Here's a little knitting secret that I would like to share. Once you learn how to knit socks using a short row method, you will likely never make heel flaps or afterthought heels again. They look much neater than heel flaps and there is no need to go back and insert the heel after the rest of the sock is made as in afterthought heels.
At first, the idea of short rows seems a little mysterious, but in my opinion they are easier and actually speed up the sock knitting process.
Even though one marker/pin remains on either side of the heel, we are going to begin working in rounds from this point so I slipped my held stitches back onto a dpn.

To finish up this series of short row heel tutorials, in my next post I'll teach you the Shadow Wrapped Method.
At first, the idea of short rows seems a little mysterious, but in my opinion they are easier and actually speed up the sock knitting process.
Five Common Short Row Techniques
The Japanese or Pinned Method
Besides yarn and knitting needles, you will need one additional item for this method, removable stitch markers or pins. In a pinch, you can also use safety pins or even paper clips.
Repeat Row 3-4 for the required length.
Even though one marker/pin remains on either side of the heel, we are going to begin working in rounds from this point so I slipped my held stitches back onto a dpn.

To finish up this series of short row heel tutorials, in my next post I'll teach you the Shadow Wrapped Method.