A BETTER SHORT ROW HEEL
for crocheted socks

I've found this method better for avoiding "holes" in the heels of crocheted socks.

Whether working from toe up or cuff down, when you get to where you want to start your sock heel, from a side point:
Decrease rows:
Row 1: sc in half the stitches around (example: if your sock has 50 stitches in a round, sc 25). DO NOT CH 1; turn.
Row 2: sc in the next st and every st across. You should end up with one less st than in previous row (example: if previous row had 25 sc, this row will have 24). DO NOT CH 1; turn.
Repeat row 2 until you have half the number of stitches in Row 1, if you started with an even number of sc; one less than half if you started with an odd number (example: if your Row 1 had 25 sc, continue to 12 sc). DO NOT CH 1 AT ENDS OF ROWS.
Increase rows:
Row 1: sc in the next st and every st across, then work 2 sc down the side of the previous 2 rows. You should end up with 1 more sc than in your last decrease row (example: if your last decrease row had 12 sc, this row will have 13 sc). DO NOT CH 1; turn.
Row 2: sc in the next st and every st across, then work 2 sc down the side of the previous 2 rows. You should end up with one more st than in previous row (example: if previous row had 13 sc, this row will have 14 sc).
Repeat row 2 until the heel is finished (see photo of finished heel in Step-by-step tutorial below).

Stash Aquisition Sources for the Limited Budget

1. Thrift Shops: To be a successful thrift shop shopper, you have to scour the shops regularly. Once a week is good. Ask the shop folks when they put out new stuff. Some shops restock daily, some have specific days. Best times to shop are almost universally on weekday mornings. Look for skeins and balls of yarn, and for hand knit and crocheted items you can ravel to re-purpose the yarn. You might be surprised how much you can get for a dollar or two!

2. Discount/Dollar Stores: Like thrifts, the merchandise in these stores is constantly changing, so it is a good idea to visit every week or two. When I've found yarn in places like Big Lots, Dollar Tree and Dollar General, it has been discontinued/overstock yarns, usually novelties and unpopular colors. But you never know when you might find something you love for a dollar or so, so it's worth a look.

3. Bartering: If you have something nice you don't need anymore, you can trade it for yarn. If you can provide a service someone wants, you can be paid for it in yarn or money. I have sewed curtains and painted walls for alpaca yarn. I have sold all kinds of odd things on eBay for yarn money.

4. Online Shops: Web surfing can be rewarding. Keep a "favorites" list of online shops that have bargain basement or closeout areas. Sign up for email newsletters to be notified of sales and specials. Also be on the lookout for free shipping offers. There are a number of eBay stores that, while selection is somewhat limited, prices are really quite good, and many offer free or cheap shipping.