Socks My Way: Heel & Toe Variations

Class Preview

Create socks perfectly fitted to the unique contours of any foot! Learn how to shape heels and toes using versatile methods you can mix and match.

Class Overview

Meet your instructor, expert knitter Lara Neel, and get a sneak peek at the wide range of techniques you’ll learn to knit perfectly fitting socks — from the top down or toe up!

The Sock: Fit & Techniques

Set yourself up for success before you even pick up your knitting needles. Learn how to accurately measure foot size, stitch gauge and row gauge, ensuring your socks will fit nice and snug. In addition, Lara highlights the variety of shaping and stitch patterns you can use in both the heel and toe of a sock.

Heels With Gussets: Top-Down Part 1

Gain confidence knitting heels with flaps and gussets that are worked from the top down. Get in-depth instruction on knitting a shaped common heel and grafting live stitches with the kitchener stitch — a fast way to turn a heel. Plus, Lara shows you the lovely square heel as an alternative to grafting.

Heels With Gussets: Top-Down Part 2

Learn how to construct three more types of heels from the top down as Lara demonstrates her technique for knitting half-handkerchief, round and band heels. In the process, you’ll practice working gusset decreases, shaping a portion of the heel flap and troubleshooting common problems.

Heels With Gussets: Toe-Up

Prefer to knit from the toe up? Lara shows you how to construct a variety of attractive flap and gusset heels. Get in-depth instruction on working gusset increases and turning the heel. You’ll also learn how to knit snug heel flaps using decreases — a simple alternative to picking up gusset stitches.

Short Row Heels & Toes

Shape the heel and toe of your socks using short rows! Lara guides you through the process of adjusting your pattern to suit wide, medium or narrow feet. Plus, discover which provisional cast on Lara prefers when knitting from the toe up.

Heels Without Gussets

Expand your design possibilities by mastering two types of heels without gussets. Learn how to knit a shaped joined heel flap, a speedy way to knit socks when working from the toe up. You’ll also get step-by-step instruction on shaping the thumb-joint hat-top heel after the sock is knit.

Toes Shaped at the Edges

Achieve a custom fit by shaping the toes of your socks at the edges. With Lara’s guidance, you’ll learn trusty techniques for constructing wedge, wide and sideways toes from the top down or toe up. In addition, Lara shares her method of knitting socks for extra short and extra long toes.

Toes in the Round

Gain familiarity shaping toes in the round as you practice knitting two lovely styles of toes — round and swirl. Want to work them from the toe up? Watch and learn as Lara walks you through the steps of casting on and knitting the first few rounds.