Crochet Sock Heels to Master

Crochet socks in general, and crochet sock heels in particular have a reputation for being tricky. Start reading a crochet sock pattern and it’s easy to see why people get mentally stuck on certain aspects of the construction, especially the crochet sock heel. It can be difficult to get that perfect fit that makes a handmade sock so much better than a purchased one. But by learning from the types of heels possible in knitted socks, crochet socks can become a lot more versatile.

As Rohn Strong says in his book Step Into Crochet: “Ask most crocheters if they’ve ever crocheted a sock and most of them will tell you one of two things: ‘Yes, but they never fit, so I gave up.’ OR ‘No, but I’ve always wanted to!’”

Fortunately, Step Into Crochet is a go-to guide for everything you need to know to make the perfect crochet sock, including the troublesome heel. If you find yourself having trouble bringing your sock to heel (pun intended), try one of these heel construction methods. Each has been adapted from its knitting counterpart to make a better fitting and more versatile crocheted sock.

The Round Heel

The standard round heel, also called the French heel, is one of the most popular heel types in both its cuff-down and toe-up variations. The round heel consists of a heel flap made from a trapezoid of fabric that is worked into the body of the sock to form a gusset.

The Strong Heel

This heel is very easy and fun to complete. Except for the turn, this entire heel is worked in the round to create the gusset. A short-row heel turn acts as a decrease method in the cuff-down version, while the toe-up strong heel’s turn is worked after the foot has been crocheted to the desired length.

The Band Heel

Also called a Dutch heel, the band heel works up well in both toe-up and cuff-down variations. The heel flap is worked on half of the total stiches to a designated length, then one-third of the total stitches in the center are used to create a band. This band is joined to the stitches on either side to form the gusset.

The Wedge-Shaped Heel

The wedge-shaped heel is very common, and you’ll see it in some of Interweave’s most popular sock patterns. It can be used in toe-up or cuff-down socks and there are a variety of ways to achieve it. It can be worked as an afterthought and in the round by picking up stitches along an opening left at the heel. Finally, it can be created by working back and forth in short-rows.

There’s no need to fear the sock heel! Try a few of these variations and figure out which one works best for you and for your feet. If you want to learn so much more about crocheting socks, check out Step Into Crochet for yourself!

Do you have a favorite crochet sock heel or sock crochet pattern? Let us know in the comments!

Originally published 11/20/2017. Updated 11/13/2023.

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