Customer Reviews

The Enchanted Sole; Legendary Socks for Adventurous Knitters

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Janel Laidman, author of The Eclectic Sole created some rather beautiful and unusual socks in her first book. This book, Enchanted Sole, has even more beautiful socks, in fact, these are truly enchanting. The patterns are named after magical or mythical beings, and try to capture their essence; an Atlantis sock is sea-blue, the Firebird stockings are nothing short of amazing; a two-color black and red design with feathers and fire crawling up the leg. My favorite are the Tree of Life socks, shown in either black tree on a variegated yarn background or in a red colorway that is equally interesting. There are textured socks, texture-and-bead, color, shaded yarns, lace, embroidered, and even what looks like a corset-laced possibly very naughty stocking. (It didn't look all that naughty in the photo but you could make it naughty if you really try.) I hardly saw a pattern I didn't like, which is pretty much amazing as I usually only like about 1/3 of the patterns in any book. In particular, I saw patterns I liked in techniques I don't particularly like--such as La Licorne, which is embroidered and has knitted-in words, to replicate the effect of a medieval tapestry. It's stunning. And by far not the most difficult in the book.

Be warned that many of these patterns are not for the absolute novice. And if you choose the intricate colorwork, remember that knitting fairisle or two-color per row you will inevitably make a tighter, thicker fabric as the strands of the unused color are carried behind on the wrong side. And the fabric is far less elastic, so the fit has to be taken into consideration; you may need to make a larger circumference for the leg and foot than you'd expect if you are used to making plainer socks.

Anyone who likes the fanciful, either in fantasy literature or in their knitting will love this book. I was blown away by it! I'm making the Tree of Life first. Cast on 76 stitches....

A beautiful book, great pictures, great ideas, great patterns, great imagination, just inspiring.

This book has wonderful, unique, one-of-a-kind designs in it; what I like most is that this book inspires me to try and pursue some "think-outside-the-shoe/sock" designs of my own, just to try patterns, yarns, colors... There has not been one book in the past 5 years that got my creative knitting juices flowing like this book.

This book shows so well that there are no limits to the interpretation, design, and creation of one-of-a-kind socks, no matter which virtual-fantasy-fairy tale-Star Trek-actual-world you live in.

I have not knitted any pattern of this book so I cannot (yet) speak for the accuracy of the patterns and instructions. However, I am a really experienced sock knitter, I can take a great deal just from the photographs.

Warning to sock novices: Some techniques are well described and illustrated; however, this book is not for beginners. If you wish to learn how to knit socks, this is not the book to learn it with. But this is certainly the book which makes you want to master the sock knitting in record time, so that you can walk on fairy feet in the future!

Beautiful, imaginative and from-the-heart-book.

Just like Alice in Wonderland, this new knitting book is an exciting fanciful new enchanting sock pattern book filled with origins rooted in legend, myth, and fairy tales. One passion for intrigue woven with words has semblance to a knitter's passion to create.

"Legendary socks for adventurous knitters."

Fantasy Woven in Verse -- the story of Alice in Wonderland was an adventure story spun in a dream while Alice slept. There is nothing more enticing to a knitter exploring a new town than to spy a graphic sign with yarn and needles signaling a yarn shop. Like Alice, dreaming by the riverside, yarn shops and their communities of knitters are spinners of dreams.

Indeed, the world of the passionate knitter is filled with fantasy and illusion. The Enchanted Sole has patterns for a Queen: "Galadriel ruled over the Elven land of Lothlorien with wisdom and grace," these socks are laced up the back and tied at the knee with satin ribbons. La dame a la licorne, a series of medieval tapestries is the origin for Ms. Laidman's "La Licorne" socks designed with a banner at the top proclaiming "to my only desire" in French "a mon seul desir" with a field of embroidered flowers and a bunny peeking out from the heel, could it be Alice's flummoxed rabbit?

The Enchanted Sole -- pattern fascinations for sock knitters where dreams were the incentive and now can be real. Detailed instructions with step by step photographed images for "pick up wrap", "kitchener stitch", "bead placement" and "clustered stitches", just to name a few. Twenty fanciful patterns, all beautifully photographed in a sturdy binding for safe-keeping. The illustrations are created by the author, as the front cover where you see the real "Tintagel" socks with pearls laid into the original illustrated graphic, just superb work all round, a treasure to behold.

Once upon a time - The Enchanted Sole with "legendary patterns fit for queens, and pixies, and alchemists" is Janel Laidman's latest book for sock knitters. Spun, seemingly magically, from Ms. Laidman's talented hand, this book is a regal treat for experienced sock knitters. With designs for sox whose design roots lie in tales of the gothic medieval and King Arthur, but still quite wearable in our modern times, Janel Laidman has created a feast of patterns with names like Firebird, Atlantis, Snow Queen, Changeling, Tristan & Isolde, Pixie and more, with unusual construction and promises of exceptional fit.

I was so chuffed when I opened the book. Could imagine socks knitted from my handspun. The designs are very exciting and patterns thoughtfully written. I have already ordered Janel Laidmans other sock book. Twelve year old Grandson (freaky child) has already placed his order for next winter. Highly recommended for the open minded, of all ages. Laceknitterwoman.

I adore this book. The patterns are creative and innovative, but very easy to follow. Some of the charts are small print, but nothing a trip to Kinko's can't fix. I highly recommend this book to intermediate to experienced sock knitters.

I was one of the test knitters for this volume (Tintagel and Mermaid). Like her first book, Janel has put together a collections of absolutely unique and elegant socks. This book focuses on the whimsical and fantastic, without ever sacrificing wearablity. You will be looking for things to wear so that these lovely creations are not covered up.

These designs probably would not suit someone who wanted to first learn how to knit socks, but they are not out of reach of the novice knitter. I had only been knitting a little over a year when I tackled these designs for the first time, and I had no trouble. Her patterns are clearly written, and beautifully presented. These patterns are particularly suited for gift knitting - the end results are something to treasure!

Both this book and her first book (The Eclectic Sole)are both great additions to a sock knitting library.

I have only two problems with this book. I have to try to decide which patterns I'm NOT going to knit, and which ones I'm going to be able to give away. It's brilliant. the book includes every technique, toe-up, cuff-down, lace, cable (in unusual ways) colorwork, embroidery. Ev.ery.thing!! Beautiful designs, masterwork patterns. I can't wait to start putting them out, beginning with the first pattern in the book, Tintagel. that one, happily, is an easy one to decide, I'm keeping it for myself.
If you're a beginner intending on being advanced soon, go ahead and get this one, I think it could inspire you, and also it's a safe bet that it will go up in price. Don't attempt any of the pieces though, until you are solidly intermediate. This isn't a book to learn from, but it's sure a book to grow with.

I was hesitant about buying this book because the cover is a little "hokey". But what a delight!! This is not your everyday, ordinary sock book. The patterns are well written with an opening message about the inspiration for each sock. Definately not a "beginner" book! But very fun and exciting for those of us that are way beyond "beginner". She has given us a fresh new look at socks! THANK YOU!!

I bought this book for my sister, who is an award winning knitter, for her birthday. Being a knitter myself, I loved how the patterns flow and the designs that are in the socks. My sister loves the book and has plans to start a project soon. The designs are well put together and the charts are well written. This book is for advanced knitters.

I love this book. I never thought that socks could be romantic but these patterns make some of the most beautiful, romantic socks I've ever seen. They make you feel like your head is in the real world but your feet are stepping through the cobblestone streets or forest paths of your favorite fairytale and that is a surprisingly nice feeling. When I finished my first Tintagel sock (they're the ones on the cover), I held it in my hands like it was something out of a museum that I was allowed to hold for a moment. I'd never been so in awe of a sock before.

I know this seems like hyperbole but I am not generally a sock knitter so when I find something that makes me this excited, I have to let people know.

On the technical side, I found the directions well written and the charts easy to follow. I will warn that for some reason these socks tend to turn out a little large, so people with smaller feet/ankles may want to adjust their needle sizes. This worked out perfectly for me because I have big feet and sturdy ankles, so intricate socks that fit are sometimes hard to find and these fit like a dream. This is probably another reason why I'm getting a little overzealous with my praise. It's not just that they're beautiful, it's that they're beautiful and I can make them (even though my sock knitting experience is limited) and, most importantly, *I can wear them*.

I read some criticisms on Ravelry.com about her heel construction on Tintagel and was almost tempted to substitute a basic short row heel but I'm glad I stuck with the pattern in the book. The heel pattern made a comfortable and attractive heel and I actually think the next time I'm making basic, no-pattern socks I'll use her heel instead of the simpler short row heel. It's worth the few extra minutes.

Also, I see that a lot of people are mentioning that this book isn't good for beginners. Although that's a fair point because a lot of these patterns have intricate colorwork or charts, I found that the book takes extra care to help more novice knitters by providing a glossary and instructions (with pictures!) in the back of the book which covers everything from basic cast-ons that most of us are already familiar with to some of her more unusual stitches like clustered stitches, etc. In one pattern I found myself doing no fewer than 5 things I'd never done before and it turned out beautifully. Some books are snooty and have an air of "if you don't already know this by now, then perhaps you should just go get one of those "...for Imbeciles" books". Some books turn things like knitting into exclusive clubs where you're either good enough or you're just wasting everyone's time. This book wants you to succeed. This book is written to make anyone of any skill level comfortable and encouraged. Yes, some of the things are a little more difficult than beginners might be used to but if you're a beginner looking to step outside your comfort zone, this is the book that will hold your hand while you do it and let you feel like you can do anything.

I'm so glad I bought this book. I hope she makes a second volume. I'm absolutely smitten.