The Sock Knitter's Handbook: Expert Advice, Tips, and Tricks Hardcover-spiral – March 20, 2012

Charlene Schurch and Beth Parrott have joined forces to author a new book: The Sock Knitter's Handbook: Expert Advice, Tips, and Tricks. I am familiar with Ms. Schurch's prior books and they are excellent. This new book is definitely up to her prior standards. Anyone who knits socks would benefit from having this book in their knitting library.The book starts out with 'sock architecture', identifying each part of the sock. This is useful for knitters as they may not know the difference between a gusset and a heel flap versus a heel turn. I definitely found it an informative section. The next section is 'materials' and in this the authors discuss the different types of yarn that a knitter may choose for making socks - fingering, sport, DK or worsted. Along with types of yarn, the amount of yarn in yardage for each type of yarn is provided for different sizes. Next is 'gauge'. We all know that gauge is indispensable for having the finished piece come out the right size. The authors discuss the importance of stitch gauge and row gauge. 'Sock Construction' is discussed next, both top down and bottom up. Different types of cast-ons are are evaluated with a focus on the importance of casting on looselr, Different heels and toes are also evaluated with clear pictures throughout. 'Knitting Techniques' comes next. First off, is the type of casting on for top-down socks with accompanying photographs. Their are diagrams of the various cast-ons that are discussed. Cuffs are discussed, again with clear photos and the various types of cuffs utilized in sock construction. Heels and toes are explored in depth with excellent explanations and photographs. There is an excellent section on the invaluable Kitchener Stitch for binding off. Three-Needle bind off is also explained along with several other types of bind-offs. The 'Tips and HInts' section is great. There is information on repairing socks, replacing heels and toes, and modifying patterns to fit different types of feet and ankles. A section I really appreciated was ways to avoid ears or holes on heel turns, a problem I often encounter. There is a 'Stitch Dictionary' that includes most every stitch you'd encounter in sock knitting with diagrams and instructions. There are 29 different stitches included. There is an 'Abbreviation and Glossary' section and a 'Foot Measurements and Shoe Sizes Section' at the end of the book. The shoe size section includes sizes for men and women.While this is not a book of patterns per se, it is an invaluable addition to any sock knitter's library and covers just about any question you might have about knitting socks. I give it a double thumbs up and am grateful for its thoroughness and clarity.

I love knitting socks and this is the perfect book for me. It’s small enough that I take it in my project bag when I leave the house and it has all the info I could ask for or look for. At this point I refuse to knit socks without it.

I've bought several sock books to date, but this book is so far the best for the following reasons:1) Shows a multitude of sock constructions: top down, toe up2) Doesn't stint on providing opinions on what different constructions may be best for various fits --- for example, short row heels are listed as being a bit shallower and less ideal for a high instep. I've been incredibly frustrated with buying multiple books which don't tell you the pros and cons of different methods. The whole point for me, as a new sock knitter, is that I want to get steered towards socks that are most likely to fit me, as opposed to having to make a zillion extra socks before I get a heel or toe that I like. I don't know why so many other authors seem afraid to say 'this heel runs shallow' or whatever, but I applaud the author for providing enough info that I now feel better informed about which construction to pick for which type of foot.3) Possibly the most useful section -- there's a troubleshooting section on how to fix various errors and/or fit issues.4) Very clearly laid out in format and instructions5) Spiral binding is VERY handy.Frankly, I can already tell I may get rid of the other sock books I've bought, since this books is closest to my ideal sock book.My only critiques are as follows:I'd like to see one or two more heel constructions covered (particularly toe up)-- such as the gusset heel done by Wendy Johnson in 'Socks from the toe up'.I think the section on yarns might be expanded a tiny bit (admittedly I say this after buying some beautiful but not very tightly spun single ply, which I now regret).

I bought this first as a kindle. Great colorful pics and lots of detail about each different part of the sock, plus 4 or 5 ways to make heel flaps, a gusset, short rows, turn, cast on at calf, cast ons at toe, leg, foot, bid offs. Under the pics were links to French, Dutch, strong or common.My head was spinning just trying to keep up. But the info was colorful, and maybe I will need to choose a French heel with a different gusset sometime. Once I got the printed version (I pd twice) it was easier to comprehend. If Amazon actually had employees reading this, someone might see I need a refund. They could match the name on my review to my order hx, etc. But, that’s probably wishful thinking (or is it magical)? There is a chapter on Toe up and another on top down. Shouldn’t be your first sick book, but if you have several others, buy this one in paper.

I own or have read many sock knitting books, and this one stands out above all of the others. Other books might have more patterns or fancy color combinations, but this is the book to go to when you want to know just about every possible way to turn a heel, graft a toe, cast on, or just about anything else. True, it isn't full of patterns, but it has everything you need to make up all the patterns you could ever want. And if all you want is patterns, there are plenty of other books to cater to you there.I'd like to say it is a fully complete guide to every technique you could ever hope to find, but that can't quite be true since more techniques are invented (Sweet Tomato Heel, for example is not in this book) or rediscovered (Nancy Bush's Folk Socks book, for example, has some heels that are not in here as I recall) all the time. But I think this is just about the most complete guide you'll find in one place. I've knitted up tons of socks using only the instructions here and am always flipping back through it to find more interseting techniques I have yet to try out.