At first glance, the boomerang heel is the most difficult element of a knitted sock, but it is not. It is very simple to execute it, it is enough to master the technique of "rotary" knitting. The name of the heel speaks for itself, first the loops are subtracted and then added.
The "boomerang" heel differs from the "straight" shape and knitting technique. It got its name precisely because of the knitting method. It looks like the heel of a factory sock, but is a little more difficult to make than a straight one.
Not every pattern is suitable for this heel, most often it is done with regular hosiery and purl loops. Double-sided patterns and all kinds of elastic bands are not suitable for a "boomerang".
Transfer 1⁄2 of the total amount of the upper part of the sock to one needle, divide them into three parts (center and two sides). If there are extra loops, then distribute them to the side parts. If one extra loop remains, then distribute it to the central part of the sock.
The heel consists of two parts and a dividing strip, the first is knitted in shortened rows. The last loop of each row is transferred to the right knitting needle without knitting, so that there are no holes, they are wrapped around the loop with a working thread. The number of stitches on the needle gradually decreases.
In the last row, only the loops of the central part of the sock are knitted, the first part of the "boomerang" resembles a triangle.
The dividing strip consists of purl loops, it is necessary to knit 2-3 rows. First, the loops of one side part are knitted, then the central part and only after that the last part of the heel. That is, they knit all the loops on the knitting needles with the purl. The dividing strip consists of an even number of rows (most often two, its width depends on the size of the socks). In the process of knitting, the thread is not cut, so the dividing strip cannot consist of an odd number of rows (the working thread in this case will be far from the central part of the heel and you will get a large broach). The only exception can be a two-color heel (if the first part is made in one color, and the second in another).
The second part of the heel consists of elongated rows, that is, in each row it is necessary to knit one more loop than in the previous one. Knit the loops of the central part of the sock and one loop of the side part, turn the knitting and again knit all the loops of the central part of the heel, then one loop of the side part.
The number of loops in each row increases, the second part of the heel is formed. In the last row, the number of loops should be equal to the original. For example, 26 loops were set aside for the heel, which means there should be 26 loops in the last row of the heel.
Socks with a boomerang heel are knitted according to the general rule, so after the heel it is necessary to perform a wedge. In this type of heel, the side walls of the lower part are shorter than in the "straight" one, therefore the loops for the wedge are picked up at the edges of the dividing strip and reduced during the knitting process. If the wedge of the sock is not tied, it will be too narrow and will tighten the leg in the ankle joint.
