The Knitter's Book of Socks: The Yarn Lover's Ultimate Guide to Creating Socks That Fit Well, Feel Great, and Last a Lifetime by Clara Parkes

The Knitter's Book of Socks: The Yarn Lover's Ultimate Guide to Creating Socks That Fit Well, Feel Great, and Last a Lifetime Reviews

• 
  Nostalgia Reader

  Mainly just a book of patterns, but the info about fiber type and plies and how it affects socks (and knit fabric overall) was helpful... some things to keep in mind when picking out sock yarns! However, a lot of it was stuff that I have learned from trial and error in knitting socks, so depending on your sock knitting experience, you may get more or less out of the book.
  
  As with the other two "Knitter's Books" the photography was not great--many of these socks had lace and some intricate cables, but the "closeups" are just unfocused and obscure the stitch pattern more :/ However! There are patterns for a wide range of experience levels, from basic socks to cables and lace to double knit, sideways, and linen-stitch & slip stitch soles. I particularly want to give the Cape Spear double knit socks and the Annapurna socks, with their slip-stitched soles, a try. The Isabella d'Este socks are also lovely. Each pattern details why the yarn chosen works to highlight certain characteristics or intended wearing purposes.
• 
  Janelle

  I am a big fan of Clara Parkes - The Knitter's Review, her books, her classes. I was fortunate enough to take her classes at Sock Summits 2009 and 2011, and this book is both a summary and extension of everything she presented there. It is wonderful to have it all together in one place, and in such an attractive place, too! As usual, Potter Craft did a beautiful job on the book design and photography. I have been known to pet this book gently as I pass by it in a room. It's not going on the shelf anytime soon - it's staying on the coffee table, the nightstand, etc.
  
  The first quarter of the book is like a textbook for mastering knowledge about sock yarn. Clara reviews the performance requirements of sock yarn (which differ from yarn for other garments). She goes into detail about the molecular structure of different fibers sometimes used in sock yarn, and takes care to highlight the strengths and drawbacks of each. This is especially useful if you want to spin your own sock yarn. She talks about twist and plies - again, helpful if you're creating your own yarn, but also informative for consumers of commercial sock yarn. You'll find yourself untwisting a bit of yarn in the store to learn how many plies it has before deciding whether to buy! And finally, Clara outlines how the stitches used in socks affect the ultimate performance of the sock. When should you use ribbing? When cables? When lace? How should these be combined for best effect? How can you make your socks fit perfectly? Clara's tips empower knitters to design their own sock patterns or to modify existing patterns for the better.
  
  And that's just the first 25% of the book! Ahead lie the patterns - 20 delicious, tempting patterns that you will not be able to resist. Clara designed one herself (Stepping-Stones) and it is perfect for a new sock knitter (or an experienced knitter who wants a darn fine sock that is simple enough to knit in public). The Stepping-Stones pattern appeared in some promotional materials over the summer, so some knitters have already posted finished socks in Ravelry. The other 19 patterns are designed by the Sock Celebs - people like Cat Bordhi, Cookie A, Anne Hanson, Nancy Bush, Lucy Neatby, Ann Budd... the list goes on. What a treat to have such a fine collection between two covers.
  
  And the patterns! How many of these do I want to make! Let me tell you about a few of my favorites:
  
  Stepping-Stones. Yes, I'm one of those crazy Sock Summiteers that got the pattern in Portland and cast on right away. This is a rib variation pattern that is fairly simple but looks fantastic. Perfect for women or men. I'll knit this again (and this time, I'll try the extra cushy heel, which I skipped because I got to the heel flap during a meeting at work).
  
  Darjeeling. This Cat Bordhi pattern has an unusual architecture (Cat's hallmark). I can't wait to try putting the arch expansion on the sole. The toe decreases are different, too - but very attractive.
  
  Hickory. This Jane Cochran pattern looks like undulating bark on a tree, gorgeous in its subtlety. I'll knit this in a semi-solid - and soon.
  
  Elm. Another tree pattern, this one from Cookie A. Elm features wide but flat faux cables which should fit wonderfully. The branching movement really makes these socks come alive.
  
  Salted Caramels. Stephen Houghton has designed a super handsome cabled sock that would look great on a man or a woman. This one is knit from Trekking Pro Natura, a yarn I've knit with before and loved. I'll definitely make this sock.
  
  The photographs in this book are just what I want - clear, beautifully styled, and plenty of them shot from different angles. Most of the socks appear to fit exceptionally well (the exceptions are the Neatby and Morgan Oakes designs, which have shorter cuffs that appear to sag around the ankle).
  
  Are you getting the sense that I love this book? It's my ideal knitting book! I predict that Clara's latest contribution will have the staying power of Interweave's Favorite Socks, which has proved to be one of the most popular pattern books of all time. It's that good.
  
  Thank you, Clara! I can't wait to see what you come up with next.
• 
  Katja

  My god this is incredible. I stayed up an hour past my bedtime reading this. An incredibly useful look at how yarn affects knitted socks and how to understand that and choose the right yarn. So much science about yarn that I learned. Also some great patterns.
• 
  Bonny

  This is the season for multiple "Best Books of 2011" lists, and The Knitter's Book of Socks should definitely be on those lists. The only people that don't take socks for granted are Clara Parkes and sock knitters. Parkes helps sock knitters to understand sock engineering - elasticity, strength, and moisture management, and then provides wonderfully detailed information about stitches, pattern, yarn fiber, twist, and ply to knit the perfect socks for the wearer. I have had to reevaluate some of the sock yarn in my stash that I purchased prior to reading this book because it was beautifully dyed or amazingly soft, but now I know that some of that yarn would be more suitable for items other than socks. Thanks to this book, I'll be be able to knit better socks that last longer, and get to buy more suitable sock yarn! The 20 patterns in the book are lovely, and the well-researched information packed into this wonderful book make it a valuable resource that I will refer to again and again. I am definitely taking this book along when I pack for the proverbial desert island.
  
  Thanks to my sister for this terrific book, and we'll have to pick out yarn and a pattern for your birthday socks that fit well, feel great, and last a lifetime!
• 
  Medlibrarian

  I don't usually add knitting books here as they tend to be composed mostly of patterns, but I'm making an exception for this one. Clara Parkes has written three books that I think are must reads for the dedicated knitter: The Knitter's Book of Yarns; The Knitter's Book of Wool, and now this one). Although there are a lot of fantastic patterns in here, there is also fantastic information about wool and fibers, fiber choice for socks, sock construction, etc. I got this at the library, but it's going on my Amazon wishlist. If you knit socks, you need this book
• 
  Cherylann

  This book is a must have for sock knitters. I bought the book because it's by Clara Parkes, and if I wanted something explained, I want it explained by Clara Parkes. She does an amazing job explaining fiber, elasticity, wear, ply, stitch patterns, construction - pretty much anything you want to know to make a pair of socks that will not only look beautiful but also feel comfortable and last. There's an added bonus to this book: the designers of the sock patterns in chapter 5 reads like a who's who of the sock world. What a great book!
• 
  Melissa

  Excellent refernce, interesting patterns in the back. Perhaps would have liked a list of sock yarns broken out by ply, spin, etc. As I'm not a spinner that was hard to picture in my head from her descriptions.
• 
  Claire

  This book is packed with a wealth of sock-knitting knowledge. Clara is a talented writer, and her explanations are detailed and fun to read. It's not the first time I've checked it out from my library, but I've yet to make any of the patterns. Lots of nifty tricks and information in the first half of the book. Sadly, as other reviews have pointed out, the pattern photos aren't quite clear. The close-up shots are not entirely in focus, which is disappointing when you want to see the stitches and qualities of that particular yarn/pattern combo. Nevertheless, it won't stop me from eventually trying out one (or more!) of these patterns.
• 
  Emmalee

  This is a great look at yarns and fiber as they related to socks. With all the wear and tear that socks take, the fibers used makes a difference. There are also some sock patterns in this book.
  
  
• 
  Kazen

  I learned a lot about the fundamental make up of yarn, namely how ply, twist, and crimp can work for you or against you in a sock yarn. I was impressed how even handed the discussion of technique was, acknowledging differing opinions in the knitting world. Most people think 1x1 is the stretchiest rib, but Elizabeth Zimmerman thought it was 2x2. Twisted stitches can be good for tightening up a pattern, but so-and-so points out the yarn may wear out faster... and so on.
  
  The patterns are from designers you know and love, including Cat Bordhi, Anne Hanson, Cookie A, Jared Flood, and Nancy Bush, with a few newer faces as well. I read an ebook from the library so I can't vouch for the charts or technical editing but I appreciated that several closeup shots were included with every pattern. Many of these socks would do better with a solid or semi-solid yarn but there's something for everyone, from two pairs of "indestructible" socks to lace to cables to colorwork.
  
  The writing style is refreshingly human, the information is interesting and informative, and I could see myself knitting several of the patterns. However, I cannot see myself buying a copy for my own shelf... maybe if the information was a little more in depth, or maybe if a few more of the patterns called to me.
• 
  Jennifer

  I'm not an expert knitter but this book called to me from the shelf. Wouldn't it be nice to have a good pair of socks that I knit all by myself? I have recently learned to knit in the round, so my confidence level was slightly up when I began this book. While I might need to practice some techniques, I think I can find a pattern or two that I can make for myself that wouldn't be too terribly hard.
  
  Socks are an intimidating thing to knit, even if they're simply a garment piece that you shove in your shoe. You first have to know how to knit in the round, how to purl, then pick a good yarn that will do what you want, stitchwise and colorwise.
  
  I don't own this book yet (checked it out from my local library), but I can see adding it to my personal collection in the future. The instructions were very well written and the guidelines were very helpful if you've never picked out sock yarn before and don't know what you're getting yourself into.
• 
  Jackie Fowler

  Following The Knitter's Book of Yarn, this book keeps the focus on yarn and looks specifically at sock design and techniques that make the best use of yarn. It delves into the physical aspects of yarn so that you can match the best yarn to a pattern. All the patterns contained within the book are learning patterns in the sense that the yarn chosen for each pattern is chosen for specific reasons.
  
  Very nice Kindle format! I appreciated all the extended e-book content via hyperlinks.
• 
  Ashley

  I loved how this book was set up. The first half of the book is like a science class for knitters. All of the "why's" were answered. Which heels work best for a sock? Why does wool make such a big difference? And most importantly, here are a bunch of sock patterns for sock that you could actually wear! I love how she breaks everything down to a science. What the percentages of ingredients in your yarn, how they are spun, and why as pertaining to sock knitting. Well done Clara Parkes!
• 
  Sue

  There is more to knitting socks than meets the eye. Have you thought about how the type of yarn, the twist of the yarn and the ply affect t the finished sock. Or how different stitches affect stretchiness, comfort and durability of the sock.
  All questions answered in this highly informative book. A must-read for sock knitters.
• 
  Julie

  Simply wonderful! Everything you need to know about sock yarn, sock construction, and it has the added bonus of some great patterns. This book is even more special for me because I was in Clara Parkes' Sock Summit 2009 class, "Finding Sock Yarn Happiness", that was the beginning of the idea for this book.
• 
  Karen

  If you knit socks, or love yarn, you need this book. The "science" of yarn is explained clearly in the beginning of the book, followed by gorgeous knitting patterns. After reading the opening pages, one will have a better understanding of why certain yarns and fibers are better choices for socks. The third in Parkes' series, this book is a must for the fiber enthusiast!
• 
  Lil' Grogan

  Maybe if all 3 of her books were put together, it would be a reference book I would buy. Still have the same problem as with her other books, there's some information, but not quite enough to answer my questions. Patterns were interesting and discussion of fibre choices too. Found it interesting the lack of different sizing offered in some of the designs.
• 
  Sarah

  I certainly have a better grasp on choosing the right yarn for socks/patterns. Great explanations on how ply, twist and fiber content affect how your knitting wears as well as tips and tricks on which stitches can give your more (or less) elasticity in your socks. Very informative without being dull and overwhelming. I love the patterns included, I can't wait to try them!
• 
  Amanda

  As soon as I read this book I knew I wanted to make every one of these socks in the suggested yarn and in the order they appear in the book. Can you imagine how much you would learn about types of yarn and the different properties they lend to socks? It would make me a sock knitting expert. First I have to finish knitting the stash I have.
• 
  Two Readers in Love

  This book teaches you how to make design choices about hand-knit socks from the fiber up, and then reinforces those lessons with a great, well-photographed selection of patterns.
  
  I appreciate design books that tell you not just the "what" but the "why." This author explains the reason behind her choices in a clear, engaging manner.
• 
  Deb

  A good book to add to my library of sock knitting volumes. Some good information about how different types of yarn, with various levels of twist, different "ingredients," and variegation, affect our sock knitting pattern choices.
  Some lovely patterns too; I've marked at least five that I'd be happy to knit!
• 
  Kirstin

  Gorgeous patterns and really interesting explanations, but there wasn't really any information on resizing the patterns and many only came in one size. I will need to use another source to figure out how to make the socks fit me, which is disappointing.
• 
  Anna

  There is so much good information about everything that goes into making a humble pair of socks in this book. I've always been scared to try to knit them, but I feel much more confident after reading this. There are also lovely patterns and beautiful photos, what more could you ask for.
• 
  Desiree

  This is a must have for anyone who may want to knit socks, or already does. Fantastic info regarding the kinds of yarn and what patterns they are best for. And then, there are the patterns. I want to make them all! (I actually CO one today!)
• 
  Laura

  This is part chemistry & physics & the other part creative jucies flowing. WOnderful, clear explaination of yarn & how to chose not just for socks, but for all knitting projects. Purpose: to free the creator up to work in all different mediums & make a beautiful product.
• 
  Hope

  Very complex patterns, but great descriptions of technique and explanations of matching yarns to patterns and function. I wish there was more information on adapting patterns for fit and that some of the patterns were toe up.
• 
  Mary

  I love the patterns in this book. My only problem is the sizing. They seem to be designed for people with really narrow feet. So consequently I usually end up making the same sock several times on different size needles until I get the size right.
• 
  Jan

  4 1/2 Stars. This is a fantastic resource for sock knitters. It has so much interesting information about yarn and why some yarns work better for socks and some are not so good. And there is great general information on socks. The patterns are nice too. I may have to buy a copy of this one.