In response to readers asking for a toe-up sock that looks like a “normal” top-down sock, I experimented with heel flap methods described by Chrissy Gardiner (Toe-Up! Patterns and Worksheets to Whip Your Sock Knitting into Shape), Wendy Johnson (Socks from the Toe Up), and Melissa Morgan-Oakes (Toe-Up Two-at-a-Time Socks). The method I eventually chose is a modification of Wendy Johnson’s technique in which stitches are increased to shape the heel cup. This type of sock features a wedge toe and round heel, which are typical of socks knitted from the top down. But, unlike those worked from the top down, there are no gusset stitches to pick up or Kitchener stitch to work at the tip of the toe!
The upper leg is worked using a one-size larger needle which increases the circumference slightly to accommodate the calf muscle. The instructions for all sizes and gauges use a multiple of 4 stitches, making it easy to substitute any 4-stitch pattern of your choice. Depending on the number of stitches for a particular size and gauge, many other stitch multiples are also possible

The instructions here range from a child’s medium to an adult large in gauges from 4.5 stitches/inch to 10 stitches/inch.
Sample socks shown have an 8” foot circumference.