Book Review: Why You Need Another Sock Book

Consider this an addendum to my preview last month - now that I've had more time to absorb Clara Parkes' latest effort, I have much more to say on the subject!

I still maintain that no matter how many sock books you have on your shelf (I clock in at about 13), you need to buy The Knitter's Book of Socks, too. First off - awesome patterns. There are several socks I'll be making out of this book - and at this point of my sock-making life, I feel as though that's saying something. As I mentioned before, I've picked up many of the new sock books, flipped through them, and determined I could live without them on my shelf (no, I'm not naming names!). The patterns were fine, but nothing earth-shattering - I felt as though I could approximate them via the many other titles in my collection. The layouts were, on the whole, well-done, but graphic design is not enough. The Knitter's Book of Socks surpasses its contemporaries in one important area: the "informational section" at the front of the book.

You know what I'm talking about - it's that section that publishers always feel the need to include, and most 'experienced' knitters flip through. Typically, it's a version of Knitting 101, which is probably better left to a Knitting 101 book, but that's just my own personal opinion.

Kensington Socks by Nancy Bush
Photo © Alexandra Grablewski

Definitely make a point to read the front of this book, because it will completely revolutionize the way you think about sock yarn and sock knitting! As I read each section, I found myself nodding along or having a recollection of a pair of socks I'd previously knit, blissfully unaware of how such things as fiber content and stitch pattern would directly affect the end product - be it in terms of abrasion, moisture management, or just plain fit. It's true, I simply relied on trial and error...and wondered why I had so much 'error'!

This informed approach to choosing your yarn to suit the pattern and vice versa is akin to how you would decide to choose an appliance or car: you wouldn't just choose the color you liked and leave the rest to chance, would you? If you're going to invest your valuable time and money, wouldn't you prefer to get the best end-product possible? With Parkes' thoughtful instruction, that's more than possible. It's guaranteed!

P.S. I was also won over by Clara's appearance on the Yarn Thing Podcast! Click here to listen to the archived episode.

Comments

Overdyeing A Finished Knit

Even after just a few years of knitting or crocheting, you're bound to have some finished projects lying around that never get worn or used. After 10+ years of crafting, I have more than just "some" or "a few"....and with my ongoing quest to declutter my house this year, I've become obsessed with going through these forlorn projects and making some Big Decisions. Sometimes, they are perfectly fine and just need a new and loving home. Other projects may have not turned out quite right: there might have been some mistakes in the knitting that I thought I could live with, or the yarn was gorgeous but not well-matched to the pattern, or my taste has drastically changed since I finished making the project...in any case, why on earth did I keep knitting?! Who knows, but I don't feel good about gifting anything that falls into this category to someone else. These projects have been relegated to the "frog pile" (or should I say, frog pond?), to b

Easy DIY: Beaded Vintage Snowflake Ornament Kits from Solid Oak Inc.

I was really excited to step outside of my comfort zone and try something new as part of my "Christmas in July" theme this month. The kind folks at Solid Oak Inc offered me a chance to review one of their Nostalgic Christmas beaded crystal ornament kits I couldn't resist. My tree is already full of ornaments I've inherited or been gifted from other family members and friends, so these pretty crystal beaded ornaments will fit right in I think! I was super impressed with this compact little kit , which includes everything needed to create three gorgeous vintage-style ornaments - just add a pair of round nose pliers (I found mine on Amazon for less than ten bucks). The instructions had some fabulous tips for newbies like me; for example, it recommended sorting the beads and laying them out in order on a towel or beading mat to prevent them from rolling away. That may seem obvious, but I was totally ready to start beading on my kitchen table without a

What If I Didn't Add Heels?

Last weekend, I finished the first sock with my Waterlilies yarn , and just for yuks, I tried it on even though it was basically just a tube sock. Much to my surprise, it fit really well, even without a heel. Who knew? So, that got me thinking: what if I just didn't add the heels? I never thought a tube sock would actually fit nicely, but I genuinely like the fit, so...why spend time to add the heels? As the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.... Let's say I decide not to add heels once the second sock is done - there will still be placeholder yarn for the afterthought heels, as you can see above, so should I leave it in and just weave in the ends? Or should I remove it, put the live stitches back on needles and at least graft them together using more of the Waterlilies yarn? I plan on mulling all of this over as I knit the second sock, and I'd love to hear your opinions of what you think would look best (or if you think this whole "n

handmade by stefanie

Search This Blog