would these two steer you wrong??

Posted on Posted in book reviews/events

erica and i are at TNNA this weekend, looking at all that’s new in the yarn world and doing some shopping for upcoming clubs as well. while i’m there, i’m sure i’ll run into charlene schurch and beth parrot, co-authors of a terrific new sock knitting resource

the sock knitters handbook: expert advice, tips, and tricks

whatever level of sock knitting you are at, even if you’re just at the contemplating stage, this book is one that you’ll want for your library shelf. it covers just about every aspect of sock construction and technique that any of us will want to know about

and from every angle too—top down and toe up constructions are thoroughly investigated from every site line

and then the authors go on to discuss aftercare and restructuring as well. wow.

i really love the clever way they illustrated the differences between techniques and constructions by color coding all the areas of the sock, making the differences between cuffs, heel types, gussets, or toe shaping stand out in sharp contrast.

discussion of each sock region are accompanied by closeups of variations in use.

along with architectural contrasts, the authors also present a variety of techniques, and a discussion of the hows, whys, and applications of each. the pros and cons of various cast ons, bind offs, and shaping sts are investigated.

i love that they included this aftercare section—how great is that?

and for a truly customized fit, turn toward the back and you will find a whole section on that

including a guide that will help if you enjoy knitting socks as a surprise.

if you feel like trying your hand at a bit of designing, some stitch patterns are included that are universally appealing and work in a number of sizes and constructions.

now you might think that a book jammed with this much information is a big, heavy tome that will sit on the library shelf most of the time, but no—as you can see it has a spiral binding so it will lay flat while you knit and it weighs surprisingly little, making it a great knitting bag accessory.

this is a terrific little book—just what you’d expect form two of the most experienced authors and teachers in our field. not only are they super smart and talented, they are generous—they have provided a giveaway copy of the sock knitter’s handbook to one lucky reader of today’s post.

if you’d like to win a copy, leave a comment at the end of this post by 9 pm EDST on tuesday, june 26. we will announce the winner in the blog post following.

have a good week and happy knitting!

405 thoughts on “would these two steer you wrong??

  1. I am a big fan of Charlene Schurch’s other books – this one looks like another fabulous reference!

  2. Wow! I do need this book, filled with wonderful information and really great pictures. Thanks for sharing all the goodness inside!

  3. Looks like a great book and resource. Thanks you for the give a way. I hope I win, I have yet to dive into the sock pool!

  4. That looks like an awesome resource book! I’m always looking for more information about better sock knitting. 😀

  5. Hi 😉
    If anything can convince me to knit a sock.. This might just be it!
    Fingers crossed!

  6. This looks like a great book and one I would use often. Hopefully, this book comes to live at my house. Thank you for the opportunity.

  7. This sounds like a fantastic book! I’m at the point in my sock knitting where I’d like to branch out and try toe-up construction as well as a bit of design. Thanks for the opportunity to win a great reference here!

  8. Even though I’ve been knitting for many years, I’ve never knitted a pair of socks. With this book, I’m sure that I’d be able to knit a pair and go on to knit many more pairs of socks.
    Gita
    quiltnb@hotmailcom

  9. Perfect encouragement for a burgeoning sock knitter. Thanks for the opportunity- and for presenting us with your own inspiring patterns and process tips’n’tricks!
    Deb
    🙂

  10. I’m just at the point with socks where I would like to start designing my own, so this book would be a great help with that!

  11. Thanks for bringing this book to my attention. I had not seen or heard of it before now…and by some of my favorite sock knitters too! Thanks for the opportunity. It looks like a must have.

  12. wow – that looks like a great sock resource. I haven’t been doing many socks lately – blumchen is sucking up most all of my knitting time, but I need to start thinking about socks for Christmas!

  13. Looks like a great resource, thanks for the opportunity to own one! Hope everyone at TNNA is enjoying Columbus!

  14. Anne, thank you for another tremendously helpful book recommendation; this is a volume for my wishlist, for sure.

  15. I have been wanting to learn how to knit socks but just didn’t know how to get started. Having all the information right at one’s fingertips would be so helpful. Some lucky person is going to win a fabulous prize.

  16. Looks like a book that would definitely be a great resource. I agree, this will have to go on my wishlist.

  17. I’m knitting my first sock now and am in love! I’m sure this book would help me avoid making many, many mistakes. Thanks for the giveaway.

  18. I love knitting socks. I actually learned to knit by making socks first (My grandma figured start big and the rest will be easy). Though I have my standard sock “recipe” I am always open to new and different ways to do heels and toes and turn gussets etc. I could really use a good toe up recipe. Thus far that eludes me. I love books that teach the basics of the basics, especially of construction. Once you understand why you are doing something it makes the doing easier, IMO. I’d love to add this book to my library. Thank you for the opportunity to possibly do so. 🙂

  19. I’d love to have that book! I have made quite a few socks but still have questions about the architecture and best method for heels and toes. Thanks.

  20. Anne, Just started my second pair of socks,and I love it!!!! I follow your blog daily, and love the patterns. thanks

  21. Even though I have been knitting socks for years, I have a feeling this would be a welcome addition to the library!! Great contest and it seems to be a great book by two experienced authors.

  22. I would love to win a copy of this book! I have made 7 pairs of socks ( still a novice) and still get bogged down with the details of sizing and yarn types so it would be a good edition to the ” Sock 101 library”—thank you!

  23. I love the illustrations – they look very clear and informative! It looks like a great book!

  24. I’m a new sock knitting addict, who still makes a lot of mistakes so I’d love this book to help guide me.

  25. This book looks amazing. I have several of Charlene’s books & they are excellent!

  26. No matter where knitting takes me, I will always knit socks. This book must be in my library – it looks fabulous!

  27. This book would be so helfpul–I’d really like to improve and expand my sock horizons….

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