Shortly after I learned to knit socks with afterthought heels, I noticed that the fabric tended to pull tight across the instep, and bulge a little at the back of the heel. This sock addresses both issues by using a herringbone fabric. Because herringbone fabric slants diagonally in alternate directions, you can orient the 3 “points” of the leg, heel, and cuff towards the ankle. This gives some ease to the instep, and at the same time, pulls the heel up in the back so it doesn’t bulge. Visually, the joining of the 3 points creates an interesting-looking ankle from the side, and the 10-stitch panel in the front provides a canvas for lace or other decorative pattern.

About the book…

Ever wonder if Judy’s Magic Cast-On could be used outside of socks? Judy Becker shows five ways to use JMCO. Twenty-three patterns from twenty-one designers showcase each clearly illustrated technique. Adventurous knitters will find fun projects and a treasure map to explore.