In an effort to design the Perfect Sock, I’ve been branching when it comes to my usual methods. I’ve been trying different heels and different heel turns to insure the best fit for the largest number of people. In my quest, I think I have finally found it: it perfect heel turn (for me) for a cuff-down sock.

It’s called the French Heel (or the round heel, but French Heel sounds so much prettier, doesn’t it?) and it allows for a nice, even curve around my heel. It fits, quite literally, like a glove. The fit is divine, totally perfect. Needless to say, I’m in love.

It’s not quite as narrow as the heel I used on Maeby, and I’m half tempted to re-issue as new version of Maeby with this heel turn instead of the one I used there.

It’s not quite as impressive in the photo without my foot or the sock blocker to model it, but look at how lovely it is?

You’ll see the French Heel turn in my next set of patterns, which should be released by the end of March. Sister socks, Goneril and Reagan, knit from variations of the same stitch pattern. The pattern will include individual instructions for both Goneril and Reagan, including charts for 3 sizes each. That photo is of Goneril, by the way (taken in my shiny new light box!). Notice how I cleverly hid the stitch pattern form you? I’m such a fiend, I know.

Also coming soon are tutorials on different methods for knitting socks, namely customizing and turning heels. I’ll be photographing and writing some of the tutorials next week and staggering their publication over the next month or so.

Are there any topics (preferably related to sock knitting) that you would like to see covered? I’ll typically include step-by-step photos with lovely annotations, notes, and thoughts, as well as links to other similar tutorials or more advanced sources. It’s my aim to be simple, concise, and educational. I won’t bog you down with tons of math (unless it’s necessary) and I’ll use normal people words, not just advance knit-ease.

Tentative topics include:

• Resizing heels for a custom fit
• Various heel turns for cuff-down socks
• Modifying simple stitch patterns for custom fit
• Tips for cleaner heels on cuff-down socks
• Various toe decreases for cuff-down socks

Odds are, I won’t be able to photograph and write all of those next week, so I’ll most likely be issuing the tutorials in “series”, with 3 or 4 parts to each set.