Since so many of you have been admiring my Shorty Heel Tab Socks that I make on my circular sock machine, I wanted to be sure you could make them as well! I truly love these socks and would wear them exclusively if I had enough pairs!

It is a handknit pattern that I adapted to be identical to the method that I use to make them on the sock machine. It took some reverse engineering, and we did it!

The sock begins with a folded over cuff that includes a short row heel tab, and instructions for making a short row heel & toe are also a part of the sock as I wanted to translate as literally as I could the method of making these socks on my machine. It finishes by using the kitchener stitch to graft the top of the sock together where the instep meets in the toe.

Of course you’re welcome to make whichever heel & toe you prefer, using this pattern as a guideline for specifications.

Finished Circumference: (6 ¼, 6 ¾, 7 ½)” / (16, 17, 19.5) cm foot circumference; intended to be worn with 1½” / 4 cm negative ease. Adjustable foot length.

Yarn: Sock yarn 415 yards / 380 meters per 100 g

Yardage: 1 skein (all sizes)

Gauge: 38 stitches and 48 rounds = 4” / 10 cm in stockinette stitch

Needles: US 0 / 2.0 mm circular needle (32” / 80 cm for magic looping) or preferred needle length for small diameter knitting; adjust needle size to match listed gauge.

Notions: 2 unique stitch markers for BOR and side, removable stitch marker to measure foot length, darning needle for grafting & weaving in ends, scrap yarn for provisional cast-on (optional).

Techniques: Flat and circular knitting, short rows using the German Short Row method, Kitchener stitch.

Pattern Notes: Sock is cast on at the lower edge of the cuff, which is then worked with short-row shaping to create a heel tab before folding the cuff & joining live stitches to the cast-on edge to create a fold-over hem. Short-row shaping is also used for the heel and toe.