Cat's Sweet Tomato Heel Socks - a Heel Tutorial

This heel, which gave birth to my new eBook, *Cat's Sweet Tomato Heel Socks*, emerged last winter after several days of sitting beside the wood stove with my mother while trying to fiddle my way towards a new short-row heel. I'd given up several times when almost unconsciously, I did a small thing—and just like that, the clean heel of my dreams existed. This small thing closes gaps without holes, wraps, or acrobatics. The heel is rhythmic to work and nearly perfectly smooth, like a tomato. Best of all, once the process is understood, a knitter needs no written instructions. For more information, visit CATBORDHI.COM
The yarn is Claudia's Handpaint 100% Merino 100 g/ 225 yds in Honey. For more info on the yarn: http://www.claudiaco.com/

Category:

Education

Tags:

• feet
• cat
• socks
• short-row
• custom
• bordhi
• fitted

[lindsepigen]

wow thank you for illustrating this! I guess this could work in cardigans also??

[catbordhi]

@lindsepigen This short row method can be used anywhere you like!

[prettynpinkprincess3]

I love you. Will this work with a toe down sock?

[catbordhi]

@prettynpinkprincess3 Yes, toe up or top down.

[aelievense]

Holy crap! This knitter's mind has just been blown! Good bye wraps and gaps!

[catbordhi]

@aelievense You sure do have a way with words...love it.

[ferriswheeljunkie]

Would this work with doing two at a time,do you think?

[marlibpretty]

wou I really like this heal..............what I wonder is how are you tensioning your yarn when you do the first purl row................looks like portugese style?

[jaemily1000]

I have always struggeled with short row toe up socks. I would always use a different method but never really like the way they looked. I have tried w and t and I just didn't get that either. I just watched both of your videos and I love you! hahahaha! I am so excited to try it and I am going to finsihe the socks I am making and start another so I can try this. You are fantastc and I love your stories!

[deenpac]

At what point (lengthwise) in your knitting should you divide into 1/3 and 2/3 (thereby starting the heel) if you are knitting from toe up?

[elaineflo01]

Okay, Cat, sometimes you're little mnemonics are just a little too much for me - but I just finished my 2nd tomato wedge on my sock - AND IT ROCKS!!! It is so cool - so fun to watch it happen AND WORK...I love it. You are really just too creative...but maybe a little less on the thanks Ma please....

[TeenYarnie]

Is it okay if I do only 2 wedges? Cuz I experimented and three wedges were a lil' baggy.

[itisitsits]

Love this, Cat! You are WONDERFUL!

[marytol]

Cat, you are a genius! Short rows were my least favourite technique in knitting, and never looked tidy, I always had problems picking up wraps. Now all is smooth and neat, and soooo easy!! Thanks for transforming my sock knitting!!

[campingknitter]

wow - I just saw a reference to this heel and checked it out. Ingenious!! I actually like the look much more than the traditional short row heel with those wraps and picking up those wraps. I can't wait to try it :)

[WoolMoon]

I bow to you Cat Bordhi. You are the Master of the Knitting Universe. I am off to start a pair of socks. You have ignited a fire.

JoHanna