you Charisa for filming this so great technique and Since i am new to sock knitting this is going into my playlist called All knitting Socks Techniques here on YT.

Thanks to Pricilla too! You have helped many of us NOT to give up on heels!!

gratefully, grace

[mzundercover]

WOW!!! I can't believe how simple this is! I've been agonizing and obsessing about getting my short-row heels to not have holes ... who knew it was so easy! Thanks for making this video, Charisa. Sock knitters everywhere thank you :-)

[whspottist2003]

This is fantastic!!! Thank you for posting this. I did not look forward to learning w&t for the short row toes on a toe up sock, so I adapted this using a provisional cast-on and it's great!

[bnmuzic]

thank you. i hope i can follow your instructions and learn this technique.

[tytbody]

this is awesome works great. Thank you and will be doing more of these. thank you for the explanations and good view and clear and just great.

[jazz2413]

This is the best demo i have seen,

i finally understand how to turn that damm heel!

Many thankss!!

:)

[Kyliewhitham]

Fantastic video. It is very clear and easy to follow with out any stupid stories about barn yard animals with reference to the circular needles. Also, I love the fact that you showed contrasting colors so we could see what you are talking about!

[nancydrum]

Thank you so much for this video, and technique. I just last night did a short row heel with the wraps, and yarn overs, and I just hated it - thought I would never do a toe up sock again. After watching this video, I realize there is an easier way to do this - and will be using this heel from now on.

[JBachman59]

Great Technique I am making my first pair of toe up socks and I was a little intimidated when it came to starting the heel. I can't wait to try this technique.

Thanks for sharing.

[fiddlewitch19]

excellent, clear, concise. thanks!

[debgiuffre]

I really appreciate your posting of this video. It works whether you do toe up or cuff down socks. I can't imagine that I'd ever do a regular heel flap again

[spinknit57]

The demo was wonderful something I will try. i would like to find out more about the pattern mentioned in the video. If you could let me know where I can get it. Thanks

[misconstrue]

Thank you! I found this through L&V's Daily Chum. It is absolutely ingenius and I really appreciated the careful and clear directions you gave as well.

[buddahangie]

I have never seen this technique before. Very interesting! I'm just now learning how to knit sock toe-up and I have to admit that I'm a little itmidated by the short rows. This technique might have just saved my knitting. Thank you so much for taking the time to make a nice (very informative) video!

[artistpw]

Hi:

Thank you so much for this excellent demo. Youtube rocks with these! :)

[malinda1269]

Yeah!!!! My mitre hole hating days are OVER!! On to knew socks!!

[phigmentor]

thankyouthankyouthankyouthanky­outhankyouthankyouthankyouthan­kyouthankyouthankyou!!!!

The pattern I have has the most complicated description for turning the heel. Yay! Thanks!

[Rekkanotara]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You have allowed the love of toe-up socks to come back to me =) I have been working on a pair of socks for my fiance and finished the first sock with the wrap method which still leaves an awful taste in my mouth. I finished the heel for the second sock using this method and it flew by so fast! This method is right up there with the ease of the type of heel method used for cuff-down socks.

[Roguerylla]

Charisa, thank you SO much for posting this video. I can't tell you how much the short row heel and wraps had me all confused. This is so much easier:)