How Do You Knit a Heel Turn?

Mint green socks with the focus on the heel. Knitting needles are also placed on top of the socks and there is a white, lace background. Text on the image reads: Learn to knit the heel turn of a sock. Banana Moon Studio. Read this post to answer "how do you knit a heel turn?"

If you are new to sock knitting you may be asking “how do you knit a heel turn?” I have the answer for you in this post and free video tutorial. Read on for more information, and when you’re ready, go to the video below to see how it’s done.

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What is a heel turn anyway?

If you are *really* new to sock knitting, you may be wondering what a heel turn even is. So let’s take a moment to go over the parts of handknit socks.

At the top of the sock you have the cuff. We usually knit that in ribbing. To start at the cuff, you’ll have to cast on with either double pointed needles, or circular needles.

Then you’ll knit around and around until you have the leg of the sock as long as you want it. For ankle socks, you may not knit any more leg after the cuff. For typical crew socks, six to eight inches from cast on to heel is common.

Once you’ve finished the leg you’ll knit the heel. There are actually lots of ways to knit heels. A heel flap, heel turn, and gusset combination is very common, and a good method to start with. Once you’re very comfortable knitting socks, it’s a great idea to try other heel constructions methods to see which you like best.

A heel flap is just that. You work flat for a few inches on only half the sock stitches to make a flap that covers the back of the heel. The heel turn is a section that uses short rows to cup the bottom of the heel. Then the gusset is a wedge shaped piece that fills in the gap between the heel flap and the top of the sock.

From there you knit the foot, which is more going around and around with no shaping. This is TV knitting, unless you’re doing a complex lace or texture pattern.

Last, when your sock foot measures about two inches less than the actual foot its going on, it’s time to start decreasing for the toe. My favorite method for toes is a gathered toe. It’s very easy, just like closing the top of a hat. You decrease until you have eight to ten stitches left and gather the stitches closed.

How to knit socks video tutorial series

I’ve put together a perfect set of posts and videos for those of you that want to learn to knit socks! I have a free sock knitting pattern, Catoosa Socks. I also have a free video tutorial for each of the parts of the sock, except the leg and foot, since they are just straight knitting.

You can find the rest of the videos in this sock knitting series at the links below:

How to cast on with double-pointed needles

How to knit the heel flap of a sock

Learn to knit the heel turn of a sock, that’s the video below in this post!

Learn to knit the gusset of a sock

How to knit a gathered toe for a sock

And for that free sock knitting pattern that goes with all of these videos, get my free Catoosa Socks knitting pattern here.

Photo of handknit mint green, textured socks and steel double pointed sock knitting needles on a white lace background. Text reads: Banana Moon Studio.

How do you knit a heel turn video tutorial

Image of mint green, textured handknit socks along with double pointed sock knitting needles on a white lace background. A white banner with text reads: Banana Moon Studio. Learn to knit the heel turn of a sock. Clicking this image will direct the user to a youtube video to teach how to knit the heel turn of a sock. — How do you knit a heel turn video tutorial

Did you get it? I hope this video helped you learn how to knit a heel turn. I’d love to see your progress! Come join my Facebook group to share your accomplishments and progress!

Happy knitting,