The KnitObsessed: Toes up and short rows I can doo iiit!

The Heel
I will begin this section by saying that I had great difficulty understanding this part at first. Emily will tesify to this as she witnessed my mutterings and cursings. Maybe I'm exeptionally daft, or just need very, very, very specific instructions. BUT, once I got through it a few times albeit with some minor frogging involved it started to come together. In retrospect the technique makes perfect sense--in a structural way--that the wrapped yarns will eventually pull the heel together. Even more exciting was the magical way that this little cup began to form under my fingers and before my eyes. That's when I realized, this little cup will cradle my little heel! By the way, eating plenty of peanut M&Ms for motivation and chanting "I will learn how to short row" also helps. Oh, and another note, when it says turn, just turn, there will be stitches left on the left needle but turn anyway, just do it, don't think about them. I think that was also my problem, I thought too much about those stitches hanging around. Just let them hang out until the 2nd half of the heel.

First part of the heel

On Needle 1, K to before the last stitch, bring the yarn infront, then slip the last stitch from the leftneedle to the right needle. TURN.

Facing the purl side on needle 1, with the working yarn in back, slip the first stitch from the left needle to the right needle (just move it over, don't do anything to it) (this stitch will be wrapped). Then purl the next stitch and purl across to before the last stitch on the needle. Move the yarn in back and slip the last stitch from the left needle to the right needle. TURN

*Facing the Knit side, with yarn in back, slip the first stitch off the left needle to the right (which is now going to be wrapped) then knit to before the last unwrapped stitch move the yarn to back, slip the last unwrapped stitch from left to right. TURN.

This part is pretty much the same as the previous step except it's a purl side. So, facing the purl side, with wrapped stitches on the right needle and unwrapped on the left, slip the first unwrapped stitch from left to right and purl across to before the last unwrapped stitch. Move the yarn from front to back, slip the last unwrapped stitch from left to right. TURN.*

Example of short row progress.

Continue from * to * until there are 7 wrapped stitches 10 live/unwrapped stitches and 7 wrapped stitches. (Stitches were divided between 3 needles to illustrate difference between wrapped and unwrapped stitches). Note that the wrapped stitches look like they're being "choked" compared to the live stitches.

Second part of heel

Beginning on a knit side, knit across to before the first wrapped stitch. Pick up the wrapped yarn around the first stitch. With the wrapped yarn picked up, insert the needle into the stitch that is wrapped and knit both wrap and stitch together. Move the yarn in back, slip the next wrapped stitch from left to right and TURN (this is double-wrapping)

On the purl side, with yarn in front, slip the first stitch from left to right and purl to before the last wrapped stitch. Pick up the wrapped stitch and purl it together with the stitch its wrapped around, wrap next stitch (which will now be double wrapped) and TURN.

Slip the first stitch and knit to before the first wrapped stitch. (The wraps that will be picked up from here on are double wraps. So you'll have 3 loops to knit together). Pick up both wraps and knit together with the stitch they're wrapped around. Wrap next stitch (bring the yarn in back and slip the first wrapped stitch from left to right). TURN. Continue knitting or purling across, picking up double wraps and wrapping until all wrapped stitches are no longer wrapped.

Once all wrapped stitches are picked up and they are "live" again, The Heel is Done! Pause, do a little dance because your heel has a home! Yay, yay, yay!