Welcome to the world of peasant heels, a charming and practical knitting technique that adds a touch of rustic elegance to your handmade socks. The peasant heel, also known as an afterthought heel or a waste yarn heel, is a clever and straightforward method for creating a comfortable and durable heel without the fuss of gussets or short rows. This versatile technique is perfect for both beginners and experienced knitters, offering a seamless way to customise your sock’s fit and style. By allowing you to focus on the sock’s body first, the peasant heel gives you the flexibility to add the heel later, with minimal shaping required.
One of the things I love most about knitting a peasant heel is how amazing they look in self-striping yarn! The beauty of this method is that you can continue the stripes right through the heel without disrupting the pattern, creating a smooth, uninterrupted flow of colour. The result is a stunning bullseye effect on your heel, especially with vibrant or variegated yarns. This method really lets the yarn shine, making your socks visually captivating and unique.
Additionally, the peasant heel is perfect for those who find traditional heel flap and gusset constructions too roomy for their low insteps or narrow feet. Since the heel is added later, you can easily control the fit, making it ideal for a snugger, more customised finish. The construction is simple and efficient, with no need for picking up stitches along a gusset or turning short rows, making it a fantastic option for knitters who prefer a straightforward approach to sock making.
Whether you’re a seasoned sock knitter or just starting your journey, the peasant heel offers a beautiful and functional solution for creating well-fitted, stylish socks. Embrace the simplicity and beauty of this technique, and enjoy knitting socks that you’ll cherish for years to come!
Pattern Notes
These directions for this Peasant Heel are written for magic loop, and based on 48 [52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88] stitches, having the stitches divided evenly between the two needles. The directions can be worked using double-pointed needles, being mindful of where each half of your stitches begin and end.
The directions assume you’ve already worked the leg (for a cuff-down sock) or foot (for a toe-up sock) approximately 1 [1.25, 1.5, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.5, 2.75, 3]” / 2.5 [3, 4, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6.5, 6.5, 7, 7.5] cm less than your desired length and are working with a rhyFlower Knits sock pattern gauge of 32 stitches by 40 rounds in the stockinette = 4″ / 10 cm, after blocking. Gauge is crucial in obtaining the correct fit. Changes in gauge will cause a size difference for your finished socks.
Abbreviations used in the Peasant Heel
Dec: Decrease.
Inc: Increase.
K: Knit.
K2tog: Insert the right needle into 2 stitches simultaneously and knit the 2 stitches together. (1 st dec)
Rep: Repeat.
St(s): Stitch(es).
Ssk: Slip 2 stitches, one at a time, knitwise. Knit the slipped stitches together through the back loops. (1 st dec)
Directions for a Peasant Heel
Setup: Work the instep stitches as established; with your scrap yarn, knit to the end of your round. Slip the stitches purlwise back onto the left-hand needle and then pick back up with your main yarn and knit to the end of the round. Your heel is now in place to go back to later in the project. Complete the rest of the sock.
Note: If you’re working a cuff-down sock, you’ll need to add the reserved heel depth mentioned in the pattern notes to your toe measurements when working the foot to your desired length. If you do not, your sock will be much too long for your foot. Cuff-down patterns will often say to work the foot until it measures x less than the desired length. That’s the number you’ll add with your heel depth.
You’ll be working the stitches above and below the scrap yarn you placed earlier in your sock. With your sock toe pointing down, working right to left, pick up the right leg of all the stitches directly below the stitches of your scrap yarn. Rotate your work, so your toe is now pointing up, moving right to left, pick up the right leg of all the stitches directly below the scrap yarn. You’ll now have 24 [26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44] stitches on each needle.
Using your tapestry needle, pull out the scrap yarn. Join MC or CC and begin working in the round:
Round 1: *Pick up 1 st to close the gap, knit across the needle, then pick up 1 more st to close the gap; rep from * once more. (4 sts inc; 2 sts inc on each needle)
Round 2: Knit across round.
Round 3: *K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts on the needle, k2tog, k1; rep from * once more. (4 sts dec; 2 sts dec on each needle)
Continue working Rounds 2-3 until you have 40 stitches (20 stitches on each needle), then work Round 3 three more times; you’ll have 28 stitches (14 stitches on each needle). Cut yarn, leaving an 8” / 21 cm tail, and graft your heel closed.
Congratulations! You’ve worked the Peasant Heel! If you enjoy this heel shape, you may also enjoy a Short Row Heel or Afterthought Heel.
The yarn we used in our sample heel is from Brine Dyeworks.
Happy knitting! ♥
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