Operation Sock Drawer: The Guide to Building Your Stash of Hand-Knit Socks

by Knitmore Girls

Inspired by the gorgeous sock drawers of Susan B. Anderson, Jasmin and Gigi of The Knitmore Girls podcast started the hashtag #operationsockdrawer in an effort to knit a collection of socks just as photo worthy. Tens of thousands of knitters have since joined the campaign to knit more pretty socks and the hashtag has grown to more than 200k tags on social media.

Think of Operation Sock Drawer as your sock knitting survival guide. In it you’ll find:

• 20 original designer sock patterns–more than enough to fill your first drawer.
• Great how-ton information on knitting a variety of toe shapes, heel styles, options for comfortable ankles, and more!
• Darn it! Don’t toss old socks, repair them with simple darning techniques.
• Bonus information on knitting socks two at a time, how to make great yarn to pattern matches, and how to overcome second sock syndrome.
Grab your needles and a skein of yarn, and then join The Knitmore Girls on their mission to expand sock collections around the globe.

Genres: Knitting, Crafts, Nonfiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published October 20, 2020

Reviews

[Linda]

DNF--this is probably a very cool book but every pair of socks is textured in some way & for someone who hates seams on her socks I don't think I could wear any of these.
I may come back to it in the future but right now I'm looking for patterns that I can knit for ME & none of these pass the sensory test.
I'm not giving it any rating as that wouldn't be fair. The socks in it sure were pretty but I need plain smooth socks for my first pair & these were cables & laces & other lovely textures!

[Alena · Rating 2 out of 5]

I‘m not getting the love this book is getting. Bookmarked a couple of socks, we‘ll see.

Not really anything specific. Just not a fan of really big charts and, in the last section, the use of drawings of hands, knitting and needles and arrows to indicate what‘s going on. I didn’t understand these drawings 20 years ago and I‘m not any closer now. I‘m so glad to have rediscovered knitting in the age of videos for illustration. That’s something I actually understand.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The library wants its book back, so i didn’t have time to actually knit any of the patterns. They seem to be cared written and well photographed. Two special mentions: directions for knitting 2 socks at the same time, with one inside the other (as famously described in “War and Peace”) and a colorwork pattern with rows of socks marching around the leg. Very cute!

[Katie Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much. I will someday knit all of the socks. I don't have all of the skills to make the double knit pair yet but someday. The photography is great and the mix of patterns is wonderful. This is a must have for any sock knitter or potential sock knitter's library.

[Christi Benney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love this creative endeavor. Jasmin and Gigi curated and amazing collection of hand knit sock patterns. I am over the moon about all the incredible patterns and can’t wait to knit my way through it!!

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as there are too many great books to read in a lifetime, I take comfort in knowing there are too many cool sock patterns/colorways to ever run out. There are some interesting ideas and techniques in this book I can’t wait to try out.

[Jurene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for nostalgia's sake. I binge listened to this podcast for years before I had kids. I love how the book is a collaboration between listeners and not just a publication of their own patterns. Nothing in here piques my creative interest however, so I will pass onto the next book!

[Carly Really Very Normal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun patterns and I enjoyed that it didn't seem aimed at a particular demographic. Accessible for any level of sock knitter.

[Marneymustard]

This is a sock-a-holic’s library requirement!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

a knitting book that I would love to own.
with a range of socks in different styles and levels of difficulty - I would do almost every pattern in the book.

[Tam G · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this to be equitable to Laine's 52 Socks in 52 Weeks. I think I even liked this one better.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice variety of patterns but very limited sizing.

[Arlian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely *love* this book! Adorable socks patterns, plus it teaches multiple techniques. A wonderful addition to any bookshelf.

[Paddy Coan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I am excited to start two of the patterns.

[TSian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The e-book version of this is missing a great deal of material that I am assuming is in the paper version. It contains the intro, sock patterns, abbreviations and glossary. That's it. On one hand that was pretty disappointing as I was looking forward to reading the other sections mentioned in the descriptions. On the other hand the patterns look interesting and I'm looking forward to knitting them up.

[Ligaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a big drawer for socks and tights and it is already full but I thought I'd take a look at this book! Most of the sock patterns are textured or cabled, which I find uncomfortable. There's only one pattern that I was vaguely interested in. There were several different heel constructions that I'd eventually like to try, but likely with a different rest of the sock! Nice photography, plentiful charts at a good size to really see.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won’t lie- I was disappointed. I was hoping for more info about choosing-knitting and caring for socks- but that is very kuch secondary to a whole bunch of sock patterns I will probably never make. This is what happens when you buy a book online.