Step Five

Now we're ready to begin the short row heel.

First, knit across the top needle and get ready to begin on the bottom needle, which holds the sole of the sock. We will not use the top needle again until the heel is finished.

Note: If you're knitting contrasting heels and toes, change to your contrast color now.

Knit across to the last stitch.

Slip the last stitch purlwise. (BTW, always slip purlwise unless specified otherwise. This is generally true for most knitting patterns.)

Wrap the working yarn around the stitch from back to front,

Then slip the stitch back to the left needle.

And turn your work. Turn the sock around as if you're knitting flat. Bring the working yarn to the front, between the needles, slip one, and purl across to the last stitch.

Slip the last stitch, wrap the yarn around, from front to back, and slip the stitch back to your left needle.

Turn your work. Slip one, and knit to 1 stitch before the last wrapped stitch.

Wrap the stitch (slip it, wrap the yarn, and slip it back).

And turn your work. Slip one, purl across to 1 stitch before the last wrapped stitch, and wrap and turn again.

Continue in this manner until you have 8 wrapped stitches on either side. If you like a narrower heel, wrap 10-12 stitches on either side. Finish on with a wrong side wrap and turn.