How to crochet a short row heel on toe up socks

If you have always been intimidated by crocheting socks, I want to reassure you that they are much more straightforward than you imagine.

In fact, when constructed with a short row heel, crochet socks are worked all in one piece. That’s only 2 ends to sew in (and one of them is hidden inside the toe so who will know?).

Short row heels are a simple but ingenious design. So let’s take a look at what’s involved.

What are short row heels?

A short row heel starts by crocheting progressively shorter rows. Once you reach the shortest row, you start increasing row length again, picking up the decrease rows as you go. This causes the heel to turn, creating the cup shape.

You’ll continue increasing until your rows reach the same length you started with.

That’s a bit wordy but stay with me. Once you see the photo tutorial it will all become clear!

This technique uses what is sometimes called a ‘double ended short row’. If you’re new to the concept of short rows and want to understand the concept, check out this article which explains how short rows are used in crochet.

Short row heels can be worked with toe-up or cuff-down socks so are really versatile.

For the purposes of this tutorial, I am using the Step On sock pattern as an example. This is an easy toe-up short row heel sock design.

Woman’s feet wearing crochet socks, standing on white wooden surface in front of off-white wall — An idea of what finished short row sock heels look like

What are the pros and cons of short row heels?

For me, the biggest benefit of short row heels is that you get to work your sock in one piece… no seaming or coming back to finish that bit off later!

The minus point is that they are harder to replace when they wear out (which well worn socks will inevitably do). Afterthought heels are easiest to replace (read about all heel types and sock construction in my anatomy of a sock post).

How to work a short row heel

That’s the basics out the way, lets get stuck into how to actually make them! I promise this isn’t as complicated as you think!!

The foot and ankle of a sock are usually worked in the round, so when it comes to the heel, you will switch to working in rows. As stated at the beginning, you start by working decrease rows, then increase again, picking up the decreased stitches.

Most commonly, as in this case, heels are worked in single crochet (UK double crochet) as this is a robust hard wearing stitch.

We are using a toe-up sock to demonstrate here but the same principal will apply to a cuff-down heel.

The Short Row Decrease

As a general rule of thumb, the heel set up row will require working half the number of stitches used in the circumference foot (or ankle). This row will be worked directly into the previous round.

You will be working rows on the underside of the foot if you are working toe up and the back of the ankle if you’re working cuff down.

In this example we worked 22 single crochet onto the wrong side of the bottom of the foot. (where the circumference of the foot used 44 stitches)

You will then decrease by 1 stitch each row.

In this example, the decrease is made by chaining 1 (turning chains do not count as stitches), missing the first stitch of the row, then working 1 single crochet (UK double crochet) into each stitch to the end of the row.

Partially made pink crochet sock on blue background

Some patterns will decrease at the end of the row.

Turn to start the next row.

Repeat the decrease row until you reach your minimum stitch count, which should be about a third the number of stitches on the first row.

The Short Row Increase

Once you have finished your decrease rows, you will begin increasing the number of stitches in each row.

You will increase by working 1 single crochet into each stitch along the previous row, then making a single crochet in the the ‘missed’ stitch from the decrease row 2 rows down. This is what is meant by ‘picking up stitches’.

In the example you see here, you will work your single crochet over the chain 1 space. (The one you made when missing the first stitch of the row on the decrease section.)

As you repeat the increase row, the flat rows will start to curl up and you will ‘turn the heel’.

Repeat the heel increase row until you return to the same number of stitches you started with. In our Step on Sock, this will be a wrong side row.

Ankle set up

In this patten, you will set up to work the ankle by continuing from the end of the last heel row and working in pattern across the front of the sock.

Join to the top of the first stitch of the last heel row using a slip stitch and turn.

You are now back to working in rounds again! working the last row of the heel around the front of the sock.

Your heel is complete!

You can now continue working your ankle until your sock reaches it’s desired height!

You may want to try your sock on to check the fit before continuing too far into the ankle.

That is really all there is to it!!

There are of course many modifications on this technique in different patterns but the basic principle remains the same.

I hope this convinces you to give sock making a go!

You can get the generic Step On sock pattern for free on the blog (in size adult small) or download the add free PDF containing 6 sizes from toddler to large adult from Ravelry, Etsy or Love Crafts Crochet.

Any more sock questions, just ask!

Happy Hooking