Toe up sock book recommendations

[Zoe]

Can anyone (who's actually done toe up socks) recommend a good book for this that will lead me through (very insecure when trying new things. I find that the toe up sock thing is scarybecause i know 2 cast ons - and none of them seem to be the ones they want for toe-up socks! I've done cuff down before, but would love suggestions.

[Jennifer]

Great question! I have knit many pairs of socks but I always do cuff-down. I'd love to try toe-up for something new. I haven't found anything great...although I haven't really looked. I know lots of knitters who do toe-up but when we're at knit-night (3-4 times a week), I'm always working on something else and totally forget to ask!

[Zoe]

I'm thinking if taking the toe-up class on Craftsy, but that would still require me to be at my computer to cast on - sometimes a book is just the most portable thing. I also need a LOT of visuals - the way I finally managed socks was to print out Silver's Sock Class online - she gives you picture by picture images, and that helped (because I didn't have many books and had no clue how to pick up a stitch). I wonder if Silver has something for toe up....

[Jennifer]

Hiya :) I've just joined up to this forum, but I thought I'd chip in my 2p on this one. I found that books and patterns for toe-up socks didn't help me much because I learn better by actually watching someone use the stitch/technique. Have you checked out YouTube for videos of the parts your stuck on? I have to admit, it's usually the last thing I think of because I'm just not that into YouTube, but it was really helpful for me in this case. :)

[Zoe]

I will look there Jennifer, thanks! I actually just did a cowl that had a moebius cast on and had to watch it on you tube. I wonder if I can find an entire sock tutorial on there? I know knitpicks has some videos too....

[Violinknitter]

I love Wendy D. Johnson's toe-up sock books and patterns. Also, KnitPicks has a basic two-at-a-time toe-up magic-loop sock pattern that I used to teach myself magic loop.

[Zoe]

Thanks! I've looked at Wendy Johnson's stuff, and i think that might be the book I purchase - seems a wee bit more attainable than stuff like Cookie A - which is great to look at, but not sure it would be fun for me to do.
And I'm not into magic loop - strictly love my dpns....

[Amanda]

Hi Zoe, I have only knitted a few socks and they are all toe up. I learned from watching YouTube clips, ravelry and I constantly refer to Melissa Morgan-Oakes' Toe-Up 2-at-a-Time Socks and Wendy D. Johnson's Socks from the Toe Up: Essential Techniques and Patterns from Wendy Knits. I also love Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off as demonstrated in Cat Bordhi-PERSONAL FOOTPRINTS. It's on YouTube, check it out :)

Enjoy & good luck!! I am planning to try cuff down this year so can swap notes then!

[Gini]

Hi Zoe,
I agree with Amanda (above). I learned two at a time from the Melissa Morgan-Oakes book then gave it to my mom who also used it for her first pair. Aside from that ravelry designer Michelle Hunter (knit purl hunter) has great videos and tutorials on her website. Good luck, Toe up is the best!

[Laura]

Zoe wrote: "Can anyone (who's actually done toe up socks) recommend a good book for this that will lead me through (very insecure when trying new things. I find that the toe up sock thing is scarybecause i kno..."

There is a Ravelry group for the Melissa Morgan-Oakes book Toe Up 2-at-a-time also !

[Toni]

Zoe wrote: "Can anyone (who's actually done toe up socks) recommend a good book for this that will lead me through (very insecure when trying new things. I find that the toe up sock thing is scarybecause i kno..."

I learned toe-up sock knitting from a free pattern from Elann.com. I think you might have to have a username to get access to the free patterns, but here is the address: http://www.elann.com/Commerce.web/Pro...

It's still probably my main sock pattern. I started with the plain sock, then started adding leg patterns as I felt more comfortable.

[Erin]

Violinknitter wrote: "I love Wendy D. Johnson's toe-up sock books and patterns. Also, KnitPicks has a basic two-at-a-time toe-up magic-loop sock pattern that I used to teach myself magic loop."

I love Wendy Johnson! Her books on toe up socks finally broke through the wall I was having with socks.

[Zoe]

So many good things! Does anyone know if the Melissas morgan Oakes book is relevant to someone who uses DPNs? I'm afraid my dpns won't be wrested out of my cold, dead hands. I'm also going to look at Heather Ordover's free sock books on Ravelry. She has a toe up AND a toe down.

Still blows my mind how generous the knitting world is - lots of free stuff.

[Violinknitter]

Zoe wrote: "So many good things! Does anyone know if the Melissas morgan Oakes book is relevant to someone who uses DPNs? I'm afraid my dpns won't be wrested out of my cold, dead hands. I'm also going to look ..." I've done sock patterns for 2 circs on DPNs. If you like Oakes' patterns, then go ahead & get the book. But there's a lot of information about knitting socks 2 at a time that you won't use.

[Jackie]

Wendy Johnson's book is the best IMHO.

[Peggy]

I don't find much different in converting from dpns to circular (magic loop) methods - just ignore the directions regarding how to distribute the stitches and do it the way you are used to. I knit a lot of dpn patterns on circulars just putting the heel stitches on one side and the rest on the other. (and vice versa if converting from circular to dpns.

[Patti]

Count me in as a Wendy Johnson groupie. I've used several of her toe-up patterns. Very clear to understand. Check your gauge, though. That's a huge thing when doing socks. I pretty much use either dpns or two circs. Not really a magic loop person. Good luck!

[Zoe]

I am actually loving it so much I may try her new book, Wendy Knits Lace.

[Karen]

I made my first few pairs of socks using the Crazy Toes & Heels book by Mary Ann Beattie. (Her website can be found by googling "Crazy Heels and Socks book.) it's written for 2 circs but I found it easy to do via Magic Loop (1 long circ). What I especially appreciated was the step by step directions with illustrations. This was very helpful for a first time sock knitter. Plus it's a recipe where you measure your own foot and make them to fit.

[Zoe]

I'll have to look into that Karen. I'm curious about a book called Big Foot Knits from Cooperative Press. It's for larger feet, yes, but has great instructions on how to customize fit!