I am 1 1/2 inches away from starting the heel flap. Even though the “what is unknit” question was answered yesterday. The logic of unknit does not fit in my brain. Since the pattern wants knitter to unknit last pearl stitch, of the round, then move that stitch (after unknit) to needle 1. Why not just knit the last stitch instead of pearl, why undo/rip it and knit it. I understand moving the stitch from needle 3 to needle 1, 1 stitch from needle 1 to 2, and 1 stitch from needle 2 to needle 3. The heel flap is also started on ws row, I understand that. The purpose of moving/transferring the 1 stitch from each needle is to center the pattern over the instep (understand). The purpose of the unknit is to begin and end with a pearl stitch, when knitting the instep, and the unknit produces that, I understand. [b][i][u]But it is the method to achieve it, why not just knit the last stitch, vs, pearl, then unknit the pearl. If I just knit the last stitch instead, won’t I achieve the exact same effect when I move transfer the knit stitch? I am not touching my heel flap until I hear from the authorities!
Unknit vs. Just Knit Calling all Sock Knitters
I don’t understand the unknitting either…I’ve never seen that in a sock pattern! :??
The only directions I’ve seen (and used) require a slip stitch at the beginning of every row and a knit stitch at the end, which makes picking up stiches for the gusset easier… Maybe someone else will chime in here!
All of my other sock books say the same thing you do. This author however wants the knitter to unknit the last pearl stitch, then move that last stitch to needle 1, then move 1 stitch from needle 2, then 1 stitch from needle 2 to needle 3. This will center the pattern over the instep. Once the moved stitches are moved to appropriate needles, the knitter "turns work, begin heel flap on ws row. Row 1 is:knit 3, pearl to end. Turn, row 2 is: Pearl 3 knit 1, slip 1 rep from* for x number of rows, 40 total rows in my sock. She calls it a 3 garter border. She likes doing it this way because she says, "The advantage is: that when slipping the edge stitch and working it immediately following. It Leaves less opportunity for that stitch to loosen. If its a little loose you can tighten up when working the first 2 stitches of the heel flap."
The saga continues…
Weird! :??
I’m curious to see what this sock looks like when knit!
Oh I can’t wait either. When I am finished I am going to take a photo. So far the leg is beautiful, and it FITS my leg. But the foot still awaits. I have wanted to knit socks for 11 years. I’ve knitted all kinds of items, but NEVER anything to wear. But this forum and web has motivated me to face my demons about gauge and anything else “scary” about knitting socks. I am just going to forge forward, trust my logic and knit the last stitch instead of unknit the pearl. I so appreciate everyone “holding my hand”, while I fight my fear of failure, too big or too small.
ok, I admit I am a lazy knitter. If instructions do not seem to make any difference in the finished product - I skip it or simplify it. I would be inclined to do the same with this pattern. (of course my methods may bite me back on day!)
I do the same thing, Quirky! I look at other patterns and make adjustments as necessary…so far that’s worked, but as you say, it may not always 
Heidi Jean, you have the right attitude. Plug away! What’s the worst that can happen? You’ll just have to re-knit the heel and foot. Not fun, certainly, but not the end of the world, either. And, as Ingrid says, “trust the pattern.” It may turn out lovely!!
Thank you so for the encouragement. I went forward and the heel flap looks great. It looks just like the picture. I am so excited. The idea of the flap didn’t bother me, it was that term, “unknit”, the pearl. I wonder if the author figured the knitter might forget to knit the last stitch of the round instead of pearl, after doing several inches of knit 2, pearl 2. Just 25 more to go on flap, heel turn, then I am going for the gusset!!! YIKES!
I thought I was the only one who thought the “unknit the last purl stitch” sounded goofy. Maybe it’s just so you will complete the pattern, then recenter it over the instep. To me, it’s more confusing to do it this way.
It is a bizarre pattern, but I’m glad it looks good!!
The gusset isn’t hard at all; it only sounds intimidating 
If this is your first sock, watch Amy’s video in which she knits a wee sock. She shows how to do the gusset. Seeing it done helped me a lot!