i’m on a plane at the moment, winging my way toward san francisco and a visit with our dear friend cookie. since i’m going to be in the shadow of a sock guru for the next week, i’m not only packing a couple of unfinished sock projects to take along (just to look somewhat on the same wavelength), but i thought i’d leave you all with some food for thought (i’ve been thinking a lot about socks lately, maybe as a substitute for actually knitting them? not sure . . .).
and for variety’s sake, there will be two dishes to choose from . . .
the first is from another dear friend, alice (AKA socktopus), who celebrated a big milestone this month with the birth of her first daughter. while our knitting community rallies around the new family, i though it would be fun to highlight one of her other recent achievements—the publication of her own socktopus book in october, 2011 by taunton press (she’s just had one great event on top of another this past year; go alice!).
while most of alice’s book focuses on a collection of sock design from her popular club (more on those later), she starts the ball rolling with a concise overview of sock knitting basics—things to consider when getting started that will have the biggest effect on the final results.
she delves just far enough into fiber facts, yarn characteristics, tools, fit, fabric, and constructions to begin building a knowledge base, without overwhelming the reader. this is so like alice herself that i had to smile when i read these pages—in her work, clean, clear, and to the point.
the pattern section begins with a basic sock recipe—and i love this—shown in a setting that is anything but. just to prove that you don’t need to be fancy to be effective.
a plain sock in a smashing color is at least as eye-catching as something complicated.
each design is shown at a variety of angles and distance, so that we get a sense of it both as a fashion piece and as a knitted item. i always enjoy it more when knitted items are photographed as part of our lives, instead of as pristine objects on display.
that said, in an instruction manual, we of course want to see the details of each piece to guide our own work. and this book delivers both. nice.
each pattern is accompanied by good-sized, easy-to-read charts; written instructions are provided for the construction points, though not necessarily for every pattern rnd.
in addition, many patterns include tutorials on technique or notes on unusual abbreviations or maneuvers.
the designs are by and large deeply textured with allover patterns in lace, crossed stitches, and slip stitch effects, while maintaining a mostly-girly point of view (though there are several that could bat for either team).
(i love this pair!!)
the textural choices are the perfect way for alice to show off the gorgeous colors of her handpainted yarns, making a great case for such a designer pairing.
the stitches really enhance the colors, bringing out rich background tones and glowing highlights.
if you’re a texture junkie, this collection of 17 designs should be on your shelf—just sayin’. you can purchase a copy here.
now, for those who have read this far, a special treat from the lovely folks at taunton—a giveaway copy for one luck winner. if you’d like to throw your hat sock in the ring, please leave a comment at the end of this post by 9 pm EST on sunday march 4th. i’ll get my friend cookie to do the honors and we;ll announce it as soon after that as i can (remember, i’m traveling; it might not be til wednesday next week)
now, as if all that excitement wasn’t enough i’ve got another great sock book to show you. while it has its similarities, it couldn’t be more different in some ways either, so read on.
this one—by the esteemed clara parkes, fiber guru and author of knitter’s review—also released in october (by potter craft), just about the same time as alice’s and it is also about socks.
but the knitter’s book of socks diverts from the path of the previous book in several important ways and in doing so, rightly wins equal position as a favorite new release for me.
anyone who reads knitter’s review knows that clara is a very thorough investigator. when allowed to unleash her full reporting powers on a book-length project, what she delivers is a thoughtful resource of considerable usefulness to knitters and other scholars of fiber. you want to know that answer to a fiber question? go ask clara (or better yet, read her three books).
this volume delves a little deeper into individual properties of fiber, yarn, and fabric that will affect the outcome of your sock. she also reaches further afield to talk about factors outside the sock itself that will have an effect on your experience.
she takes the sock student from the ground floor (when the fiber is still on the animal) through the fabrication, tools, wearing experience, and finishes off the lesson with some schooling on washing up afterward. nice and tidy.
all of this takes up about half the volume (which is a nice thick hardcover totaling about two hundred pages).
the other half of the book is devoted to sock designs and patterns that explore the concepts presented in the first half (or you can flip straight to those to get started knitting, if you like).
the big difference in this collection of designs is that it is a compilation of many designers chosen by the author—myself and cookie among them. those are our socks, together in the photo above; isn’t that cute? i bet you can you guess which is which, haha. in fact, they appear together an erie number of times, as if we were following the photographer around.
cookie’s sock is really cool—a pattern of traveling stitches that cris-crosses all over the place, but not the way cables do. i really love it.
we are in good company, with nancy bush, sivia harding, ann budd, cat bordhi, and many others, for a total of twenty new and creative designs.
while many of these are indeed girly and/or focused on a fancy motif or construction, there are plenty of choices that will be suitable for men and boys.
clara’s stepping stones design is one and stephen houghton’s salted caramels is another (to point out just a couple)
i love the look of the yarn used for this design; it’s something that david would really like and supports the design beautifully.
this is another attractive pair that has a delicious moroccan feeling, due to the combination of stitch pattern and color. i could see a pastel yarn choice being equally lovely, but changing the tenor of the design completely.
each pattern is accompanied by written instructions in the construction; charts are provided for specific pattern stitches. the charts here are a little harder to read though, which is the only drawback i can see to the book layout.
all in all, a wonderful and varied resource for the sock knitter, whether beginner or experienced—there’s always something new to learn, right?
clara has green-lighted a giveaway copy of her book as well; same rules apply. leave a comment at the end of this post by 9pm EST on sunday, march 4, 2012 if you’d like to be included in the drawing.
thank you to both authors for sharing their wealth of knowledge and skill with us!
i will be back with a report form the west coast just as soon as i gather my wit’s after landing (that could be a day or two, hee-hee and this will give me some leeway)
431 thoughts on “on walkabout”
Great sock resources, either would be a treasure to win.
Wow! Love the socks! Do you know what yarn was used for the cover of Socktopus? Lovely colors.
I just popped by to say hi (SO behind on blog reading), but look! A giveaway! I have Clara’s book already, and couldn’t agree with you more, but I haven’t seen the Socktopus book – one more for the “to want” list… Hope you have a great trip up north 🙂
What gorgeous books! I especially like the second design you showed from the Socktopus book.
Authors like these two are so inspiring! I have only ever knitted one pair of socks but I love them. Some Scottish sock yarn is ready and waiting for me to make another pair. Just need to settle on the pattern ….
I love these two books, can’t wait to take a look at them!
They both look like fantastic books! Thanks for the give-aways!
Welcome to California!
Hello
Both books look fabulous! I look forward to knitting lots of socks and the photos and tutorials and inspiration look great! Would love to win either one! Thank you for the great giveaway and have a great trip to California!
Both of these look wonderful and either would be very welcome with this sock knitter! Hope you have a great trip to the coast.
Socktopus book, please!
I bought the KBOS when it came out and had Clara sign it. But I would love a copy of the other book.
Welcome to the west coast. I have not knit socks for about a year, one of these would be so inspiring.
Thanks.
Yummy! Two sock books, I wouldn’t know which one to buy, maybe Alice’s would be easier, haven’t made that many socks. And maybe I will be lucky enough to win one. Have a great time on the coast. Maybe the weather will be better there than here!
Thanks for the chance to win…………
Would love the Socktopus book,already have Clara’s book and love it.
Thanks for the excellent book reviews! Hope you have a great time here in California!
Socks, friends and San Francisco Bay area. Life does not get better than that. Enjoy!
What a great review of these two books.
I love sock knitting!
I am 1/3 of the way through Clara’s Book of Socks – LOVE it! I had taken a “vacation” from sock knitting but just finished a pair from Wendy Johnson’s book & from Cat Bordhi and now spend all my time reading about socks, shopping for sock yarn, etc.,!
Thank you for the reviews of both books – I would LOVE the Socktopus book to add to my renewed obsession with socks!
Thanks for sharing the books!
Inspirational books! Thank you for sharing. I hope your trip is a blast!
I’m just a beginner sock knitter, this book looks like a great reference! Thanks for showing it to us!
Looks like the perfect reference book for sock knitting. Although i’ve not attempted to knit socks yet, this book appears to be one that would be helpful in accomplishing the art of socks.
I would love to have both of these books. I think I need to update my wishlist. I love reading about sock construction. In the few years I have been knitting socks I have enjoyed picking up all kinds of bits of information and incorporating them into my own sock knitting. Thanks for sharing.
Such beautiful books – lots of inspiration here! Just getting back into sock knitting after a few years hiatus – either of these books would be a wonderful addition to my knitting library – thanks for the offering.
Oh my goodness, such lovely books. I’m crazy about Clara Parkes’ books, but I don’t have the sock one yet! The other looks amazing, too.
Thanks for the generous giveaway!
Yay a giveaway. I would love to win Socktopus.
wow – both sock books look awesome. I was just on a knitting retreat this weekend and was thinking it was time to knit some more socks for me! Most of the socks that I have knit go to other folks.
Please please please…I love Soctopus and have been following her blog for a short time now. Her book is gorgeous and would be a welcome addition to my shelf and yarn :).
Limited number of sock books in my knitting library. Lovely images, I would be happy with either of these books.
ooooo! I would love to add either book to my library! I have been admiring both for a while!
I would love either of these books, what beautiful patterns!
These two books look absolutely wonderful. Thank you for the great book reviews and the lovely picture out of the plane window. I recently jumped into sock knitting and I am obsessed. It sounds like these two books would be great resources for someone like me who devours all information sock related. I just love everything about knitting socks. Sock yarn. Cool patterns. Unusual heal turns. Love.
Thanks for the great book reviews! I’d love to have them…
I took Clara’s book out from the library, and it has an absolute wealth of information in addition to the awesome patterns. I haven’t seen Alice’s book, though, but I’m sure it’s also great. I’d be really happy to win either book.
Mmm, socks… Both books look fabulous and have me itching to cast on for a pair.
I really need to get on with some socks…my feet are cold!
This book has been on my wishlist for a while. Love the blog!!
Those both look like fantastic books!
And maybe it’s just because I’m on a bead kick, but I think your pattern would look fab with some subtle beading!
Love, love, love these- both look great! I have so much sock yarn awaiting!
Both of these look like fantastic books for the discriminating sock knitter. Will look into purchasing them if I’m not lucky enough to win one.
I’ve seen both books, and they are really great! Thanks for the chance to win one.
wonderful opportunity!! I already have Clara’s book, but I’d Love to have a shot at Socktopus!
Socktopus sounds great. I would love it!
Socktopus looks great.
I’m just knitting my first pair of socks. Now I want to finish them so I can cast on some more!
Both books look fabulous. Thank you for the chance to enter.
I would be thrilled to receive either of these books. This is my year to master sock knitting and these books would be a great inspiration.
I went and checked Socktopus out of the library just so I could drool over the beautiful photos some more. I learned how to knit just so I could knit socks for myself. I would love to add this book to my collection.
I would love a copy of Socktopus! I received Clara’s book as a Christmas gift and I love it!
I would love Clara’s book; I haven’t had a chance to see the inside pages until you posted, and now it is definitely on my “want” list! Beautiful patterns! Already have the Socktopus book which I bought for myself as a Christmas present.
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