No Fear Sock Knitting: Take the worry out of sock knitting with this beginner's guide

by Denise DeSantis

Do you want to knit socks but don't know where to begin? No Fear Sock Knitting  will get you started on your sock knitting journey in no time. This practical guide to how to knit socks for absolute beginners and beyond is based on Denise DeSantis' popular online tutorial series.

Sock knitting can be daunting because it involves using circular and double pointed needles which less experienced knitters can find intimidating. This accessible guide will explain all the main sock knitting techniques in a very clear way so you can get started making beautiful hand knitted socks.



If you don't know your toe-ups from your cuff-downs, and you can't tell a shadow wrap from an afterthought heel, author Denise DeSantis, will explain all.Her easy-to-follow tutorials for common sock knitting techniques have made her No Fear Sock Knitting series on YouTube popular amongst knitters, and now you can have her expertise in one handy volume with this practical guide based on the series.The accessible tutorials will unlock even the trickiest sock knitting techniques, making this a fun and practical guide for everyone getting started with socks.

In addition to the techniques there are knitting patterns for eight different beginner-friendly socks to try out your sock knitting skills. So, grab a copy now and start making beautiful hand-knitted socks today!

Genres: Crafts, Knitting, Nonfiction

126 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 12, 2025

Reviews

[Andi Butler]

I really enjoyed this book! I’m picky about “how-to” knitting books, there are just so many out there with the same information. Just because socks are small, and considered accessories, some newer knitters might think these are an easy starter project; they’re not. I’d say some of that is due in part to the “smallness” of everything you need to take into consideration: tiny needles, tiny stitches, finer yarn, itty bitty bobbles, sweet little cables and colorwork, stretchy cast ons and bind offs, and a pair can also have the same number of stitches as a simple sweater. But, once you’ve given your hands some practice doing these things on larger needles and weightier yarn (hats are GREAT), socks are lovely to make! I like DeSantis’ book because of the large photos, her overall design aesthetic, and her color choices: subtle but not boring. While there’s a lot of white space, it’s tempered with updated neutrals with pops of natural brights. She starts with planning, which sounds like common sense, and it is, but she puts a lot of emphasis on it; beginning with the anatomy of a sock, then techniques (incl. helical or helix knitting) and offering several basic patterns (socks can be easily customized) which makes this truly a beginner book. She also discusses a lot of the “gear” such as stitch markers and progress keepers, which are really important when you’re making any project that has you creating two of something: socks, mitts, sleeves… I checked it out from our library, but it really is a great reference and I’m considering adding it to my own home library. I gave it four stars only because the type is so small. I realize even half a point could increase the number of pages, so it’s likely it wasn’t necessarily her decision. You could use a sticky note, to keep your place line by line, while following the pattern. She does have an Instagram, @ earthtonesgirl and you can see how she’d added a spiral binding to her copy of her book, I’d totally do that too… : )

[Dana]

Bookmarking this as “this seems like a reasonable book to help me learn a craft”.

[MK]

As a super duper beginner knitter, socks are not a beginner peoject! But the book is clear, concise, wihnlovely colour photos. Maybe later this year.

[Jill]

If you’re a new sock knitter, this is a great book to look into! I appreciated some new techniques I learned and a few patterns to try out.

[Savannah]

Denise DeSantis is known for her excellent teaching style on YouTube when it comes to socks. She takes things slow, explains every detail, and provides a lot of encouragement on the way. Her new book absolutely reflects this as well, reaching a new audience of knitters that may not be on YouTube or can benefit from a written format.

Denise's genius, patience, and creativity shines through in every chapter. She talks about materials needed, different methods of knitting socks, planning sizes and patterns, top down and toe up beginnings, how to knit different parts of a sock (including her popular shadow wrap heel instructions), how to finish and block, and several tips and tricks that will aid both new and experienced knitters. She also has eight beautiful sock patterns at the end.

My favorite parts of this book are her shadow wrap heel instructions, her tricks on managing stripes, and her Helical Socks pattern, which I've made once using her YouTube video and plan to make again using this book. Besides having stellar content, the book is itself gorgeous. True to Denise's YouTube and Instagram name of EarthTonesGirl, the book's color palette focuses on earth tones and has beautiful photos of both socks and step-by-step techniques. What an incredible resource for all sock knitters, and one I highly recommend!

Thank you, David & Charles Publishing, for the review copy!

[Lynne Callister]

this book will take the fear out of you, knitting socks, it says and l agree.
You get an introduction to the book from the Author and she mentions her You Tube channel. She says her goal is to provide people with a foundation to knitting socks
She talks about the book and mentions different sections about knitting up and knitting down when you start.
Then you turn over to get tarted. You learn what materials are needed, choosing a size for your socks and also the types of fibre to use.
Then you learn what makes up a sock. Next, onto methods and how to knit socks. What sometimes abbreviations in patterns mean, how do l begin etc?
Chapter six, she calls the fun part and this entails knitting a heel and is it scary. After reading this section, l thought no, it isn't. Very helpful, to the beginner knitter.
A section l found helpful was about Toe options. How you can make your Toe part fit your foot.
she gives you tips and tricks, before you reach the section on patterns.
Full instructions from ankle to longer socks.
There are 8 patterns in the book and l thought this was a really good book to teach you how to knit socks and to no longer fear them.
Well done to Denise DeSantis. l will definitely give knitting socks another go now.

[Beverley]

If you’ve ever felt nervous about knitting socks, this book is here to wipe those worries away—and honestly, I’m totally in love with Denise DeSantis welcoming style of writing with a YouTube channel for extra help. She creates confidence in making socks. She breaks down what makes a sock and how all the different parts come together.
She breaks down what makes a sock and how all the different parts come together, making it easy for even a beginner to understand the construction and adapt it to their own needs. I have a health issue that means that socks are often too tight for me, and Denise offers instructions on how to adapt the patterns to fit perfectly. I especially enjoyed knitting the ankle socks as these are a quick and simple pattern, but there are 7 other patterns for you to try. The patterns offered in the book are stylish, comfortable and trendy. You can guess what everyone in my family is getting as part of their Christmas gifts – Yep! Hand-made socks.

[Eiyana]

Denise's warmth and knowledge about sock knitting are on full display in this guide to "No Fear Sock Knitting", based on her YouTube tutorials by the same name. What a pleasure to have this resource! The photographs in this book are some of the best that I've seen in a knitting/craft book. They are close, clear, and the ample white space also makes this book a pleasure to browse. It's obvious that a great amount of care and consideration went into the creation of this book, and I find it so useful as a quite fearful sock knitting beginner. If I had any complaint about this book, it's that I wish it was spiral bound so that I can read through the text while I'm knitting along. Other than that, this is a perfectly charming, useful, and beautiful book. Way to go, Denise!

[Bonnie]

I have learned to knit socks with Denise's excellent lessons on the internet. She doesn't just tell what to do, but also, she tells how to do. It is amazing, the care and detail she gives. This book is one I have longed for!

[Erica]

I give this book 4.5 stars. Very nicely laid out. Beginner knitters may want to watch the author's "No Fear Sock Knitting" class on YouTube as well. I will be keeping this book for myself and buying another to gift to my daughter (a newer knitter).

[Jennifer Hundertmark]

Yay! Thank you! I have been teaching myself to knit for the last six months, and Denise’s book was perfect! I have successfully completed my first pair of socks and am confidently starting my second pair. Your book, patterns, and videos are great. Thank you, thank you!

[Maria-Veronica Barnes]

All you need to get started on your socks!