I happen to be knitting a pair of worsted-weight socks, toe-up of course, and thinking about my lovely knitting students and the problems they run into most often when knitting toe-up socks.
A big one for first-time knitters of my basic Toe-Up Socks for Magic Loop is knowing when to start increasing for the Fleegle heel. Fleegle describes the time to start increasing as “when the knitting reaches the front of your ankle.”
I don’t know about you, but my ankle has more of a gradual transition than a demarcation where my foot turns into my leg.
To overcome this issue, here’s what to do:
Flex your foot as much as you can (above) – this helps the “front of the ankle” become more apparent.
Pull the sock onto your foot (which of course is easy because you’re using Magic Loop), and hold it as snug as you’d like it when you’re wearing it. If the knitting reaches the crook in your ankle, you’re ready to start the Fleegle heel increases.
Here’s me trying on my sock – I’m ready to start my heel.
Use both hands to pull the sock on. You can see that my knitting is stretched snug and hits what, over time, I have come to judge as the front of my ankle.
If you’re not sure, better start increasing. Most people just learning this technique tend to wait too long to start the heel.
Update: Watch a Video On How to Tell When to Start Increasing
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[KnitFreedom] Toe Up Socks: When To Start Increases For Fleegle Heel
Further Resources:
- With Liat’s Help I Will Make Toe-Up Socks! Forum Discussion Thread
- Worsted-Weight Toe-Up Sock Pattern
If you liked this tutorial on when to start your fleegle heel increases, please add your comment!
Lovely clear instructions AND good pic. Clear and simple!
I am knitting socks for someone else who lives in another state, and it is a surprise gift. Isn’t there a simple chart somewhere that gives average measurements for how many inches of toe to knit before starting the Fleegle heel for men, women, and children?
Hi Dee! Sounds like an amazing project. I recommend checking out the Foot Size Chart from the Craft Yarn Council which has the measurements for feet of all sizes and genders. If you know their shoe size, you can start the heel 2.5-3″ less than the total length
You can find the chart here: https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/standards/foot-size-charts
Hope this helps and happy knitting!
I am excited! I found a site that really helps you learn how to knit toe up socks! thank you! I think I can proceed with my toe up sock knitting.
I did do them on dpns but I have a question. When you work the last row and use fleegle’s no hole do you decrease at the end of the heel/instep needle? Thanks.
Yes. You can download a free pattern to follow along with here: Free Sock Patterns
Just wondering if anyone can explain how to do this heel on DPNs please?
Sure Mags, just put the instep stitches on one DPN and divide the heel stitches over two DPNs. You’ll be working back-and-forth over the two DPNs – you can just pretend like they’re one needle. Just follow the directions in the pattern and don’t even worry about what kind of needles you’re using – it really doesn’t matter. Your stitches can’t tell the difference!