“True” Afterthought Heel

The afterthought heel method enables one to work the heel after the sock is completed. Contrary to the “forethought” afterthought heel, where a piece of waste yarn is knitted into the sock where the heel is to be placed, and later unpicked to knit the heel, the “true” afterthought heel method doesn’t make space in advance for the heel: needles are inserted (with one row in-between) where the heel is to be knitted, and a stitch is snipped in the middle of the middle row to accommodate an opening for the heel. Lifelines may serve as guides to insert the needles in the right place.

The biggest advantage of the “true” method over the “forethought” method is that it doesn’t lead to the formation of gaps in the corners of the heel. The cut yarn remaining in the corners (the stitches left untouched when making the opening for the heel) forms an added layer on the inside, keeps the stress points strong, and prevents overstretching the fabric.

Another advantage (common to both methods): if the heel ever wears out, it can easily be unpicked and re-knitted.

You will need:

• An almost completed sock missing a heel, with some thin waste yarn (lifelines) threaded in where you want to add the heel.
• Needles (DPNs or circular) one size smaller than those you used to knit the sock (it is possible to use the same size needles, but it is a little easier with smaller ones)
• A blunt needle
• Scissors

The lifelines indicate stitches to pick up for the heel opening. They are separated by one row of stitches.

Starting from the right, with a needle one size smaller than these used to knit the sock, pick up the right leg of the stitches as you come to them. Simply follow the lifeline, and insert the needle where the lifeline goes.

7 stitches already picked up…

All stitches picked up along the bottom lifeline. Now time to pull the needle so they rest onto the cord of the circular needle…

Turn the sock upside down, and start again picking up stitches from the right.

Again, 7 stitches picked up along the second lifeline…

All stitches have been picked up. They are separated by a middle row of stitches.

Pull one leg of the stitch in the middle of this middle row (to make sure you snip a stitch from the desired row)…

… and cut it!

With the help of a blunt needle, unravel the cut yarn on both sides, one stitch at a time…

… until 2 or 3 sts remain untouched.

Do the same on both sides. You have created an opening for the heel.

Bring your sts on the needle (check your pattern to know which side to start from)…

… and start knitting **with your normal size needles**. The first few stitches may feel awkward because of the cut end still attached, but this is normal.

No disgraceful gap or stretch. The stress points are reinforced by the cut ends left in place.