When To Start Your Fleegle Heel Increases (Where is the “Front of Your Ankle?”)
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.
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!
Related Course: Mastering Magic Loop Socks
Knitting socks is easy and fun when you use Magic Loop. You can even knit them two-at-a-time! You’ll be amazed at how easy it is.
Learn Magic Loop, Toe-Up Two-at-a-Time Socks, and Top-Down Two-at-a-Time socks in this bundle class that includes 8 different sock patterns for all yarn weights.
Related Course: Toe-Up, Two-at-a-Time Socks
Toe-up socks are the hippest and most addictive project in knitting right now, and it's easy to see why.
Knitters love making their socks from the toe-up because they can try on as they go, knit two-at-a-time, and there's no heel flap or picking up stitches.
The ideal project for any intermediate knitter to learn, improve, and enjoy.
Related Course: Top-Down Socks, Two-at-a-Time
Knitting two-at-a-time socks is the coolest trend in knitting right now. Never suffer from second-sock syndrome again.
Once you learn the technique of knitting socks on Magic Loop, you'll want to make everything in the round two-at-a-time, whether it's sweater sleeves, socks, or mittens.
Since my live "How to Knit Socks on Magic Loop, One or Two-at-a-Time" class in Salt Lake City started getting oversold, I created a video knitting course that guides you through all the steps of learning this new technique, just as if you were in a private lesson with me.
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!