Sock knitting help

#1

Hi, I have just joined this forum for some help with a pair of socks I’m knitting for the first time. I’d say i’m probably an intermediate knitter and understand most terms. I’m about half way finished with these socks but i’ve come to a part that I need help with. I am following a book called “Learn to knit socks” and I am working on the Heel flap, the pattern says "working back and forth in rows on N1 sts only, knit 1 row.
Row 1 (WS) Purl
Row 2: Sl 1, *k1, sl 1; rep from * across
Row 3 - 20: Rep (Rows 1 and 2) 9 times - [B]10 sl st loops on each edge of the heel flap.[/B]

Firstly, I am confused by this last sentence which I have put in bold. I started with 21 stitches like the pattern says and after knitting all 20 rows have finished with 21 stitches. My other problem is that the next step called Turn Heel states the following
row 1 (WS) P13, p2tog, p1. this only equals 16 stitches, what do I do with the remaining 5? Is there something I didn’t do? With the bold sentence I didn’t do what it said there because I have a slipped stitch on the sides of the row (first stitch and last stitch) but no stitches have been decreased or anything like that so I don’t really understand where they could have gone!

Let me know if this is confusing to understand, I’m not the best at explaining things :stuck_out_tongue:

Thanks!

#2

The pattern is telling you to check your work and see that there are 10 slipped sts going up each side, one every other row for a total of 10. The direction to work 17 out of 21sts is for a short row. The next row will be even shorter as you leave sts on the other side of the heel. Don’t worry about those extra sts, you’ll work them into the heel in subsequent rows.

#3

Okay, I understand the slipped stitches now :slight_smile: when it says to work 17 out of 21sts do I just leave the remaining and continue with the next row or do I just slip them all? I’m not sure about that part

#4

Turn your knitting to the other side and follow the directions to work back on a knit row. It’s just as though you were at the end of the row and turning your knitting to the other side. Don’t slip those left over sts, ignore them.

#5

Okay :slight_smile: thanks for your help! I’ll be sure to come back on here if I get stuck later on in the socks! :slight_smile: Much appreciated

#6

This is what they call a short row. It will make the heel of your sock like a cup shape. You will knit the number of stitches your pattern requires, then turn the work and purl the other side. You will ignore the leftover stitches on the left and right sides for now. Each row you knit will get shorter and shorter. It will be like knitting a triangle shape. When you’re done with all that, you will begin to knit including the leftover stitches from the sides a few at a time. This “turns” the heel and gives it that cup shape. It’s a mitered corner of sorts.

Here’s what it will look like, but the sides will be joined.

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