Sock heel question

I calculated the number of stitches for 10% negative ease (based on recommendations from Wendy, from Lucia, and from Autumn Breeze (podcast 20), ripped back the sock and recommenced the foot part -- and somehow while I was doing this it didn't occur to me that I was doing this for the sake of 4 lousy stitches. Ahem.

But it's a good thing, perhaps, that I had not realized that, becuase I am actually still glad I did it. Somehow that wee bit more than 1/2" of negative ease added (despite appearances, the former sock foot had a tiny bit of negative ease, a bit more than 1/4", or about 3%), makes the difference between a sloppy sock I was not going to be happy with, and one that I think I will be happy with. What's a bit of re-knitting when this is something we do for fun, right? And this is a learning experience, my "trial" sock, after all. Here is Sock the First, version 2:



Better, yes?

Now, a question for my loyal readers (both of you). The free sock pattern for this yarn provided by KnitPicks, which I have been using, has what sounds to me like a very weird after-thought heel. It's knit like a heel-sized hat. And a hat always has that little circle of stitches at the top, fine for a hat, but for a heel? I don't think so. Also, I just don't like the idea of an after-thought heel, because when I get to the cuff I will want to be done, darn it (no pun intended!). But it seems to me that the after-thought heel is used so as not to interrupt the lovely stripe pattern, and this seems to me to be a worthy goal.

So here's the question -- do you think that when I come to the heel, I can join another ball of the same yarn, knit the heel, and then when the heel is done, re-commence knitting with the original ball? Wouldn't that do the trick?

And do you have a favorite heel that I could work toe-up? If so, please do share it with me.