The Sock Knitter's Handbook: Expert Advice, Tips, and Tricks

THE SOCK KNITTER'S HANDBOOK is the "digest" version of Schurch & Parrott's wonderful sock-knitting reference books,  Sensational Knitted Socks  and  More Sensational Knitted Socks . It's small enough (6" wide x 9" high) for the serious sock-knitter to carry along in a knitting bag.This paperback (not spiral-bound) book concisely explains all of the technical sock-knitting basics: (1) sock architecture; (2) various cast ons, heel types, toe types, cuff types, and bind offs for both toe-up and cuff-down socks; (3) tips and hints for successful sock knitting; and (4) a variety of different types of ribbing and sock-body stitches. What it doesn't have (that the earlier books have) are the lovely sock patterns written out in detail for many, many foot sizes.In this book are instructions for the following elements of cuff-down and toe-up socks: 8 cuff-down cast ons (long tail, long tail knit & purl, twisted German, picot, frilled, Channel Island, two-color, basic knitted); 4 toe-up cast ons (Becker, provisional, loop-de-loop, Turkish); 10 different cuffs (e.g., ribbed, corrugated rib, sideways garter stitch); 4 cuff-down heels (French, strong, Dutch, shaped common); 2 toe-up heels (reverse French, reverse strong); 4 heels for either cuff-down or toe-up socks (short-row with wraps, short-row without wraps, forethought, afterthought); 6 toes for cuff-down socks (standard round, standard pointy, gored, mitten, short-row with wraps, short-row without wraps); 5 toes for toe-up socks (standard, reverse gored, short-row with wraps, short-row without wraps, easy); 5 bind offs for cuff-down socks (Kitchener for stockinette, Kitchener for garter stitch, three-needle, gathered, Greek); and 8 bind offs for toe-up socks (standard, suspended, decrease, frilled, picot, super stretchy, Kitchener for k1p1, Kitchener for k2p2).The book includes tips and hints on the following topics: repairing socks; using special techniques to ensure not running out of yarn; avoiding color pools and patterns with hand-painted yarn; changing the size by several different methods; addressing special fit issues (e.g., high instep, thick ankles); avoiding a tight cast on; avoiding gaps in gussets; avoiding ears on grafted toes; avoiding a jog at the cast-on/bind-off edge; adding new yarn; working with multiple colors; improving durability; and working a top-down heel on a toe-up sock. There is also a wonderful chart of suggestions for sock construction choices that will "get the most mileage from your socks".The stitch dictionary at the end includes directions for the following: Roman rib stitch, faceted rib, farrow rib, ric rac rib, garter rib, baby cable rib, seeded rib, Stansfield 12 rib, seed-stitch rib, yarnover cable, beaded rib, little shell rib, willow buds, sailor's rib, open twisted rib, twin rib, slipped-stitch rib, Stansfield #10 rib, cloverleaf eyelet cable, waterfall rib, crosshatch lace, broad spiral rib, shadow rib, slipped-stitch cable, scrolls, 3x3 cable with moss stitch, ridged feather, chevron, and basket check.This is the ultimate quick-reference book for dedicated sock knitters (intermediate through advanced). If you're interested in the spiral-bound or Kindle editions, see the alternate listing:  The Sock Knitter's Handbook: Expert Advice, Tips, and Tricks .

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.

If you buy the 2012 paperback edition, look for the ebook sold by the publisher to get the error corrections (Errata). They have a listing for the 2012 (and also the reprint with the changes). Below the 2012 ebook listing, they have a link to get the Errata in PDF form so you can print the changed pages.

This is a lovely book for someone like me who is already familiar with sock knitting. It doesn't contain any full patterns, rather it's a collection of hints, tips, and various techniques for knitting heels and toes, options for casting on and off, plus a selection of different stitch patterns to add texture, all explained for either cuff down or toe up socks. There is also a troubleshooting section which helps with things like issues with fit, and other problems. I've knitted probably around 75 to 100 pairs of socks so I would consider myself an experienced sock knitter, but I still found plenty of useful information in this book.If I have one criticism, it's that the handy shoe size chart at the end of the book - which gives foot lengths and circumferences for men, women and children - refers to American shoe sizes which are totally different to UK shoe sizes. Nowhere does it say on the charts that they are for US sizes, which could be confusing for anyone who isn't aware of the differences between US and UK sizing.

This is a very useful reference book for sock knitters who wish to know a bit more about the theory behind sock construction, and I can highly recommend it. The spiral binding and clear photographs also make it easy to use.The authors describe and give instructions for a wide range of cast-ons, bind-offs, toe and heel styles, and cover top-down and bottom-up construction for all of these. They also give information about which method to use when, and how to make changes to gauge, yarn weight, repeats, spacings, which are very useful if you want to adapt patterns or write your own. There are sections on how to avoid common faults, how to repair socks, and how to accommodate different patterns of wear, as well as descriptions and illustrations of a range of different stitch patterns.In all, it seems to me it covers almost everything you could want to know about sock knitting to take you from beginner following a pattern blindly to having the expertise to design your own sock patterns, and remedy your problems with existing patterns.However, and this is not really a criticism, just advice to a potential purchaser, I do not think this is the best book for the complete beginner. For that I recommend  Getting Started Knitting Socks  , which is what started me off - the best book ever for beginners, and leaves nothing to your imagination. Once you have mastered the basic sock pattern and understand how to knit socks, then I highly recommend this book by Charlene Schurch - it really will take you to another level and enable you to master the subtleties of sock knitting. The subtitle 'Expert Advice, Tips and Tricks' says it all - it's just like having your grandma sitting next to you, giving you the benefit of her years of sock knitting experience! Getting Started Knitting Socks

I thought the book was for beginner sock knitters, however it's more for experienced people who need a bit of help. I also didn't realise it was Canadian, and I'm in the UK, which means the knitting terms, sizing and wool weights are different.

This book is plenty of tips and tricks to help sock knitters to improve their socks and to fix them.If you know how to knit socks but want to learn more about the different options for heels and toes this book is perfect.It’s not a book of patterns and I don’t think it is for beginners.

I love knitting socks but only stick to one pattern. Whenever I have tried others I seem doomed to failure. I needed help and decided that The Sock Knitters Handbook would be a good investment! I was correct, every question answered and all sorts of interesting projects for the future. The book is full of advice and tips and suggestions....can't wait to work my way through it. I would recommend this book to any keen sock knitter.