Spiral-knit socks or socks with a heel: which do you prefer?

Dear Community,
Do you prefer spiral-knit socks or socks with a heel? Which type of heel do you enjoy knitting the most?

For a long time, I only knitted spiral socks because I knit them toe-up—and both at once. Spiral socks have the advantage that the exact size doesn’t matter as much. For a larger foot, the leg is shorter; for a smaller foot, it’s longer. For kids, these socks can grow with them for quite a while. Spiral socks fit surprisingly well on the foot.
My niece once told me, when I gave her a pair of spiral socks, “My socks always twist around my foot anyway.” Now she doesn’t even notice it :).
Now that I’ve had more practice, I also knit socks with a heel.

I haven’t tried it yet, but I can’t imagine they’d fit well. Wouldn’t the fabric bunch up at the front over the foot—since there’s actually too much sock there?

No, not at all. It’s more that it stretches out on the heel side.

I only knit spiral socks when my husband needs a new pair—which, thank goodness, doesn’t happen often. He’s very happy with his “house socks.” 

 

I’ve been knitting socks with heels from the very beginning—I’ve never knitted spiral socks, because I, too, don’t like the feel of socks without heels on my feet. I constantly feel the need to adjust them.
However, I’d love to learn how to knit toe-up—but with a heel. 

I always knit with a heel, both toe-up and top-down. I hate spiral socks because they just don’t fit at all. They have absolutely nothing to do with the shape of the foot. 

I also like it when socks fit well, so for me, a heel is a must—whatever form it takes.
However... when it comes to babies and toddlers, I’m a big fan of spiral socks. I knitted some for my daughter when she was born, and she was able to wear them for easily half a year. Sure, they got shorter over time, but winter did eventually come to an end. 🤪

Spiral socks when I need something quick
mostly with a heel these days
👍😉

Can you recommend a toe-up pattern? I’d really appreciate it!
Warm regards, Kira 

Lately, I’ve been enjoying knitting regular socks using the toe-up method.

For socks using the double-face technique, I prefer spiral socks.

I had been knitting for a long time before I dared to try socks. I couldn’t make sense of any instructions for the heel...

Then I saw someone knitting spiral socks and gave it a try; to be honest, I don’t think they’re half bad. 

We’ve had a knitting group since 2012, and a colleague showed me how to knit the heel—and lo and behold, it’s not rocket science at all!!! Now I only knit socks with heels; they just last longer. 

My favorite is the boomerang heel, and I always knit toe-up. 

 

I totally agree with Schnuckelins.
Spiral socks don’t fit well.
So I think the “effort” of knitting a heel is well worth it. 

Hi everyone,
my favorite is the boomerang heel, which I knit in every possible size,
it is relatively quick to knit. The first heel I learned from my mother
was the standard heel with a heel flap, heel turn, picking up stitches along the sides and
decreasing again until the number of stitches per needle was reached. That went on until I
discovered a pattern that was called the “boomerang heel.” It took me a while until I understood the pattern
(the problem was the phrase “double stitch”), but at some point it clicked, and since then
I have only knitted the boomerang heel. My mother and I held a so-called knitting race
to see who would finish the heel faster, and since then she has only knitted the boomerang heel.
Best regards
Walburga