First afterthought and first top down socks. Still have my trainer wheels on though so using DK weight (AUS 8ply) yarn (magic stripe) and 44 stitches.

Calculations to decide 44 were based on gauge of 6 stitches; 6 x 7.5” (desired sock circumference) = 45 rounded to 44 (even number).

Calculations to decide wedge decrease pattern, and consequent height of toe and heel, were based on a row gauge of 8 rows/ inch for 12 rounds to give a 1.5” toe and 16 rounds for a 2” heel (see below).

I used 2 circular needles (16” & 24”) for the cuff (as well as for the heels/toes) but used my 9” hiyahiya sharps for the straight bits. I love these little needles!

cuff: I worked a tubular cast on with a 1x1 rib. Really stretchy and very cool how it wraps around the edge. (4 rounds double knit, 3 rounds rib = 7 rounds total) I used 3mm needles for the cuffs to match tension of stockingnette (I guess my double knit is sloppy…). Followed Suzanne Bryan’s wonderful clear tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daebO9c5qDo&index=14&....

leg: I like ankle socks, so I only worked 1.5” stockingnette for the leg with 3.75mm 9” needles to give total leg length of 2”.

foot: I decided against using waste yarn and so just worked a further 6” for the foot (9.5” minus 3.5” (1.5” for toe & 2” for heel)).

toe: I then worked the wedge toe, alternating decrease rounds with plain rounds 5 times then 2 further decrease rounds (12 rounds total) and used kitchener stitch to bind off remaining 16 stitches. I used another awesome tutorial from Suzanne Bryan on kitchener stitch without ears https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFHXnvfmoBE&t=111s&am....

heel: I picked up the 44 stitches for the heel 2” down from the top edge in the middle of a brown stripe. I used the 3mm circulars for pickup because it was easier then I switched to the 3.75mm ones when I started knitting. I followed a cat bordhi tutorial at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztbI4T373PU&feature=r... to cut yarn in centre of the row between those captured rows, unravelling only 18 stitches (i.e. not the last 2 stitches on each side - this prevents a gap/hole forming with no further work). Worked a treat!
I then worked 3 plain rounds before working alternating decrease rounds with plain rounds 6 times then a single additional decrease round (for a total of 16 rounds) and giving a 2” deep heel. Kitchener to close.