Sock heel flap confusion

Hi,

I’m knitting my first sock from a book of sock patterns by Charlotte Stone (I’m ignoring the colour work for now).

I’ve finished the leg, reached the heel flap. I’ve put the needles for the heel flap onto the same DPN as instructed:

"The heel is worked flat and knit back and forth using 28(32,36) sts that are currently on Needle 1. Needle 2 is holding the 28(32,36) sts for the instep.

Row 1 (RS). *S11, K1; repeat from * to end of the row. Turn.
Row 2 (WS). S11, purl to the end of the row. Turn.

What I don’t understand is… Surely there needs to be a different number of slip stitches relative to the different sizes? Sure those 2 rows will work for the largest option (36 stitches on the needle) but how do I make this work for the middle option of 32 stitches on the needle? Also is it deliberate that the RS row has an * and repeat whereas the WS does not??

Many thanks for helping in advance!

Seb

It may be that the font has gotten in the way of understanding the pattern.

Row 1 (RS). *Slip 1 stitch, K1; repeat from * to end of the row. Turn.
This is part of the slip stitch heel where every other stitch is slipped on the RS rows.

For the WS rows, purl across the row after the initial slip stitch.
Row 2 (WS). Slip one stitch, purl to the end of the row. Turn.

1 Like

Hi,

You have magically revealed all yet again! Can’t believe I didn’t see the difference in the font between the ‘l’ and the ‘1’!

Thank you so much!

Seb

1 Like

This is so easy to mistake. It’s a real, “Whaaat?” moment. Good that you caught it before struggling with the sts on needles.