How to Crochet a Heel

The most basic crocheted sock heel is called an afterthought heel.

Crocheted heels are an important part of any sock pattern. Once you understand the method for crocheted heels you have the ability to adapt any heel pattern to fit your needs, or "wing it" and crochet a heel without a pattern. The most basic crocheted heel is called an afterthought heel. This type of heel is easy to understand and customize to a foot size. Another perk, according to DyakCraft and Linda Diak, is "an afterthought heel means that worn out heels can be removed and replaced at any time."

Things You'll Need

• Crochet pattern
• Yarn
• Crochet hook
• Crocheted sock
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors

Instructions

Make Your Afterthought Heel

1. Finish your crocheted sock pattern. The pattern will ask you to leave a hole for the heel.

2. Make an adjustable loop, or slip knot, with yarn. Put the crochet hook through the slip knot loop, and pull the long end of the yarn to tighten the loop.

3. On the right side of the sock, find the corner of the heel hole, where the foot and cuff of the sock join together.

4. Locate the stitch before the corner. Move one stitch to the right and attach the yarn to the edge of the heel hole with a slip stitch.

5. Single crochet through the next two stitches at the same time. Put a marker through the top of the stitch you just completed.

6. Single crochet along the edge of the heel hole to the opposite corner, one stitch before the corner stitch.

7. Single crochet through both corner stitches together.

8. Continue with single crochet until you reach the first corner and marker.

9. Single crochet in the stitch with the marker. Move the marker up to the stitch you just completed.

10. Single crochet around to the stitch before the marker.

11. Repeat steps five through 10 until the heel fits just right. Try the sock on after each single crochet together row to see how the heel fits.

12. Once the heel fits properly, turn the sock inside out, leaving the yarn from the last row still attached.

13. Slip stitch the two sides of the heel together. If you prefer, cut the yarn leaving 10 inches. Thread the yarn through a tapestry needle. Sew the two heel edges together.

14. Trim the yarn leaving a 4-inch tail. Pull the yarn through the last stitch and hold onto the yarn, forming a loop. Wrap the yarn through the loop three times, creating a knot. Pull the yarn firm and weave the end of the yarn through the sock a few rows with the crochet hook or tapestry needle. Trim the end of the yarn with scissors.

Tips & Warnings

• Refer to the Resource section for help with stitches.

• If you do not have specially made markers for crochet and knitting, use safety pins, yarn, pieces of metal jewelry chain or anything else that works for you.

• One single crochet together in each corner may not be enough if you need a small heel. Single crochet together the two stitches before the marker, and the next two stitches. Move the marker up to the right single crochet together stitch.

• Make sure to hold onto the yarn when trying on the sock so stitches do not pull out.

• Markers can fall out of stitches. Make sure the marker "hangs" on the stitch, so the opening of the marker points towards the bottom and away from the stitch.

• Space single crochets evenly when working the first row of the heel. The single crochets should not pull or bunch.

References

• DyakCraft; Toe Up Crocheted Socks; Linda Diak

Resources

• Annie's Attic; Crochet Information; Stitching Guides
• Knit Simple Magazine; Beginner Basics; Crochet 101; Seaming
• Knit Simple Magazine; Beginner Basics; Crochet 101; Edges
• Coats and Clark; Needlecrafts: Crochet How-to's; Making a Slip Knot/Yarn Over