Knit Socks!

by Betsy McCarthy

In this best-selling knitting guide, Betsy Lee McCarthy offers 17 classic sock patterns guaranteed to keep your feet stylishly warm. Choosing the right material for your project is made easy with plenty of helpful advice on the qualities of different yarns, including what feels best, what holds its shape, and what really lasts. You can also take advantage of fiber substitution charts and make your own creative variations on these timeless patterns. Slip your toes into one comfortable and cozy knit masterpiece after another.

Genres: Knitting, Crafts, Nonfiction, Reference

144 pages, Hardcover

First published September 15, 2004

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

i did it.
i became a knitter.

my mom taught me how to knit my own socks when my pleas for her to knit me more fell on deaf ears.

this is an easy book to follow and gives you enough standard patterns and combos that after my first pair i felt comfortable enough altering the second pair's pattern.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm planning to make several socks from this book.

Beware that the instructions for the Starter Stockinette are a little opaque regarding knitting stockinette in the round and transferring stitches for the heel flap for an absolute beginner (which I was while reading this book). I supplemented by watching YouTube videos and Skyping with my mom and all was well.

The novelty yarn patterns have not aged well.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've checked this one out a few times now from my library. I think it's heading to the "gotta buy" list

[Rhenda Strub · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taught myself to knit socks with this. What a dandy little book. I'll keep reading it until I stop making socks I suppose.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

For an experienced knitter, but a novice sock knitter, this book has the clearest instructions for all parts of a sock. It demystified the "french heel" and "turning the heel." Instructions are given for every row to turn the heel, showing how many stitches to knit/purl and how many stitches remain on the needle before reversing your work for fingering weight yarn as well as sport weight. All patterns are knit top-down and most give instructions for two yarn types. Patterns are mostly for adult socks though there are a couple for children, too. Chapters in the beginning clearly explain the various parts of the sock and step-by-step directions on how to close the toe with the Kitchener stitch.

Once I had made a few pairs following the pattern, I felt confident enough to experiment with my own stitch patterns for the sock body while following the instructions for the heel and toe. This is my "go to" book for knitting socks.

[Kiera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of all the sock books I’ve read recently, I wish I had started with this one. The overview information was intro-level and easy to understand, but not super in-depth. I wasn’t a huge fan of the patterns, but they way they were written as tables was clever and novel to me.

[Georgene · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first got this book a few weeks ago, I was VERY disappointed in it. Having a multitude of knitting and knitting pattern books, I saw no reason to even produce such a book as this one.

However, upon reflection and having spent many hours looking over this book, I've decided it is worth adding to your crafting library. There are several really good hints on how to avoid some of the pitfalls inherent in the knitting of socks, which this book covers. Some of the ideas for socks are really cute, too.

There are multiple sizes of socks to be made from the patterns in this book: a couple of different sizes for women's socks, a couple of children's socks and, of course, a couple for men's socks also. Not every pattern has directions for every size, but each pattern has instructions for at least 2 sizes and for 2 different kinds of yarn.

So, go ahead! Knit up some socks! I have....I'm currently on pair #4. :-D

[Shawn Bird · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fact that this book about knitting socks is actually shaped like a knitted sock is quite cute, but it does make it a bit awkward to store. There are 15 patterns for children and adults, and I look forward to making several of them over the winter. The beginning section on basics is very thorough, with lots of helpful illustrations. The worst thing I can say is that, due to repeated lack of success with the Kitchener stitch to close the toes, I have happily started knitting my socks toes up, and there isn't a single toe up option in the book. :-( However, there is a section on the Kitchener stitch, so hopefully I'll master it at last?

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is it; this is the book that taught me to knit socks. I have a tendency to over think and over process everything. Knit Socks! spelled out the instructions and stitch counts so I didn't have to think about the dreaded heel turn; it just happened and it was the coolest thing ever for me. Seven years later I'm a sock-a-holic and am almost to the point where I could have a separate room for my sock yarns...

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Looks a tough intimidating. Will 'practice' knitting and FOLLOWING patterns before trying socks. Then this would be a good book for a variety of ideas and patterns since if one is going to knit socks they should be something more than plain and regular.

[Gabriella · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fine book for basic sock knitting patterns. All of the patterns are the same length and fairly average socks - no ankle or knee length, no interesting spiraling or patterns. Just simple socks. Not a bad book, one or two patterns that I will be bookmarking.

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some cute sock patterns that I will think about for a long time, but probably never make. I'm lazy like that. I like my pattern.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything you need to know about making beautiful socks that fit.

[Daisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for beginners.

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I re-read this book. It has some pretty nice looking socks. I am still practicing at making socks and don't have the right type of yarn for the majority of these socks (worsted weight).

[Fangirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good basic book for anyone who wants to learn how to knit socks.

[Ashley Mumpower · Rating 4 out of 5]

Making best foot forward for my husband. This is the first time I've knit socks from cuff to toe so we'll see!

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous socks.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book with many interesting patterns. The instructions were well written and helpful as well.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This might make a good reference book. A lot of good info, patterns, and ideas. I think the ideas could be interchanged to get even more creative.