Happy Heels

About Happy Heels with Ann Budd

In this two-hour online workshop, Ann Budd will demonstrate three popular types of sock heels—the round heel, the short-row heel, and the afterthought heel. All three types are traditionally worked on half of the leg/foot stitches and can be interchanged. While the round heel is most easily fitted when worked from the top down, both the short-row and afterthought heels can be worked equally well from the top down or from the toe up, and both are great for adding spots of contrasting colors. A handout of the three techniques will be provided.

This Fiber Arts Seminar is offered as part of the 2021 Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival and is limited to 20 students.

Class Materials Needed

You will need worsted-weight yarn, a set of five size U.S. 7 (4.5 mm) double-pointed needles (or another way to work a small circumference in the round with the understanding that the instructions and demonstration will use double-pointed needles), about 24” (60 cm) of smooth waste yarn and a tapestry needle for the Afterthought Heel, and three homework swatches.

Homework

A total of three (3) homework swatches – “Round Heel” swatch, “Short-Row Heel” swatch, and “Afterthought Heel” swatch. Bring your swatches, needles, and yarn to class.
Round Heel Swatch Instructions
Cast on 28 stitches.
Arrange the stitches on 3 double-pointed needles so that there are 7 stitches on Needle 1 (for half of the back of leg, heel, and sole), 7 stitches on Needle 2 (for the other half of the back of leg, heel, and sole), and 14 stitches on Needle 3 (for the front of leg and instep). Place marker if desired and join for working rounds, being careful not to twist the stitches.
Work in k3, p1 ribbing for 4 rounds, then work the stitches on Needle 1 again, ending without working Needle 2.
The heel will be worked on the 14 stitches combined from Needle 1 and Needle 3. Leave stitches on needles (or place on stitch holders) and cut yarn, leaving a 10-yard (9 meter) tail to work the heel.
Short-Row Heel Swatch Instructions
Cast on 28 stitches.
Arrange the stitches on 3 double-pointed needles so that there are 7 stitches on Needle 1 (for half of the back of leg, heel, and sol), 7 stitches on Needle 2 (for the other half of the back of leg, heel, and sole), and 14 stitches on Needle 3 (for the front of leg and instep). Place marker if desired and join for working rounds, being careful not to twist the stitches.
Work in k3, p1 ribbing for 4 rounds. Knit all stitches for 4 rounds for the ankle, then knit the stitches on Needle 1 and Needle 2 again, ending without working Needle 3.
The heel will be worked on the 14 stitches combined from Needle 1 and Needle 3.
Leave stitches on needles (or place on stitch holders) and cut yarn, leaving a 4-yard (3.6 meter) tail to work the heel.
Afterthought Heel Swatch Instructions
Cast on 28 stitches.
Arrange the stitches on 3 double-pointed needles so that there are 7 stitches on Needle 1 (for half of the back of leg, heel, and sol), 7 stitches on Needle 2 (for the other half of the back of leg, heel, and sole), and 14 stitches on Needle 3 (for the front of leg and instep). Place marker if desired and join for working rounds, being careful not to twist the stitches.
Work in k3, p1 ribbing for 4 rounds. Knit all stitches for 6 rounds, then knit the stitches on Needle 1 and Needle 2 again, ending without working Needle 3.
The heel will be worked on the 14 stitches combined from Needle 1 and Needle 3.
Leave stitches on needles (or place on stitch holders) and cut yarn, leaving a 6-yard (5.5 meter) tail to work the heel.