Join the crazy sock knitting revolution and become an addict with these plain vanilla socks knit toe up, magic loop with an afterthought heel. An afterthought heel may be added to any sock pattern; toe-up or cuff-down, it does not matter as long as the sole of the sock is stockinette stitch. Pictured in this pattern are two separate pairs of socks, knit as tubes with the heels added after.

The greatest features of an afterthought heel are 1) should it become worn out, it can be frogged and another heel knit in, 2) it is totally separate from the rest of the sock and does not carry a colorway in the round, and 3) it allows the knitter to simply knit a tube sock, toe through cuff, and bind off before putting in the heel. For unique-looking socks with separate colors for the toes, heels and cuffs, this will not disappoint!

Two afterthought heel techniques are discussed in this pattern: 1) using waste yarn for indicating heel placement (easier), and 2) using a progress keeper for indicating heel placement.

Guidelines are given for measuring the foot for a pair of socks and also for creating a template of the foot (for each person you will be knitting socks for).