If it helps anyone, Elizabeth Zimmermann says to use two-thirds of the stitches for an afterthought heel....not half like a lot of people do. She then says work 3 rounds plain before starting decreasing. Haven’t tried it yet, but this should make for a roomier heel than the usual. Use this style of decrease and you’ll have a beautiful heel😊. Thanks for the great video!
PERFECT!! I've never cared for that big line of decreases on the afterthought heel! Now, I can't WAIT to give this a try! Thanks, Roxanne! You're my hero!
I like doing the SSK this way. It's actually the way I learned it. I also LOVE Judy's Magic cast on for toe up sodks, I just have to keep reminding myself to cast it on loose enough to get my needle in the stitches. LOL I prefer toe up socks for the very reason that I don't have to worry about running out of yarn for the foot. Thank you for all of your videos. I prefer your videos to all of those I have seen online.
Your videos give me the confidence to try alternative methods when I have issues with a particular part of a pattern. Thank you for sharing your solutions. Can’t wait to try this one.
I’ve always disliked the “bulky” looking nature of the standard decrease, so I’m delighted to try this method. I like the Kirby Wirby method to eliminate the gaps but will try out your technique. Once again, you’ve come up with a great way to refine a standard tehnique. Combined with your method of eliminating dog ears, I look forward to putting the peasant heel back into use. Many thanks, Rox.
Thank you so much! I have watched a couple of your modification videos. I was looking to increase the depth of the heel diagonal after knitting my first color work socks using a peasant heel and the top of the ankle was super tight. Now I have a plan on how to fix the first one and make the second one fit the first time.
Thank you so much, Roxanne, for your kind answer regarding peasant heels. That you took the time to explain in such great detail really impressed me, particularly as you didn't ask for money for your service. Right now I can't knit due to pain in my joints (I am suffering from rheumatism). Realised that I have to change the way I use my hands when knitting. Not so easy!
Rox i always love your videos and this was no exception. Thank you. I’m off to kofi to buy you a coffee to show my support & hope you will keep doing these videos ☕️
I tried your technique and love the way having my afterthought heel decreases leaning against each other looks, but I get laddering between my decreases after a few wears. Any recommendations?
I just tried this alternate decrease method and really like it. The only issue I’m having is that I can’t seem to get the diagonal tight together enough. I see a tiny ladder in between. Is there a trick to getting the diagonal seem tighter?
I have a playlist of videos related to peasant heels here: ruclips.net/p/PL1AZxTfSCe2ffOceDdBApIMUjkwS2sD1P. You need to know how long the heel is going to end up when it's finished (i.e. how many rounds long it will be) and use your row gauge to figure out how that translates to actual length. So if you have 64 sts and you're reducing down to 20 sts, you'll have 22 rnds for the heel. If your row gauge is 11 rnds/in, that will be 2'' long. So when your sock leg is 2'' shorter than you want it to be from cuff to floor, mark the heel location. If you're working toe up, then when sock foot is 2'' shorter than you want it to be from toe to heel, mark the heel. The playlist includes various ways to modify a peasant heel for a better fit.
Are there a total of 6 decreases on a round (one at the beginning, middle and end of each side)? Or 4 (one at the beginning and end of total round, and middle of each side)? I want to use this for a Christmas stocking, but I'm confused how many places on the decrease round to use the side by side decreases. Thanks. Love your tutorials.
Hi Roxanne, I tried these yesterday and found that I struggled a lot with laddering - something that isn't normally an issue for me. Any tips? I had to go in the back and do some reverse duplicate stitch to try to tighten the gap a bit, which helped but in the end I think this heel would've looked a bit tidier with the standard peasant heel especially since the malabrigo sock yarn is so soft the decreases flatten out so I don't think the double decreases would've been too noticeable. But since I have already done one sock this way would love any tips for making my second one look a bit neater! Thanks.
I don't, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't. I find that the 4-st span of sts you get with the k2tog, k2, ssk situation works well for the toes, because that's about the same depth that the toes have.
I'm not sure what you're asking. Do you mean how do I graft the heel closed to avoid dog ears? I use the same method I use for toe grafting: ruclips.net/video/sWQo8xJtHRU/видео.html
I didn't mention it, because the point of the video is to show an alternative method of working the decreases used in a peasant heel. For more information about peasant heels, stitch counts, modifications, etc., I have a playlist of videos here: ruclips.net/p/PL1AZxTfSCe2ffOceDdBApIMUjkwS2sD1P
It's the same as for any peasant heel, which is typically when you are down to around 30% of your starting stitch count. That will vary based on any modifications you have made to improve the fit. This video is showing a different option to the decreases than what is typically used for peasant heels.
That results in the top st being twisted. If that works for you, go for it. I prefer the top st to be untwisted, given that the rest of the fabric is made of untwisted sts.
If it helps anyone, Elizabeth Zimmermann says to use two-thirds of the stitches for an afterthought heel....not half like a lot of people do. She then says work 3 rounds plain before starting decreasing. Haven’t tried it yet, but this should make for a roomier heel than the usual. Use this style of decrease and you’ll have a beautiful heel😊. Thanks for the great video!
I usually use half the stitches for the heel but knit 5-6 rounds plain before decreasing.
The way you picked up those two stitches and knit them together - whoa! Great example of that.
PERFECT!! I've never cared for that big line of decreases on the afterthought heel! Now, I can't WAIT to give this a try! Thanks, Roxanne! You're my hero!
I'm delighted....I never liked the noticeable band in the middle of the afterthought heel. Thank you!
I like doing the SSK this way. It's actually the way I learned it. I also LOVE Judy's Magic cast on for toe up sodks, I just have to keep reminding myself to cast it on loose enough to get my needle in the stitches. LOL I prefer toe up socks for the very reason that I don't have to worry about running out of yarn for the foot. Thank you for all of your videos. I prefer your videos to all of those I have seen online.
Jean ;knit a heel in sock starting at the leg
Your videos give me the confidence to try alternative methods when I have issues with a particular part of a pattern. Thank you for sharing your solutions. Can’t wait to try this one.
Your techniques are always exceptional, and you have become my go-to person for knitting help. Thank you so much x
Thankyou for your Technique Tuesdays. I have been knitting most of my life but still am open to learning new methods. It is good of you to share.
I’ve always disliked the “bulky” looking nature of the standard decrease, so I’m delighted to try this method. I like the Kirby Wirby method to eliminate the gaps but will try out your technique. Once again, you’ve come up with a great way to refine a standard tehnique. Combined with your method of eliminating dog ears, I look forward to putting the peasant heel back into use. Many thanks, Rox.
As usual very lucid, thorough instruction. Thanks.
Thank you so much! I have watched a couple of your modification videos. I was looking to increase the depth of the heel diagonal after knitting my first color work socks using a peasant heel and the top of the ankle was super tight. Now I have a plan on how to fix the first one and make the second one fit the first time.
Thank you so much, Roxanne, for your kind answer regarding peasant heels. That you took the time to explain in such great detail really impressed me, particularly as you didn't ask for money for your service. Right now I can't knit due to pain in my joints (I am suffering from rheumatism). Realised that I have to change the way I use my hands when knitting. Not so easy!
Thanks for showing us your alternative SSK! looks great!
Thanks Rox! Super technique. Great demo.
I’m making my very 1st after thought heel and your heel is way more appealing to me 🥰😍
Wonderful tutorial and perfect timing as I have just started to do the heel on my forethought sock. Thank you!
Ooolala I am def gonna try this it def looks like a fancier heel technique but damn I actually understood it!! Thanks :)
Rox i always love your videos and this was no exception. Thank you. I’m off to kofi to buy you a coffee to show my support & hope you will keep doing these videos ☕️
What a fun technique! Thanks!
So very clear. Thank you.
Interesting! Thanks for sharing!
I love this tutorial. Thanks!
I tried your technique and love the way having my afterthought heel decreases leaning against each other looks, but I get laddering between my decreases after a few wears. Any recommendations?
I just tried this alternate decrease method and really like it. The only issue I’m having is that I can’t seem to get the diagonal tight together enough. I see a tiny ladder in between. Is there a trick to getting the diagonal seem tighter?
This is great!
Thank you for all the information you share. For a new sock knitter you are great.
Thank you!
Thank you you are so brillant!!
Very well shown, but how in the hell do you define where exactly do you start with an afterthought heel, or where do you mark it beforehand?
I have a playlist of videos related to peasant heels here: ruclips.net/p/PL1AZxTfSCe2ffOceDdBApIMUjkwS2sD1P. You need to know how long the heel is going to end up when it's finished (i.e. how many rounds long it will be) and use your row gauge to figure out how that translates to actual length. So if you have 64 sts and you're reducing down to 20 sts, you'll have 22 rnds for the heel. If your row gauge is 11 rnds/in, that will be 2'' long. So when your sock leg is 2'' shorter than you want it to be from cuff to floor, mark the heel location. If you're working toe up, then when sock foot is 2'' shorter than you want it to be from toe to heel, mark the heel. The playlist includes various ways to modify a peasant heel for a better fit.
Are there a total of 6 decreases on a round (one at the beginning, middle and end of each side)? Or 4 (one at the beginning and end of total round, and middle of each side)? I want to use this for a Christmas stocking, but I'm confused how many places on the decrease round to use the side by side decreases. Thanks. Love your tutorials.
4 Decs per round.
Hi Roxanne, I tried these yesterday and found that I struggled a lot with laddering - something that isn't normally an issue for me. Any tips? I had to go in the back and do some reverse duplicate stitch to try to tighten the gap a bit, which helped but in the end I think this heel would've looked a bit tidier with the standard peasant heel especially since the malabrigo sock yarn is so soft the decreases flatten out so I don't think the double decreases would've been too noticeable. But since I have already done one sock this way would love any tips for making my second one look a bit neater! Thanks.
I like it!
Thanks Roxanne. Do you use these alternative decreases as well for the toe?
I don't, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't. I find that the 4-st span of sts you get with the k2tog, k2, ssk situation works well for the toes, because that's about the same depth that the toes have.
Thank you for this. I'm going to try this on my next sock.
👊💥 thanks
Thank you very much, that I looking for a long time. can I use this method without to knit a row in between the decreases?
You can always add or remove plain rounds, in order to adjust the fit of the heel.
I want to know how to finish the heel. What kind of stitch do you use to make it round.
I'm not sure what you're asking. Do you mean how do I graft the heel closed to avoid dog ears? I use the same method I use for toe grafting: ruclips.net/video/sWQo8xJtHRU/видео.html
There is a forgotten boomerang heel?
I'm not understanding your question. Could you be more specific?
You do not mentioned until how many stich we have to finish the heel ?
I didn't mention it, because the point of the video is to show an alternative method of working the decreases used in a peasant heel. For more information about peasant heels, stitch counts, modifications, etc., I have a playlist of videos here: ruclips.net/p/PL1AZxTfSCe2ffOceDdBApIMUjkwS2sD1P
How do you finish? Do you keep decreasing until you have no sts left?
It's the same as for any peasant heel, which is typically when you are down to around 30% of your starting stitch count. That will vary based on any modifications you have made to improve the fit. This video is showing a different option to the decreases than what is typically used for peasant heels.
i want to perfect this peasant heel
knit 2 tog. through back of loops. instead of the complicated movement.
That results in the top st being twisted. If that works for you, go for it. I prefer the top st to be untwisted, given that the rest of the fabric is made of untwisted sts.
Comment made below refers to me as a new knitter. I am sure you knew that, but just making it clear.
Lol yes I figured. :-)