Heel Fork Weights

Heel Fork Weights are used when you are working on either the Heels or Toes of your socks. All 4 weights are used, along with your main weights.

When you are ready to setup for your heel, ensure you place your yarn in the Heel Spring first. Raise the back half of the cylinder needles to the out of work position. This will enable to sock machine to work in both directions.

Place the first fork in between where the needles are raised and the first lowered needles on the right side of the cylinder. Try and get the forks as close to the top of the cylinder. This area needs the most support or weight during the heel/toe process. If you are going to drop a stitch this is going to be the place.

Place the second fork on the opposite side of the cylinder in the same position where the up and down needles meet. This side may be a little harder to get the fork into position due to the ribber guide.

Place the third and forth forks in the front of the cylinder so they are evenly spaced. Again making sure the forks are placed as close to the top of the cylinder as you can get them.

All 4 forks should now be placed near the top of the cylinder, and where the needles are in working position.

Now start making your decrease heel rows, after going maybe 2 - 3 rows move the forks up again. Always keeping them near the top of the cylinder. This placement will keep the weight even on the sock.

When you are almost complete with you decrease rows you will find it will be harder to move all four forks. At this point it is OK to just keep the two center forks near the top of the cylinder.

Now start your increase rows, when doing the increases it is not necessary to move the forks as much. Keep a close watch on your stitches if you see the yarn riding up on the needles, go ahead and move the forks up to increase the weight.

When you have completed the heel, I leave the forks in, I don't keep moving them but they stay there to keep weight on the heel while I make the foot. When the foot is completed and you are ready to start on the toe. Move the forks and follow the same steps as above.

Directions from

Learning To Use Your Sock Knitting Machine e-Book

by Donna Peters