The Eclectic Sole; Socks for Adventurous Knitters [Perfect Paperback]

Janel Laidman (Author, Editor, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 21, 2008

The Eclectic Sole is a collection of exciting and diverse sock patterns that will delight both new and experienced sock knitters with a little something for everyone. Styles range from lace to stranded colorwork to cables with an occasional touch of whimsy. Some socks feature unusual construction, others beautiful graphic elements. One pattern even comes with holes built in (no darning necessary)! Each chapter is beautifully illustrated with pictures of the socks, and an inkling of the inspiration behind the pattern. Detailed yarn information, including color recommendations and WPI information, make it easy to substitute yarns from your own stash so you'll be able to sit down and begin one of these lovely patterns right away.

Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Rustling Leaf Press; 3rd,Revised edition (May 21, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0981497209
• ISBN-13: 978-0981497204
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #887,439 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Janel Laidman grew up in Southern California, where the weather is hardly ever sweater weather. However, knitting must have been in her DNA, because she began to knit about 30 years ago when she was an exchange student in Denmark. She has always been a do-it-yourselfer so designing was a quick and logical step for her. Janel's first two books, The Eclectic Sole and The Enchanted Sole are about knitting socks, and Janel's creative design style shows you just what you can do with these humble foot coverings. Janel is an avid hand spinner as well as knitter. These days Janel knits, spins, and dreams in Eugene, Oregon where she always hard at work on her next endeavor.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

86 of 87 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OMG this is GREAT!!, June 9, 2008

By 

KCD "knitting knurse" (Lexington, KY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Eclectic Sole; Socks for Adventurous Knitters (Perfect Paperback)

Ok. I'm in love with an inanimate object. This book is great. The patterns are clear. They are both written out AND charted, depending on what you like. And the patterns... <did I mention the patterns??>.. They are engaging, attractive and have different levels of challenge.

Something else I love about this book ----->
Did you ever wonder what a symbol means in the chart? Seriously, who doesn't at one time or another? In the back in the "Chart Key And Techniques" section, not only are there very good pictures of how to do one thing or another, the chart symbols are right next to the pictures of the techniques. Very easy to follow. I'm all about being able to understand something. Trust me on this one.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New Socks, July 25, 2008

By 

U. Bogdan "Spindelchen" (Germany) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Eclectic Sole; Socks for Adventurous Knitters (Perfect Paperback)

The Eclectic Socks has 14 very interesting and well described sock patterns, some of which are rather excentric in approach. Although there are so many sock books on the market, that sometimes one wonders if another one is really needed, I can highly recommend this book. Janel Laidman has - like Cat Bordhi - a refreshingly unconventional view on socks and enough confidence in her readers to share every piece of information with them. I was not disappointed.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars If You Have a First Printing - BEWARE!, December 12, 2008

By 

B. B. Himes "knit wit" (NC, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Eclectic Sole; Socks for Adventurous Knitters (Perfect Paperback)

I love the socks in this book, but hate all the errors! Make sure you check the website for erratas before beginning your project. THE FIRST PRINTING HAS MANY PATTERN ERRORS. Unfortunately, you can't tell which printing you'll get when ordering.

I also had sizing trouble with the socks, so a listing of finished sizes would help a lot. Also, the pattern shown for the cover does not knit up as shown - it knits a straight edge across the top of the toe, not the triangular style pictured.

Great patterns though.