Socktopus: 17 Pairs of Socks to Knit and Show Off

by Alice Yu

Everything to knit really cool socks. If you love knitting socks or want to learn how, you’ll love Socktopus – it’s packed with inspiring designs, how-to instruction, creative patterns, and expert tips. Knitting socks has never been so easy or so much fun! 17 patterns from a top designer. Written by the renowned designer Alice Yu of the UK, it features 17 of her amazing patterns, each sized in small, medium, and large. And no more worries about getting the right fit. Just follow her simple directions for shaping toes, turning heels, sizing a sole, and fitting for a high arch for a custom fit. Love yarns? You’re in for a treat. Because so does Alice. She devotes a complete section to exploring the subject, acquainting you with wonderful yarns and fibers – in all their infinite variety. Another way this book gets your creative juice flowing. Intriguing possibilities. Socktopus will inspire you with ideas for creating your own one-of-a-kind socks so you can dive into knitting socks feet first!

Genres: Knitting, Nonfiction, Crafts, Reference

160 pages, Paperback

First published October 5, 2011

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books gives a nice basic overview of yarn fibers and construction. I like the part describing the differences between different animal fibers. There was a few pages of swatch photos but I'm not sure why. Looking at a swatch for a yarn I don't have and didn't knit isn't helpful to me. I liked the detailed instructions for how to create a basic "vanilla" sock custom for your foot. I was entertained by the names of the patterns. I wish there was one or two more simple sock patterns , perhaps a basic ribbed sock, because it seems a big gap between the Totally Vanilla pattern and all the other complex patterns. However, there are lots of cool designs and if a person made every sock in this book, they would learn so many new techniques. I thought the De Stijl pattern was most unique because I have never seen floats used on the front of a project as a design element.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful socks but for a more advanced sick knitter

[Mckinley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Advanced patterns of many lovely socks. Need to learn the basics of sock knitting first! However, if one IS going to the trouble of knitting socks they should be fabulous and these would be.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knitting Socks I love to borrow books from my local libraries. I love that I can go to different libraries and borrow knitting and crochet books as they don't all have the same. I found this book at the Mary L Cook Library in Waynesville, OH. 
 
Another thing, I love to knit and crochet and I do enjoy making socks, but I like to stay home to work on them or sit somewhere quiet to knit on them. So I borrow Sock books frequently. 
 
This book was fun to look at and read the patterns. There were some that could be generic (male/female), but mostly they were for women/girls. This book had many different looks to the socks and one showed a fun pinwheel heel. I would love to try that. I do copy the patterns from the book in order to make some of them. It is always a good idea to copy the pattern from the book so you can mark on it as you are making the pattern. You really don't want to mark up a book you buy or a book you borrow. 
 
I recommend this book to anyone who knits and loves to make socks. If you look at it what was your favorite pattern? 

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw some interesting patterns in this book, but nothing that wow'ed me. I think her patterns would show detail better in solid yarn choices, bit most were knit with variegated yarn. Her designs seemed geared towards a larger foot/fit. I would be concerned that many of the patterns would have to be altered to fit me. I am glad that this is on my library's shelves, but I would not purchase it myself.

[Donna Ancypa Holmes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty patterns which make good use of her gently variegated yarn. There are some lovely touches on heel flaps and toes, but her design esthetic is fairly specific - if you like geometric patterns and textures and smaller motifs, this collection will be right up your alley. Clear technique photos and nice FO pictures. Socks offered in multiple sizes.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book because it had a couple of very different and beautiful patterns. I can't wait to get them on my needles!

[Tessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just okay. Probably a sock knitter would gasp and die at a few of these patterns but...I'm not a sock knitter.

[thistle]

Variant records need linking.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly top-down patterns, but cute/fun!

[Erin Germain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some fun patterns. I've already earmarked a couple, both for myself and to be knitted as gifts.

[Tilden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful sock patterns. I haven't heard about Alice Yu. I want to buy this book.