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Sock Architecture
Sock Architecture is perfect for both experienced and novice sock knitters. This thorough, imaginative collection of sock shapes and patterns gives you the tools to construct an astounding variety of custom socks.
All heels and toes are carefully explained and clearly photographed, and you can plug in your own numbers to work at the exact size and gauge you want. If you'd rather just pick up the needles and start knitting, Sock Architecture also includes 17 fully designed patterns. Most span five sizes, from women's extra small through men's large. And most of the patterns offer guidelines for an adjustable size so you can choose your own gauge, size, or both. Make socks that are as unique as you are!
Lara demystifies popular sock-knitting techniques and gives you tips and tricks that could only have come from the mind behind the Math4Knitters blog and podcast. Terrified of grafting? Love afterthought heels but hate retrieving those tiny left-on-hold stitches? Adore the look and fit of your usual top down heel, but hate picking up gusset stitches and dealing with that weird little hole at the top of the heel flap? Lara gives you all the tools and methods you need to address these issues and build your own great socks.
All heels and toes are carefully explained and clearly photographed, and you can plug in your own numbers to work at the exact size and gauge you want. If you'd rather just pick up the needles and start knitting, Sock Architecture also includes 17 fully designed patterns. Most span five sizes, from women's extra small through men's large. And most of the patterns offer guidelines for an adjustable size so you can choose your own gauge, size, or both. Make socks that are as unique as you are!
Lara demystifies popular sock-knitting techniques and gives you tips and tricks that could only have come from the mind behind the Math4Knitters blog and podcast. Terrified of grafting? Love afterthought heels but hate retrieving those tiny left-on-hold stitches? Adore the look and fit of your usual top down heel, but hate picking up gusset stitches and dealing with that weird little hole at the top of the heel flap? Lara gives you all the tools and methods you need to address these issues and build your own great socks.
138 pages, Paperback
First published August 25, 2014
4 people are currently reading
338 people want to read
About the author
Lara Neel
5 books14 followersLara Neel published over 150 free patterns in three years for the
Math4Knitters, Crafty Living blog and podcast. Now, when she’s not dreaming of more books, she’s offering select, test-knit (and/or tech-edited) patterns for sale.
Her work has also appeared in Knit Edge, Petite Purls, The Ennea Collective, and Knitty. The easiest way to reach her is on Ravelry or her blog, math4knitters.blogspot.com. She is
Math4Knitters. She would love to hear from you.
Math4Knitters, Crafty Living blog and podcast. Now, when she’s not dreaming of more books, she’s offering select, test-knit (and/or tech-edited) patterns for sale.
Her work has also appeared in Knit Edge, Petite Purls, The Ennea Collective, and Knitty. The easiest way to reach her is on Ravelry or her blog, math4knitters.blogspot.com. She is
Math4Knitters. She would love to hear from you.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 17, 2017
To rephrase an old trite joke, there are two kinds of knitters: those who make socks, and those who do not. It does at times seem that the sock knitters do nothing else and talk about nothing else, while the non-sock knitters either claim that socks are "too complicated" or else "too boring" to bother with. And of course there's the fashionista who objects to spending time on socks because "no one can see them."
I like knitting socks, and enjoy wearing them. I have taught others how to knit socks, and probably will do that again. I've been charged with being "unfashionable" for wearing socks with sandals, but honestly, it's a good way to show off fancy work.
In spite of all this, I have to say that Lara Neel is much deeper into socks than I have ever been. This book discusses many variations on the heel and toe structures that are possible, delving into the history of each and the times when they might be appropriate (or not.) I confess I've always been willing to settle for the familiar round heel (which Ms. Neel informs us is properly known as the "French heel") or the commercial style short row heel, combined with the typical wedge shaped toe.
I'll never look at a heel the same way again. I say this even though I'm unlikely to try all of those odd variations presented here.
There is much practical information in the book as well. Tricks and tips to improve fit, wearability, and durability as well as appearance are scattered throughout. No less than seventeen detailed sock patterns are included, many of them with instructions for knitting the sock from the toe up to the top as well as the more common way from the top down. These even demonstrate that one can knit the various flap and gusset heel designs in either direction, something that I assumed was possible but had never before seen demonstrated. Toe up designs with which I was familiar always used a short row heel.
I could say this is more than I ever wanted to know about socks, but it was a fascinating journey just the same. And yes, I learned some useful things and got some new ideas as well. I would caution the rank beginner, however, that some subjects such as grafting (Kitchener stitch) are given short shrift here and you will need to look elsewhere for step by step instructions. Patterns and instructions are given with the assumption that you are using five double pointed needles, though they can certainly be adapted to four needles, two circulars, or the "magic loop" technique with one circular needle.
Overall, the author has produced a veritable dissertation on sock design and construction. This book is well worth consideration by the serious sock knitter. Beginners who prefer not to be dazzled by dozens of options may like a more direct approach, such as that provided by Nancy Bush in Folk Socks: The History & Techniques of Handknitted Footwear or Lynn Vogel's The Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook: Dyeing, Painting, Spinning, Designing, Knitting. The latter is particularly good for those who want to make socks from their handspun yarns.
I like knitting socks, and enjoy wearing them. I have taught others how to knit socks, and probably will do that again. I've been charged with being "unfashionable" for wearing socks with sandals, but honestly, it's a good way to show off fancy work.
In spite of all this, I have to say that Lara Neel is much deeper into socks than I have ever been. This book discusses many variations on the heel and toe structures that are possible, delving into the history of each and the times when they might be appropriate (or not.) I confess I've always been willing to settle for the familiar round heel (which Ms. Neel informs us is properly known as the "French heel") or the commercial style short row heel, combined with the typical wedge shaped toe.
I'll never look at a heel the same way again. I say this even though I'm unlikely to try all of those odd variations presented here.
There is much practical information in the book as well. Tricks and tips to improve fit, wearability, and durability as well as appearance are scattered throughout. No less than seventeen detailed sock patterns are included, many of them with instructions for knitting the sock from the toe up to the top as well as the more common way from the top down. These even demonstrate that one can knit the various flap and gusset heel designs in either direction, something that I assumed was possible but had never before seen demonstrated. Toe up designs with which I was familiar always used a short row heel.
I could say this is more than I ever wanted to know about socks, but it was a fascinating journey just the same. And yes, I learned some useful things and got some new ideas as well. I would caution the rank beginner, however, that some subjects such as grafting (Kitchener stitch) are given short shrift here and you will need to look elsewhere for step by step instructions. Patterns and instructions are given with the assumption that you are using five double pointed needles, though they can certainly be adapted to four needles, two circulars, or the "magic loop" technique with one circular needle.
Overall, the author has produced a veritable dissertation on sock design and construction. This book is well worth consideration by the serious sock knitter. Beginners who prefer not to be dazzled by dozens of options may like a more direct approach, such as that provided by Nancy Bush in Folk Socks: The History & Techniques of Handknitted Footwear or Lynn Vogel's The Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook: Dyeing, Painting, Spinning, Designing, Knitting. The latter is particularly good for those who want to make socks from their handspun yarns.
November 8, 2014
This book explains the basics of sock knitting, including how to figure out the correct number of stitches and lots of heels/toes. This is something I found sorely lacking when trying to find a pattern for my first pair of socks. I have the physical books, but there are a lot of links in the text. If I bought the book again, I would buy the digital copy.
February 6, 2017
Awesome book with a ton of information for those knitters who want to have some different quirks or custom sizing. Great tutorials & visuals to help too!!
October 6, 2014
Received in a Goodreads Giveaway in September 2014. Thank you!
Lovely book, great patterns. It has several different methods of toe-up socks represented, which is very helpful for knitters with different styles. My mother has already put a claim to get this book after I'm done with it. She's been knitting socks for most of her life top down and with her own method. She is very interested in learning how to make them toe-up and will be choosing the method that works best for her.
The structure explanations and reasons why are very clear. Patterns are straightforward. This will probably replace my previous go to sock knitting reference book. The only gripe pattern wise is many of the heels. I find this problem with American/English sock knitting in general. The heels are formed such that the thicker stitching is pretty much guaranteed to rub the foot raw for me or make them uncomfortable for long walking wear in general.
Lovely book, great patterns. It has several different methods of toe-up socks represented, which is very helpful for knitters with different styles. My mother has already put a claim to get this book after I'm done with it. She's been knitting socks for most of her life top down and with her own method. She is very interested in learning how to make them toe-up and will be choosing the method that works best for her.
The structure explanations and reasons why are very clear. Patterns are straightforward. This will probably replace my previous go to sock knitting reference book. The only gripe pattern wise is many of the heels. I find this problem with American/English sock knitting in general. The heels are formed such that the thicker stitching is pretty much guaranteed to rub the foot raw for me or make them uncomfortable for long walking wear in general.
October 27, 2018
The content of this book is A+. I found the presentation a bit hard to follow; I'd prefer more detailed instructions about each toe/heel option in one place, instead of having to flip back and forth between the generic instructions and the actual patterns, which contain the details.
That said, I'm bumping this up a star because this book helped me figure out a contrast heel on toe-up socks.
The author provides formulas you can use to calculate your own sock patterns based on measurements + gauge. (This is an excellent project if you're looking to learn a new programming language.)
That said, I'm bumping this up a star because this book helped me figure out a contrast heel on toe-up socks.
The author provides formulas you can use to calculate your own sock patterns based on measurements + gauge. (This is an excellent project if you're looking to learn a new programming language.)
December 31, 2014
Absolutely brilliant! Lara Neel explores heels, toes, and the math behind knitting beautiful cuff-down and toe-up socks that fit. The math got a bit beyond me at times, but I know with more in-depth reading I'll get it. I have plans to knit several of the cuff-down patterns, and I may even give one or two of the toe-up socks a go, too.
January 1, 2021
Very good explanations for different types of sock elements and why things are done a certain way. I highly recommend it if you are looking to branch out on your own sock pattern making, but perhaps not a good fit if you exclusively use patterns written by others.
June 25, 2018
Seriously: a book I want to own so that I can dip into it at need.
October 20, 2018
One of the best sock knitting books I've read. I need to add this to my personal library.
January 21, 2019
Good resource for designing sock patterns.
April 11, 2019
Awesome sock knitting resource. Borrowed a copy from the local Knitter's Guild, plan to get my own copy soon.
February 18, 2015
This is, far and away, my favorite knitting book right now. Lara’s style of writing is something with which I instantly connect, and reading the book feels like I’m sitting in a room, knitting with a friend, and talking about the technicalities and nuances of knitting socks. Her style is conversational enough to be engaging, but underneath that conversational style lies a deep and precise technical exploration of all things sock knitting. Lara touches on the history of knitted socks and dives right into how socks are constructed.
I’m a sock-knitting newbie, with only a handful of completed pairs of socks under my belt and I read this book cover-to-cover — everything was completely accessible to me. I suspect seasoned sock knitters will find a wealth of information as well. This book truly is for any level of sock knitter.
This book really is the perfect sock book. If you want sock patterns, there are 17 wonderful patterns. But Sock Architecture is not simply a pattern book. Yes, there are patterns, but the book also includes thorough discussion on all sorts of techniques — toe-up, cuff-down, heels (afterthought and flaps), toes, etc. Most of the patterns include instructions for both toe-up and cuff-down, which I thought was particularly interesting — it really showed that a sock knitter can work in his or her preferred method of knitting a sock and come out with awesome socks. Everything in this book serves to build the knitter’s confidence.
Where the book particularly shines is in attention to detail. In addition to being full of well-written patterns, the book contains detailed descriptions of all the techniques employed in sock knitting. That’s great, but it’s the photography that sets everything apart. Each sock is expertly photographed from different angles, with close-up photographs of the heel and the toe. I’m sure these pictures will prove to be invaluable as I experiment with new-to-me heel and toe techniques. Lara also includes excellent photography in the technique section, where she thoroughly explains every heel and toe used in the book. In addition to excellent photography of all the parts of a sock in which a knitter is interested, Lara makes another excellent choice for her sock photographs: they are all photographs of solid colored socks. There are so many beautiful striped and variegated yarns out there, and most of these socks would look great with fancy yarn. But if they were photographed with fancy yarn for the book, it would have really taken away from the design of the sock itself, and the ability to concentrate on the details of the techniques employed. Keeping the photographs simple was an excellent decision, and I’m very happy that it was done that way.
For the adventurous sock knitter, going beyond the patterns in the book is the obvious next step. There’s a reason this book is called Sock Architecture — Lara’s thorough treatment of the architecture behind making a sock is enough to make a knitter confident in designing his or her own socks. Mix and match heels and toes based on what your personal preference is. Make the leg and foot as fancy or as plain as you like. The possibilities are endless.
Lara’s instructions for the various options for heels and toes make so much sense to follow that I’m already confident in trying any of them. One of the coolest things about the patterns in this book is that almost all of them are appropriate for men’s socks as well as women’s socks, which is particularly refreshing. Most of the cool sock designs I’ve seen elsewhere really have a feminine touch to them, and I wouldn’t be interested in knitting them for myself or for my dad. Not the case with the patterns in Sock Architecture! Of course, any of the patterns would look great as a women’s sock, too.
My only complaint with this book is with the binding. This book would be much better served with a spiral binding so that it could lay flat on any page. Since that issue can be corrected with a trip to the local copy shop and having them cut the binding off and re-bind it with a coil, that’s not a huge deal. I haven’t made it to the copy shop for the rebinding yet, but it’s on my list of things to do.
All in all, without hesitation, I heartily recommend this book to any knitter who knits — or wants to knit — socks.
I’m a sock-knitting newbie, with only a handful of completed pairs of socks under my belt and I read this book cover-to-cover — everything was completely accessible to me. I suspect seasoned sock knitters will find a wealth of information as well. This book truly is for any level of sock knitter.
This book really is the perfect sock book. If you want sock patterns, there are 17 wonderful patterns. But Sock Architecture is not simply a pattern book. Yes, there are patterns, but the book also includes thorough discussion on all sorts of techniques — toe-up, cuff-down, heels (afterthought and flaps), toes, etc. Most of the patterns include instructions for both toe-up and cuff-down, which I thought was particularly interesting — it really showed that a sock knitter can work in his or her preferred method of knitting a sock and come out with awesome socks. Everything in this book serves to build the knitter’s confidence.
Where the book particularly shines is in attention to detail. In addition to being full of well-written patterns, the book contains detailed descriptions of all the techniques employed in sock knitting. That’s great, but it’s the photography that sets everything apart. Each sock is expertly photographed from different angles, with close-up photographs of the heel and the toe. I’m sure these pictures will prove to be invaluable as I experiment with new-to-me heel and toe techniques. Lara also includes excellent photography in the technique section, where she thoroughly explains every heel and toe used in the book. In addition to excellent photography of all the parts of a sock in which a knitter is interested, Lara makes another excellent choice for her sock photographs: they are all photographs of solid colored socks. There are so many beautiful striped and variegated yarns out there, and most of these socks would look great with fancy yarn. But if they were photographed with fancy yarn for the book, it would have really taken away from the design of the sock itself, and the ability to concentrate on the details of the techniques employed. Keeping the photographs simple was an excellent decision, and I’m very happy that it was done that way.
For the adventurous sock knitter, going beyond the patterns in the book is the obvious next step. There’s a reason this book is called Sock Architecture — Lara’s thorough treatment of the architecture behind making a sock is enough to make a knitter confident in designing his or her own socks. Mix and match heels and toes based on what your personal preference is. Make the leg and foot as fancy or as plain as you like. The possibilities are endless.
Lara’s instructions for the various options for heels and toes make so much sense to follow that I’m already confident in trying any of them. One of the coolest things about the patterns in this book is that almost all of them are appropriate for men’s socks as well as women’s socks, which is particularly refreshing. Most of the cool sock designs I’ve seen elsewhere really have a feminine touch to them, and I wouldn’t be interested in knitting them for myself or for my dad. Not the case with the patterns in Sock Architecture! Of course, any of the patterns would look great as a women’s sock, too.
My only complaint with this book is with the binding. This book would be much better served with a spiral binding so that it could lay flat on any page. Since that issue can be corrected with a trip to the local copy shop and having them cut the binding off and re-bind it with a coil, that’s not a huge deal. I haven’t made it to the copy shop for the rebinding yet, but it’s on my list of things to do.
All in all, without hesitation, I heartily recommend this book to any knitter who knits — or wants to knit — socks.
May 13, 2015
Some of this book is above my skill level, and some is just above my patience level. And, I don't have problems with fit that would motivate me to experiment. It certainly is intriguing. I learned that the name of the heel I usually make is half-handkerchief. The author's recommendation for negative ease is that the sock should be 90 percent of the width and length of the foot--I knew about the width, but the length? Don't one's toes wear through?
I like that the patterns are needle-neutral and that each is written for both top-down and toe-up. The patterns I would make are Strie (single garter rib) and Checked and Square (two-stitch check). Probably worth revisiting when I have more experience with sock knitting.
I like that the patterns are needle-neutral and that each is written for both top-down and toe-up. The patterns I would make are Strie (single garter rib) and Checked and Square (two-stitch check). Probably worth revisiting when I have more experience with sock knitting.
August 22, 2016
I love this book! Goes into depth about different toe and heel constructions, AND which foot shapes they work for. So much helpful information in this book. Too many knitting books don't get into the details like this, but those details are what elevate a knitted garment to the next level. HIGHLY recommended for those who like lots of technical knowledge in their reading.
October 26, 2016
There is always something new to learn about sock knitting. This book is a treasury of sock information and definitely worth every penny and much more. There is an amazing amount of different toes and heels in this book, both top down and toe up. Many of which I have never tried. I can't wait to try all the new tricks and things.
February 6, 2016
Great Patterns & instructions.
February 5, 2015
I've been sock knitting for years, but there's always more to learn. This book is a terrific reference for sock knitters and I'm happy to have it as part of my knitting library.
January 7, 2016
Great book!
March 25, 2016
There are a few patterns in here I want to get to eventually!
July 22, 2016
A comprehensive great sock book
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews