the blue blog archives: the other sock book

This book is freaking awesome! Not that Cookie's book isn't awesome but it's Cookie A, ya know: it's innovative, just like the title says, and is full of one-of-a-kind socks. But I'm not sure that those kinds of socks are my kind of socks or everyone's kind of socks. And I'm really not sure that I need a whole book of them. Wendy's book, however, is totally a sock book for everyone. If it weren't limited to toe-up socks, I might even say it's THE sock book that every aspiring sock knitter should have. But then again, why couldn't it be? So what if they're all toe-up socks. I mean, some of us learned to knit on circular needles and have barely even held straights in our hands, but we can still knit all the same things. And some American knitters learned to knit in the Continental style from grandmothers from the Old Country, but that doesn't mean that they're missing out on something. Judging from Wendy's book, a knitting lifetime of only toe-up socks looks pretty darned fulfilling.

And not limiting at all. In fact, Wendy includes a clear description of knitting socks on double-pointed needles, one circular needle ("magic loop"), and two circs, so that every type of sock knitter (even old-fashioned dpn users like me) can feel comfortable using her patterns.

She also provides us with three different heels, including a slip stitch heel (on right) that exactly matches the one made when knitting socks from the top down. I personally love a good short-row heel (seen on left), but this "gusset heel" of Wendy's (middle) looks so clean and neat. I gotta try it! There are also thorough explanations, with illustrations, of the myriad cast on and bind off techniques associated with knitting socks from the toe-up. These sometimes intimidating techniques (like the turkish and figure eight cast ons) are presented clearly enough for beginning sock knitters to tackle, yet there's enough technical stuff here to give an intermediate sock knitter plenty of new challenges.

Wendy starts off the pattern section of the book with a basic sock pattern for all three heel types. Just how your go-to, all-you'll-ever-need, essential sock book should begin. The patterns are expertly written for two sizes in a standard sock-weight gauge but include simple explanations for adjusting them to any size or gauge. And the socks look beautiful, even though they're simply knit up in just white sock yarn! Indeed, all the photos in the book are amazing. I'm telling you, it can't be easy filling a book with pictures of feet after feet after feet. But this book is gorgeous. Each successive sock pattern is knit up in pretty but not distracting variegated sock yarns and is presented with several pictures, showing the whole sock, the specific heel construction, and a detail of the stitch pattern. I can't remember ever getting so many helpful pictures in a pattern book before!

The majority of the remaining patterns are for lace socks. They are lovely. They may not be the most unique patterns you've ever seen - I'm sure you've seen similar ones - but that's what makes this book THE sock book for everyone: all the pretty sock patterns you've ever seen, or something very much like them, are here! Wendy follows the lace socks section with a section on gansey patterned socks - so Wendy! - and then a few mini/mock cabled sock patterns. (She and I are of like minds that less is more in the cabled sock department. Too much bulk makes for unhappy feet.)

The final section is my favorite and includes three patterns for sportweight socks. I love making socks at this gauge! They're just a little bit faster, the patterns are on a larger scale and they're great for beginning sock knitters. And I honestly think her sportweight socks are some of her most striking patterns in the book.

Okay, once you've mastered toe-up socks a la Wendy and you want to do something more challenging, more innovative, or more fabulous, go ahead and get the other sock book, the Cookie A book. Just get this one first.

posted by alison at 10:30 am | in blogging about reading about knitting

Comments

I have the book and absolutely love it!

After I ordered it I had this dread of "what did I just do?" because I wasn't sure what would be in it. Would I like the patterns? Would this book be helpful or would it just sit on my shelf?

I shouldn't have worried so much because the book is so much more than I thought it would be.

I've even joined the KAL on Ravelry that will be knitting one pattern from this book every month until we've knit all the patterns in the book.

I can't wait to cast on!

Posted by: tabitha at May 1, 2009 10:53 AM

Hmmm...I might have to add this one to the list, too! I'm more of a cabled-sock fan, but lace is pretty too.

Posted by: Leann at May 1, 2009 11:08 AM

Absolutely agree. I had both of these books in my amazon cart well before they were actually published. Wendy is an amazing font of information.

Posted by: Malia at May 1, 2009 11:34 AM

I have Cookie's book (I think it came out first - at least it was in our stores sooner.) But, I came thisclose to buying Wendy's book when I saw it. I held off only so there would be something on my Mother's Day Wish List. I read her blog & am totally amazed at the outpouring of gorgeous socks - it seems like she designs a new pattern every week. If my kids don't come through, I'll be ordering it the day after! I have never done toe-up socks - mainly because I can practically knit socks in my sleep top down & they always fit me well. But her designs have tempted me to give toe up a try.

Posted by: Donna at May 1, 2009 12:00 PM

This is a great review - you've got me convinced (says she who has yet to master a really good short row heel.)

Posted by: Mary K. in Rockport at May 1, 2009 12:30 PM

What a great review! I haven't got the book yet because I'm waiting to take a class from Wendy in June at my LYS. In the meantime, I have been picking out Cookie A socks to knit. Two great books in one month, I think I'll give up knitting anything but socks!

Posted by: Kris M at May 1, 2009 12:49 PM

Thank you for this review. I've been thinking of trying socks again, toe-up and Wendy's book might be just what I need to do it!

Posted by: Carla at May 1, 2009 3:53 PM

Ooooh, Kris, a class with Wendy - you lucky!

Posted by: ALISON at May 1, 2009 4:17 PM

I dearly love this book. I love Cookie A. patterns because there are always interesting details to knit, but I always knit toe-up 2 at a time if I can figure out how to do it. Wendy's book is full of my kind of sock and how to make it my own. (And I have a thing for lace too)

Posted by: carpoolknitter at May 1, 2009 5:21 PM

I forgot to mention my favorite thing about 2 at a time toe-up. You can split your yarn into 2 balls by weight, and then just knit the leg till you run out of yarn, or have as much length as you want, whichever comes first!

Posted by: carpoolknitter at May 1, 2009 5:26 PM

Ugh. I know I'm gonna get thrown out of the sisterhood of 21st century knitters for even thinking this, but criminy, we had an Industrial Revolution so that I wouldn't have to pour all my love, my heart and soul into every stitch so that I could watch someone pull my work onto their sharp-toenailed feet and stick them into smelly shoes and sweat all over them. My grandparents met while working at a sock-knitting mill in Seneca Falls NY. I just can't do it...

Posted by: Libby H at May 1, 2009 7:50 PM

This book is on my list of must buys. I am really excited about trying toe up socks.

Posted by: silverarrowknits at May 1, 2009 10:01 PM

Thank you for your review - I've had this book on my amazon queue for a while now, and, being a toe-up knitter, I was very disappointed that Cookie A's book were all cuff-down patterns and have been looking for something else on socks that suits my style. You've just confirmed things for me.

I'm off to buy it!

Posted by: Shelley at May 4, 2009 6:33 AM

OK, you've sucked me into the web of sock knitting. I just bought Cookie A's book for a present. In looking through it it just wasn't 'me'. After perusing this one, I think it is 'just right'. And I like the idea of toe up since I have chubby little ankles, I should never run out of yarn.

Posted by: Robby at May 4, 2009 9:08 AM

I bought it this weekend and LOVE it!!!

Posted by: michele at May 4, 2009 9:30 AM

I've just got this book too, but am still waiting for Cookie A's book to arrive (some quirky thing at Amazon UK, tho' both were supposed to be in stock!!) I have yet to knit a toe-up sock, and this is just the book I need. My next sock will be toe up, even if I start with one of the basics!!! I certainly have plenty of stash to rummage through!

Posted by: Anne at May 4, 2009 10:38 AM

I haven't knit any toe-up socks yet, but have been wanting to try (in fact, it is my unofficial knitting technique to conquer this summer) - this books looks fantastic! Thanks for the recommendation -

Posted by: Kate at May 4, 2009 2:05 PM

I'm so glad that you reviewed this book. I hadn't heard of it before reading about it on your blog. I got it yesterday and it's fantastic. I've been wanting to knit socks from the toe-up, but have had trouble with the heel (I have 2 socks waiting for heels). About the try out the slip stitch heel on my Go Gryffindor socks for the Harry Potter KAL.

Posted by: Jennifer at May 5, 2009 1:08 PM

Thanks so much for the review of Wendy's book! I am so fearful of toe-ups, but if she provides all of this information, maybe I "can" do it!! Thanks again.

Posted by: allison at May 5, 2009 3:10 PM

I have Wendy's book, but I am waiting to cast on for one of her socks until I have finished one or more of the top down socks I have on the needles!

I love that a number of her sock patterns are man-friendly even though there are a fair number of lace socks.

Posted by: Seanna Lea at May 6, 2009 4:04 PM

well, after your previews and good words, I will have to put this book on my queue to purchase! thanks for the review.

Posted by: mary at May 8, 2009 8:47 PM

You are so right about Wendy's new book. It is a wonderful sock book. The patterns are great, the directions wonderful, and the socks beautiful.

Posted by: SockPixie at May 10, 2009 8:07 PM