Knit Socks!: 17 Patterns for Cozy Feet

by Betsy McCarthy

Knitters love to make socks. Socks are practical and pretty, cozy and colorful. Sock projects are easily carried in a knitting bag, and the patterns are complex enough to be interesting but small enough to be quickly finished. Plus, socks are always fun to wear and great to give as gifts. Now Knit Socks , the little die-cut hardcover that sold more than 65,000 copies, is available in a paperback edition that includes two all-new sock patterns. But that's not all. Sock knitters will find much more in this revision to feed their sock addictions, such as helpful new advice on choosing sock yarns what feels the best, what holds its shape, what really lasts. And what is a knitter to do if a pattern looks interesting, but she wants to substitute a lighter yarn for the chunky, warm wool specified? A new chart provides alternative yarn weights and the corresponding number of stitches needed for each of the patterns and sizes. Knitters might also want to experiment with two circular needles. Or four double points. There's advice here for adapting any pattern to any type of needle. With all the variations and possibilities, Knit Socks goes far beyond its 17 patterns. Creative knitters will find an endless array of exciting options for keeping feet comfortable, warm, and beautiful.

Genres: Knitting, Nonfiction, Crafts, Reference

176 pages, Paperback

First published July 21, 2010

Reviews

[Arlian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure why I disliked this book so much. I honestly think it's just because I disliked the socks on the cover a lot. It's actually a totally acceptable "first book of sock knitting", if you just wanted to invest in one. None of the patterns were particularly interesting to me though, and there were a few I found really ugly (like the one on the cover). That's just a me-thing though, and the instructions and photos are totally solid!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has very thorough instructions for making socks. Many patterns have charts to help separate each step in the sock making process. Would be a great book for beginners who have no idea where to start. Most of the patterns are simple so I’m not sure how helpful it would be for an experienced sock knitter.

[Tonileg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yet another sock pattern knitting book to add to my growing collection. I love to knit socks because it is a small project that doesn't take much time or space in my small apartment. People love getting handmade socks, you can make a friend for life with a gift like that because no one has ever given a handmade sock since or ever in our modern times. So there are some cute patterns in this little book.
Most of the pocks are worth making and I really like how the author did all the work to modify the patterns to different sized yarn which is great if you're new to knitting and it teaches a beginner how to modify a pattern.

Starter stockinette - easy first project to intro sock knitting, 24sts on 10cm2 on 3.25mm st st
Checkered textures - simple multicolored pattern, 36 sts or 24 sts versions on 10cm2
Classy slip-up - simple ribbed pattern, 32sts or 28sts versions
Winter Garden (cover pattern) - stripes and fair-isle socks, 28 sts on 10cm2 on 2.5mm and 2.75mm
Little guys - Toddler socks with simple decor, single or double strand versions 32sts or 24 sts on 2.25mm and 3.25mm
Low-Roll Sporty - striped roll cuff socks, 24 sts on st st on 3.25mm needles
Yoga Moves - ugly multicolor socks, 24 sts on st st on 2.75mm or 3mm
Best Foot Forward - woman's large or men's sock with cable pattern, 28 sts or 24sts versions
You're got rhythm - mid-calf length patterned socks, 34 sts on st st on 2.25mm needles
Off the Cuff - simple ankle socks, 32 sts on 2.25mm on st st
Lacy Days - Child medium or woman's med or large, 30sts or 36 sts on st st on 2.25mm
Fireside Stripes - colorways striped thick socks, 18 sts on 4mmm on st st
Diamonds & Cables - thick woman small to men's med sized cabled socks, 28 sts on st st on 2.5mm
Straight-Laced - woman's med to men's sizes lace pattern socks, 24 sts or 28 sts versions on 3.25mm on st st and this works up great with Cascade 220 yarn and everyone has some of that in their yarn stash!
Peaks 'n' Valleys - scalloped pattern girly socks in stripes, 30 sts in st st on 2.25mm and 2.5mm needles
Simple Ribs - ribbed simple socks, 24 sts on st st on 3.25mm
Shadow Box - boxy pattern calf length socks, 18 sts or 24 sts versions on 3.75mm or 3.25mm
175 pages and bought on Amazon used $10.00
3 stars

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a shame the sock-shaped hardback is now out of print. It was my tutor when I decided to learn how to knit socks. Step-by-step, and row-by-row, Betsy walks you through the steps of making socks. Even if it's not shaped like a sock, this book is sure to demystify sock-making even for the novice.

[Haley Mathiot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice patterns, but nothing I haven't seen before. I like most of them, but again it's your average sock knitting book. I guess there's only so many socks under the sun? I really like fair isle and there were only a few fair isle and color combo socks. There was a lot of lace and I don't do lace. It really depends on what kind of socks you like.

[Altivo Overo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Long and detailed discussion of sock knitting, structures, and tools as an introduction is well done but perhaps off-putting to a beginner. The actual pasterns progress from a plain sock through complex structures, stitch patterns, and color work. A tour de force indeed, but probably for a limited audience I suspect.

[Beth Kakuma-Depew · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover pattern is the best. Otherwise this is a book for beginners with lots of written out instructions and very few charts. It does have a skinny alphabet to use to make up your own phrase or name to knit into a pattern.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

good clear instructions with nice pictures.

[Gen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, for me, was great for information, but not patterns. I only liked 1 or 2 socks within the book

[jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous and a must have for sock making patterns.

[HadiDee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gorgeous socks that I aspire to knit

[AJP_Bear · Rating 1 out of 5]

Please note this rating is for the Hoopla version! It is almost entirely images that my phone couldn’t enlarge, therefore were unreadable.