Socks

The best take-along knitting – delightful to make and wear

2-At-A-Time Socks

Adapt your favorite sock pattern to this innovative method of knitting 2 socks at once using a single circular needle!  Melissa Morgan-Oakes offers a way to avoid forever the repetitive boredom of knitting that second sock.  She also gives you 17 great sock patterns to get you started.  So cast on! You'll find fun along with the satisfaction of finishing 2 socks at the same time.

Arch-Shaped Stockings

Elizabeth Zimmermann knitted the prototype for the arch shaped stockings in the 1960s. As with Cat Bordhi's "New Pathways" socks, they are quite sensuous as you slip them on and feel the arch snug up into the bottom of your foot. In a thorough search of EZ's knitting journals, no notes about this particular design were found. Meg Swansen pored over the original stockings to create the written pattern which includes detailed instructions for a pair of aran or two color stockings plus charts for 7 different designs including an elegant Bavarian Twisted Stitch design. A sock-knitter's delight!

Anna Makarovna's Secret Stockings

Anna Makarovna has finished her stocking,” said Countess Marya. . . .They meant two stockings, which, by a secret known only to her, Anna Makarovna used to knit on her needles simultaneously. When the pair was finished, she always made a solemn ceremony of pulling one stocking out of the other in the presence of the children.

War and Peace , 1869, Leo Tolstoy

Knitters have wondered for a century and a half how on earth Anna Makarovna managed to knit her socks that so amazed everyone that the finishing of them was enough to bring a household before her as she unveiled two socks where only one had seemed to be.

Beverly Royce clearly explains how to knit like Anna and amaze your friends and all children (and yourself, I well imagine!). Could this be a technique to launch a thousand stashes?

Personal Footprints for Insoucient* Sock Knitters

Cat introduced me to the basics of her newest sock architecture. I can tell you that this is knitting at its breeziest and creativity at its most inspiring. I can also tell you that you will love what you find in this book.

One year ago I set myself the challenge of developing a sock knitting process that is as simple as humanly possible without sacrificing fit or design possibilities. This is the book.

~ Cat Bordhi

Toe-Up!

Chrissy Gardiner has written a masterpiece. Toe-Up! offers wonderfully detailed, clearly presented, photo-abundant tutalage of the techniques of knitting socks from the toe up, and then goes on to present page after page of sock patterns ranging from beautifully simple to deliciously advanced; tips, tricks and sock knitters' secrets; and more enthusiasm than you can shake a knitting needle at.

The photography in this book is among the best to have ever seen the printed page in a knitting text: the close ups are crystal clear, the stitches really show on all the models and composition in those photos where it is a factor is excellent.

Toe-Up! is the book you want if you have never knit a sock before. Toe-Up! is the book you want if you've been knitting socks all your life and are looking to learn more and knit more. In short, Toe-Up! is a must-have knitting classic, right from the start. I can't recommend it highly enough - this is book to cherish and enjoy for years and years and years.

New Pathways for Sock Knitters

Discover realm after realm of mysterious knitting as Cat Bordhi takes you on a guided tour on beyond conventional sock knitting. Here, socks begin as a journey along the highway of your imagination, emerging in ways both amazing and beautiful from between your needles. Which should surprise no one -- after all, Cat is the knitter who introduced us all to the magic of Moebius knitting. For Cat, it is a short yet mighty leap of imagination from riding the Moebius Highway to considering what might happen if you approached the shape of your sock from unprecidented angles and in deliciously unexpected ways. (Hint: Magically mysterious knitting will unfold before your eyes and between your needles.)

Seriously, New Pathways is a not-to-be-missed adventure for any knitter, with or without sock knitting experience. We have seen many of the models Cat created for New Pathways and can assure you that there is nothing but knitting joy between the covers of this new book. Once you try out this new "sockitecture", you'll never look back. Suddenly, the world, or at least your foot, will become your knitting playground. Be prepared to romp and frolic with Cat as you find new pathway after new pathway.

Cat's Magical Markers , designed by Cat especially to accompany her New Pathways for Sock Knitters, are here .

We have many of the yarns Cat uses in New Pathways, too!

Fleece Artist Merino 2/6 is here
Fleece Artist Sea Wool is here
Hand Maiden Sea Silk can be found here

Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles

Learn Cat's technique and never look back!

Cat Bordhi's first book has changed the landscape of handknitting socks. I'm someone who never really minded using 4 or 5 double pointed needles to knit small items in the round; on the other hand, I never really looked forward to it, either. Never once in my knitting experience have I gone out of my way to find an excuse to use double pointed needles. Needless to say, my interest in knitting socks was minimal at best.

All that has changed now: In addition to enticing me with terrific designs, Cat's technique, which replaces the 4 or 5 double pointed needles with 2 circular needles, makes sock knitting fun, fast and much, much easier to do well. Her instructions are crystal clear and well-illustrated and her techniques are elegant and sure. Since learning this amazingly easy and pleasurable technique, I have not only been knitting more socks that I ever imagined could be knit, but I now create sweater sleeves, hats, ties and any other small things on two circular needles instead of double points. If only I could think of a really good use for all those double pointed needles I have that are now taking up space and gathering dust.

Additionally, Cat is very, very funny to read -- the only trouble I had when trying to follow her instructions was that it's hard to keep track of where you are when you are laughing so much. However, even with that challenge, I did manage to move forward and can now zip along on two circulars as though I've always known how.

Knitting Circles Around Socks

Antje Gillingham has extended the use of two circular needles to include knitting both socks at a time. I have to say, it is much easier to use her method for two-at-a-time knitting than it is to use my method. With her method, the socks both share both needles and you move seamlessly from one to the next and around and back. With my method, each sock had (notice the past tense!) it's own pair of needles and I worked one sock and then the next, untangling the yarn as I switched. Antje has changed all that for me and she can do so for you, too.

Her lovely book is filled with clearly photographed instructions, charming sock designs and lots and lots of useful information, including yarn and size conversion tables. There's even instructions for translating dpn instructions to her two-socks/two-circulars method. Anyone who wants a better method to knit two socks at a time will find it in Knitting Circles Around Socks.

The Magic Loop

This little booklet has been part of the same revolution in knitting that Cat Bordhi's Socks Soar initiated - one of those "aha!" moments that led thousands of knitters to discover the joys of happier knitting through the simplicity of a single long-cable circular needle.

In it, Bev will teach you how to use a 32" or 40" circular needle to go 'round and 'round any small knit piece, whether socks, cuffs, sleeves, necklines, or more. Really, it couldn't be simpler or more effective.

This little gem is truly a must-have treasure for any knitter's bookshelf.

Favorite Socks

Favorite Socks offers a tantalizing collection of some of the best sock designs that have ever appeared between the pages of Interweave Knits , Spin-Off and PieceWork magazines plus 6 brand new patterns to delight us even more. Many of my favorite sock designers are well represented: Nancy Bush (with some phenomenal ethnic designs), Priscilla Gibson-Roberts (with both ethnic and simple short-row creations), Ann Budd (treating us to beautiful new designs), and Evelyn Clark (whose grasp of sock styles of the mid-20th century is beautifully on display in her designs). There is much more, also: a "Two-Yarn Resoleable Sock" based on Elizabeth Zimmermann's Moccasin Sock (original pattern found in Knitter's Almanac ); anklets; footlets; bed socks; and on beyond your fondest sock dreams.

In other words, this is must-have material for anyone interested in sock knitting. You'll love the panorama of designs, the sharp, clear photos, and accurate, easy-to-follow directions. You'll find socks to soothe you with their easy ways and socks to wake you up and make you take notice with their complexity. Mostly, though, you'll find sock knitting joy. This is a truly great sock book.

Sock Techniques 1 DVD

Everyone we know has been barely able to contain themselves for impatience to see this DVD - sight unseen, we all knew it would be great (what else could it be with Lucy at the helm?). Now, having seen them, I can state unequivocally that Sock Techniques 1 & 2 ARE great! In fact, I have never seen so many techniques so beautifully demonstrated before. It's my own opinion that if there is a sock making technique that is not on Sock Techniques 1 , then it can be found on Sock Techniques 2 . If it isn't on either of them, it's probably because no one knows it. That's just how complete and astonishing these DVDs are!

To show you what I mean, I'm printing the detailed chapter lists for each DVD here - they say more than anything I can write. Just look at this:

(NOTE: Page references relate to Lucy's book Cool Socks Warm Feet )

Introduction

• Choosing Yarn for Socks (p.87)
• Choosing Needles for Socks (p.80)
• Sock Anatomy and Fitting
• Common turned heel
• Tubular sock with an inserted heel
• Comparison of common and inserted heels

Bind-Off Methods

• Picot (p.33)
• Modified Conventional knitwise Modified Conventional purlwise and in rib (p.120)
• The last stitch, joining the gap
• Expanded rib (p.33)
• Three Needle (p.119)

Cast-On Methods

• Long-Tail / Continental (with two hands) (p.105 - 107)
• Adjusting the width of your cast-on edge (p.105 - 107)
• Adjusting the tension of your cast-on stitches (p.105 - 107)
• Looking after your tail yarn (p.105 - 107)
• Long-Tail / Continental (one-hand)
• Long-Tail variation for an extra strong elastic edge (ideal for socks) (p.105 - 107)
• Picot (p.75)
• Provisional Crochet (p.110)
• Setting up working in the round with a provisional edge
• Working in the round down from a provisional edge

Cuffs and Edgings for Top-Down Socks

• Latvian Twist (p.105)
• Ruffled Turn-Over (simulating round knitting) and a purlwise double decrease (p.38)
• Scalloped Turn-Over (p.38)
• Wavy Edge (K2, O, k2, k2t) (p.54)

Cuffs and Edgings for Toe-Up Socks

• Expanding a 2 x 2 Rib with a m1 increase and "working as set"™ (p.33)
• Binding off an Expanded 2 x 2 edge (p.33)
• Double Layer Rib facing with double turning round (p.77)
• Garter stitch in the round

Finishing Techniques

• Duplicate Stitch (Swiss Darning) (p.115)
• Circular Sutures, the Boggle and naturally occurring holes (p.115)
• Phoney duplicate stitching
• Joining the gap in a cast-on edge, and neatening yarn tails
• Joining the gap in a bound-off edge
• Darning ends from toes
• Grafting the Toe (Kitchener Stitch)
• Make the sock Toe Chimney (p.117)
• Using the sock Toe Chimney (p.117)

Common Heel

• Dividing for the heel flap
• Working the Heel Flap in Alternative Heel Stitch (p.16)
• Checking the length of the heel flap
• Areas of Adjustment in the Heel flap (p.72)
• Turning the heel and using a reinforcing yarn
• Areas of Adjustment in turning the heel
• Knitting up the stitches around the heel and resuming working in the round (p.16)
• Stitch distribution and the first round
• Areas of Adjustment after turning the heel

Toes - Common Wedge

• Shapings for the Common wedge (p.18)

Working in the Round with Double Pointed Needles

• Casting on and dividing the stitches (p.100)
• Joining the round and setting up the needles
• Circulating stitches, starting with a knit or a purl?
• Transporting your work
• Running yarn markers (p.113)
• Three needles when working with few stitches

Working in the Round with One Long Circular Needle

• Casting on and joining the round
• Working on one long circular needle

Working in the Round with Two Circular Needles

• Casting on and joining the round (p.102)
• Working on two circular needles

Tips for Great Socks (p.7)

Garment Gallery

• A brief look at a selection of garments incorporating many of the techniques covered

The Small Print

• A printable text section covering:
  • Definitions
  • Filming considerations
  • Copyright issues
  • About Lucy
  • Product information
  • Acknowledgments

Sock Techniques 2 DVD

The fun and the learning continue! Check this out - it's hard to believe how much is packed into this one DVD:

NOTE: Page References relate to Lucy's book Cool Socks Warm Feet

Introduction

Bind-Off Methods

• Preparation for Sewn Tubular Bind -Off and simulated round knitting (p.121)
• Sewing the Tubular Bound-off edge
• Looking at the tubular edge
• Conversion of 2 x 2 to 1 x 1 rib

Cast-On Methods

• Channel Island (p.108)
• Channel Island and Long Tail Diagrams
• Provisional Crochet Cast-On Removing the Provisional edge (p.110)
• Giant stitch demonstration of the tubular edge
• The finished Tubular edge
• Tubular 1 x 1 rib with waste yarn (p.110)
• Tubular 2 x 2 rib with waste yarn (p.110)
• Conversion of 1 x 1 to 2 x 2

Cuffs and Edgings for Top-Down Socks

• Sideways Garter St explanation (p.51)
• Sideways Garter St, preparing the cuff (p.51)
• Sideways Garter St, joining the cuff (p.51)

Inserted Heels

• Description of Garter Stitch Short-Row and Turkish
• Calculating the placement of inserted heels (for Garter Stitch Short-Row or Turkish)
• Garter Stitch Short Row Heel Decrease section (includes weaving in the tail of the heel yarn, garter stitch short rows, use of parking needles) (p.25)
• Increase section
• The final heel row
• Close-up of finished heel
• Turkish Heel (aka Peasant or Afterthought Heel)
• Setting in the Waste Yarnn (p.34)
• Picking up stitches and opening the heel gap
• Knitting the Turkish Heel

Miscellaneous But Useful

• Circular Suture (p.115)
• Phoney Duplicate stitch (p.115)
• Neatening the Cast-On joggle
• Wraps per inch (W.P.I.) (p.10)
• Running Yarn Marker (p.113)
• Right-slanting increase (raised increase)
• Hills and valleys

Toe-Up Toes : Bosnian

• Bosnian Toe Square - giant yarn demonstration (p.29)
• Creating the toe square (p.29)
• Working the foot

Toe-Up Toes : Garter Stitch Short Row

• Decrease section (p.44)
• Increase section
• Setting up into the round

Toe-Up Toes : Stocking Stitch Short Row

• Decrease section (p.65)
• Smoothing rows
• Increase section

Turning and Facing Rounds

• Planning your Facing (p.33)
• Picot Turning round (p.34)
• Fusing the facing to the sock
• Rib with double turning round

Garment Gallery

• A brief look at a selection of garments incorporating many of the techniques covered

The Small Print

• A printable text section covering:
  • Definitions
  • Filming considerations
  • Copyright issues
  • About Lucy
  • Product information
  • Acknowledgment

Cool Socks Warm Feet

I've decided that Lucy Neatby must be a combination of Barbara Walker, Cat Bordhi and Piet Mondrian. She's absolutely amazing! She has engineered designs that are brilliantly unique in and of themselves, but also (how many times am I allowed to use the word "brilliant" in one sentence??) highlight the joys to be found in printed yarns. The socks that emerge are genius works of art that are also playful delights. It's as though she discovers the joyful relationship of color and form at every turn.

But that's not really what makes Cool Socks Warm Feet a "must have" on your bookshelf. The reason we all want and need copies of Lucy's book is because there is more in-depth, amazing and essential information about sock knitting between its covers than any other single source I can think of. Lucy knows all and tells all.

• She has tucked new and wonderful techniques into each and every pattern;
• she begins with Tips for Great Socks and four pages of Helpful Notes - many of which can save you hours of struggle
• after the six breathtaking patterns (packed as they are with goodness and light), she gives us a wee section on Miniature Socks, for those who may be longing to make matching necklace and earings;
• And then the fun really begins! Check out some of the things that are in the second half of the book:
  • Spare parts for Your Ultimate Socks - discover the joy of mixing and matching all manner of traditional cast-ons, heels, toes, cuffs, facings and bind offs. No two pair of your socks ever need be alike again!
  • Techniques, Tactics and Tools of the Trade - including a complete illustrated detailed discussion of how to knit socks with double-points and two (or more) circular needles; the amazing varieties of sock yarns and what to do with them; fitting your socks and adjusting your patterns for fit; sock finishing.
  • Getting started on the sock needles of your choice; yarn carrying techniques (and I bet you thought there couldn't be more than one!); obscure, fascinating and useful cast-ons; darning and grafting; waste yarn openings; various bind-offs for flexibility and style.

So you see, this is truly a sock book par excellence - a sock knitter's constant companion and friend. Oh, and it has great sock patterns, too.

Knitting Vintage Socks

Nancy Bush's newest book is already one of my best friends. Her "remakes" of the classic Weldon's patterns are so wearably wonderful that my first impulse was to take off for a cave in the Himalayas with nothing but her book, yarn and, of course, a reasonable collection of needles. There, I was sure of it, I would have the time to do nothing but recreate these socks. Of course, reality intervened, I think in the form of Bob asking for dinner, and so I'm still here without all the socks knit (yet!). However, I'm working on it -- and know you'll want to do the same. This is a delicious book, one where knitting ideas intersect with history and stories of times past. I should add that Nancy, in her usual fashion, gives us all sorts of information about more sock construction techniques than most of us would have thought existed. Most important, to me at any rate, is that when she brought the patterns up-to-date, she in no way dumbed them down (unless you call changing the needle size from 00000 US to 1 US dumbing down -- I call it lifesaving, myself). You'll love this book, I'm sure of it.

Knitting on the Road

Although socks are indeed the perfect knitting project to take along anywhere, you don't have to leave your favorite knitting chair to love this book. Nancy Bush is a favorite sock designer -- her designs are classic, beautiful, a delight to knit and, best of all, very, very wearable. Here are 17 new designs, inspired by destinations the world over, that will take you on journeys of their own through techniques traditional and modern, with yarns from every corner of the knitting globe. These are socks you love making every step of the way -- and then you love wearing them and introducing them to your friends!

As if that weren't enough, Nancy Bush has provided an excellent introduction to all the techniques she uses and even gives us a "yarn equivalency" chart for over 50 likely sock yarns, by name and manufacturer. If you can't find the yarn she uses, you'll truly have no trouble finding a wonderful substitute.