New Pathways for Sock Knitters: Book One

by Cat Bordhi

NEW PATHWAYS ignites a bright new era for sock knitters everywhere!

-- knit the 2 little learning socks, and you re ready for 8 new styles of sock architecture
-- over 400 colorful illustrations and photos
-- your choice of dpn s, 2 circs, or 1 long circ
-- 28 unique patterns, with 8 for babies
-- 8 Master Patterns - 1 for each architectural style
-- Master Pattern sizing for infants to large men, in 11 gauges
-- custom-fit feet of all shapes and sizes

Worked in pure stockinette, each style is so elegant you may never wish for more. But if you want to play, the possibilities are infinite:

-- let hand-painted yarns spill their colors along new and artful pathways
-- harmonize the rhythms of familiar stitch patterns with the book s universal formula, and see the familiar reborn with a new and beautiful look
-- combine architectures for infinite hybrid forms, or be the first to try something brand new

Genres: Knitting, Nonfiction, Crafts, Reference, How To, Own

136 pages, Paperback

First published July 20, 2007

About the author

Cat Bordhi became a writer at age twelve when she discovered the power of writing to an audience that is hungry and fully present, which at the time was herself and her closest friends, and the form was shared journals and letters. Like a raccoon washing its food in a creek, Cat learned to wash her experiences in a clear stream of words that hummed with something deeper than the confusion and dreams they described. Her most valued writing tool is Roget's Thesaurus, the full, classic edition (not the one organized like a dictionary, which is a poor cousin), because it allows one to unpeel layers of obscuration from meaning simply by testing different pathways of words.

She also learned to knit a bit like a raccoon, beside a creek, at age eight. Although her first two sweaters were abandoned unfinished, and there were years when she scarcely knit at all and other years where she knit obsessively, she has always loved the mystery of pulling loops through loops to make a shaped fabric, and continues to delight in the endless possibilities that keep appearing. She likes nothing better than to have a knitting experiment go awry because it means very interesting, possibly never-before-seen things are probably hiding nearby.

During her years as a school teacher, Cat taught a form of math which required students to deepen their understanding by explaining their investigations and insights with graphs, pictures, numbers, and words. Once she began to write knitting books, she realized that she was using the very same skills she had taught, and so her books are known for their thorough explanations.

Cat has been a full-time writer since 2002, and also teaches knitting workshops, gives talks at knitting retreats and to knitting guilds, and also teaches writing workshops. At this time she leads a quiet and blessed life tucked away in the woods on a remote island in the Pacific Northwest, where she is working on the next book in the Forest Inside trilogy, and is sheepishly collecting what seem to be projects for a Third Treasury of Magical Knitting. The infinite nature of the Moebius just seems to keep offering new possibilities to explore.

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has brilliant, innovative designs. However, the layout is awful. I understand that some of this is due to the author's desire for the patterns to be variable, so all the toes are in one section & the heels in another. The result is that it's very frustrating to knit even a so-called "master" pattern because you are having to constantly flip between pages. Plus the instructions are not always clearly written. There were several points where I had to try and decipher what I was supposed to do next and I'm an experienced knitter.

This book is great for those who want an adventure, not for those who are looking for a well laid-out, precise pattern. Not for beginners or novices.

[Mollie *scoutrmom* · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the patterns in this book gave me a better idea of what is involved in designing a pattern. Bordhi doesn't only show us "what" or "how", she shares her "why". Those who might be ready to try a bit of redesigning sock knitting patterns could certainly justify the cost of this book.

The only reason I'm not rushing right to my stash to begin some of these is because I read the second book first, and wanted to try that version.

[Nell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a four- or five-star book for those who are ready for it. Me, not yet, but I hope to get there. Meanwhile, it opens my mind to the possibilities.

[Judith Greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! Love the break down of sections of the sock to make alterations comprehensive and easily worked. Well written and easy to understand.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish my brain could think about knitting the way Cat Bordhi does! So far, I've made four of the architectures, and I plan to try out the other four.

[Mycroft · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the one hand, this is exceptionally innovative, both in terms of how one can move around the gusset and how this will work with different patterns. For example, if one puts the gusset on the bottom of the foot, one can keep the pattern going around the top and sides of the foot. Some enable one to keep the pattern going over the heel. Nifty, right?

The down side, though, is the sometimes excessive complexity in calculations. Bordhi assigns a bunch of letters to various things that mean something like 'length of first section of toe up sock' and then refers to these throughout the book. If one does not remember that 'A' is gauge, and 'J' is 'Custom Instep Adjustment Number' one will struggle to follow along at times. It seemed like one could describe this using those pesky words instead of faux algebra.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love when knitting book authors think about why they are doing something a particular way instead of just adding crap to traditional patterns. This author has completely broken down socks to what shape they need to be and made patterns accordingly, ditching European traditions when they don't serve the function of the sock. I love the Chinese-menu style of the patterns, although it has made it necessary to carry the whole book until I learn some by heart. Fortunately everything is so clear and logical I probably will learn a lot by heart. In the meantime, laminated cards might have been a better format; but I suppose in the world of knitting publishing, one can't break too many conventions at once.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book for those who are already familiar with knitting socks and their architecture - the different parts used to form a sock structure.

Cat Bordhi has discovered a different way to construct socks, one without the use of gussets. Since I happen to think the gusset is the worst part of knitting a sock I was delighted to find that those increases may be distributed anywhere between the toe and the top of the ankle bone, including the sole.

For designers this means a great deal more freedom in distributing their pattern. For sock knitters it means another possibility to find the elusive perfect sock.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Own it, love it, just about used it to death. Read carefully, do the sample socks to understand what's going on, and know that Cat Bordhi has a YouTube channel with videos where she explains some of the concepts for those who learn better in that manner. Some sock types you'll love and others won't work as well on your feet. That's normal for this method - I recommend finding the one or ones that work for you and then going with those.

I've cut the spine off of my copy because it's getting pretty badly dog-eared from use. I'm going to do what I can to preserve it by popping each page in a page protector.

[Ideath · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is making me do things that i have been putting off... like following an entire pattern all the way to the end, and swatching properly, and using stitch markers. The patterns are clever and creative - i love the geometric thinking that underlies her structural explorations, and the practicality of the math that makes all of the patterns adjustable to different needles and yarns. My only complaint is that i end up turning forward and back in the book like mad, as techniques, calculations and patterns are modular and scattered. I need bookmarks (and real stitch markers).

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I refer to this book often for it's techniques and charts. Great book for anyone who wants to understand the mechanics of sock knitting, but also for those who simply want to make socks simply and creatively.

I use the Riverbed "sockitecture" for most of the socks I knit for my autistic nephew because it creates such a smooth, comfortable seamless line. These socks seem to be his favorites to wear.

[Nellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I checked the book out of library to see if it was one I wanted to own. I own Socks Soar.
cat has found innovative way to knit socks. She clearly explains her discoveries. In order to learn, it is strongly suggested that one knits baby socks of each technique. this suggestion was also made in the Socks Soar book.

I am strongly consider purchasing this book. I have gotten away from sick knitting the past few years. I think this book might be the one to rekindle my love of sock knitting.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

While my dislike for the author has been well documented, I can't deny that she attacks sock knitting from directions I didn't even know existed. If you're not a sock knitter, I doubt you can imagine how kick ass it is to free the increases (or decreases should you be a top-downer) from the gusset but trust me when I say it's super kick ass!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I use this book over and over to knit socks. It has all the math to measure a person's foot and figure out how to make a sock to fit them, regardless of if they have a wide or narrow foot, heel, high or low arch. Great charts and math to do calculate how to tailor socks. And some great toe up techniques. One of my favorites.

[Hester · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first read this book, I thought it was brilliant. Now that I have read other sock-knitting books, I think the author has over-sold herself. I still, however, think it is a fantastic book and I highly recommend it as the probably the best book to teach how to knit socks. I have used it to knit socks for babies and for my fiance with size 13 feet.

[penny shima glanz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The layout is a bit funky and frustrating but it's great to turn some of the standards on their heads. I love the heel in that there are no stitches to pick up, the best of both short row and heel flaps. :)

[Ann Johnson Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good and creative information, horrible editing. I like what Cat Bordhi has to share with me, but the confusing lay-out is very off-putting. Others have managed to write excellent sock books w/o making me read each section 10 times to grasp the concepts.

[N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book filled with good, clear tips on customizing the design and fit of socks. A few of the cuff techniques provide more excitement than they're worth, but Bordhi has a playful taste in patterns and it's overall a good resource for sock knitters.

[Kirstin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. I don't think I know enough about knitting yet to fully take advantage of it, but I thinking trying Cat's patterns and techniques is going to help me learn so much more about knitting and socks than I would have thought possible.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a wonderfully poetic way to learn to knit socks that fit and are easy to knit. Have fun learning.

[BookMouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just got my very own copy. Oh, boy! I can't wait to get some of these patterns going! Cat Birdhi really has the physics of knitting down pat.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is making way more sense to me than that other book where you knit two socks at a time, I could not get the hang of that one!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book confused me mightily!! I am going to have to return to it at a later date. But I am glad to hear the enthusiasm of so many who have reviewed it.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me into a better sock knitter AND to learn to knit toe-up AND to really check the gauge!
I'm not accurate yet with the "w&t and then cw" techniques, but they'll come, I'm sure.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. Her patterns make very comfortable socks, and they're easy to work.

[Mindofwinter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book - very innovative.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some interesting construction techniques for socks. Didn't have a chance to try any before my library wanted the book back, so I may check it out and try them out sometime.

[Maylin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Innovative and clearly written.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating to read, even if I never knit from this book. Perfect for someone who has mastered the regular sock patterns and needs a challenge.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the patterns were ones which I actually had to knit up to understand what was intended.