Diagonal Decrease Heel: Short Row Method

Here is a heel, done with short rows, giving a diagonal decrease like those that are store-bought. This was adapted from a Christmas stocking pattern done on two needles. There are no gussets when using this heel. All you need to decide on is how many stitches you want to decrease to when you adapt it to other numbers. Once you do it, it is very easy.

This example is worked on 32 heel stitches but can be adapted to any number of stitches.

• Row 1 K 31, turn.
• Row 2 P 30, turn.
• Row 3 K 29, turn.
• Row 4 P 28, turn.
• Row 5 K 27, turn.
• Row 6 P 26, turn.
• Continue in this manner until 14 stitches (or about one-third of the original stitches) are left.
• Next Row K 14, sl 1, yarn forward, place sl st on left needle and turn (wrap and turn made).
• Next Row P 14, sl, yarn back, place sl st on left needle, turn (wrap and turn made).
• Next Row K 15, wrap and turn.
• Next Row P 16, wrap and turn.
• Continue in this manner until 32 stitches are back on needle.

Continue in sock pattern working all stitches left on holding needles.

The stitches can be wrapped as you decrease instead of on the increases. It’s up to you. I’ve done it both ways and works either way. I do prefer this way as it seems a bit faster.

Contributed by Joanne Schubert