Heel Flat Socks Knitting Pattern

Heel Flat Socks in Plymouth Yarn Andes Socks

What is Being Made

These are classic heel flap socks designed to fit ladies small/medium, ladies large, or men's medium/large sizes. The socks feature a traditional construction method with a structured heel flap and gusset shaping, making them a versatile everyday sock suitable for various foot sizes.

Knitting Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several essential sock-making techniques:

• Cuff Construction: The sock begins with a cast-on worked on double pointed needles, then divided and joined to work in the round, establishing the cuff opening.
• Heel Flap: A structured heel flap is created by working back and forth across half the stitches in a slip-stitch pattern, which creates a reinforced, durable heel section.
• Heel Turn: The pattern uses a classic heel turn technique with paired decreases (p2tog and k2tog) worked strategically to shape the heel cup, requiring careful attention to stitch gaps created during turning rows.
• Gusset Shaping: After the heel turn, stitches are picked up along both sides of the heel flap and decreased to transition smoothly from the heel to the leg portion of the sock.
• Circular Knitting: The sock is worked primarily in the round using the three-needle method on double pointed needles, which is traditional for sock construction.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K): The primary stitch used throughout the foot and leg sections.
• Purl (P): Used in the ribbed cuff and heel turn sections.
• Slip Stitch (Slip 1): Used extensively in the heel flap for a reinforced texture; slipped as if to purl except when working SSK decreases.
• Stockinette Stitch (st st): The main fabric stitch used for the body of the sock.
• Ribbing (K2, P2): Used for the cuff to create elasticity and a finished edge.
• Decrease Stitches: P2tog (purl two together) and k2tog (knit two together) are used during the heel turn for shaping, and SSK (slip, slip, knit) is referenced for decrease work.

Materials and Gauge

The socks are knitted using Plymouth Yarn Andes Socks yarn, with yardage requirements of 1 hank for smaller sizes and 2 hanks for the largest size. The pattern was photographed in color 10 grey mix. The recommended gauge is 32 stitches over 4 inches when worked in stockinette stitch on US 2 needles, though the pattern notes that any needle size necessary to obtain the correct gauge may be substituted. A complete set of double pointed needles in size US 2 is required for this project.

Pattern Structure Overview

The sock construction follows a logical progression: the cuff is worked in K2, P2 ribbing for 6 to 8 inches depending on size, followed by plain knit rounds to transition to the heel. The heel flap is then worked flat with slip stitches over 30 to 36 rows, creating a reinforced section. The heel is turned using a series of decrease rows that shape the heel cup, and the gusset is formed by picking up stitches along the heel flap sides and decreasing them back to the original leg stitch count. This traditional sock construction method is suitable for intermediate knitters who understand basic increases, decreases, and working in the round.