Customer Reviews

Sock Club: Join the Knitting Adventure

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is a pleasure to look through. The graphics are well done, the pictures from multiple angles to show off various design elements of the socks and sizing well described. There was only one pair that I couldn't imagine myself making, something that made the purchase of a whole book more justifiable. (and not bad for a book of 23 patterns)
It is a different angle for a sock book, to look at patterns from sock clubs - often difficult to obtain and reserved for sock club members. The cost of these kits is often $30-40 and patterns are not always subsequently available. I liked that there was detail given about each sock club in the back of the book.

I recognized several patterns since I was a member of the Woolgirl sock club and have made one of the pairs. The other positive to featuring sock club patterns is that they were effectively 'test knit' by members of the sock club when they were first published/released. That gives me some piece of mind that there will be few errata.

Since most of the patterns are written for one size, this book also describes how to change sizes, e.g. adding a repeat, changing needle size. For a starting sock knitter that will be a benefit.

In an electronic age when many patterns are now available for individual purchase, this is still worth purchasing and adding to your knitting library.

Sock Club was created and inspired by both physical knitting clubs and online knitting clubs. Many of the sock patters were designed by knitters who have had many patterns published, and some are the knitters first published pattern. But all of them share this--they are creative, unique and beautiful.

The special thing about the patterns is this: in the front of the book, Schurch and Parrott give a variety of suggestions and instructions on how to adjust the size of the sock by altering the pattern slightly, or changing the needle size, or the yarn, etc. For each pattern, they give which specific ways work best for resizing for that pattern.

In the back, there are 5 different ways of casting on (sometimes you need a different cast-on for a pattern to make it work), and the instructions and pictures are pretty good. There are other little tips and tricks for technique, like knitting with a circular needles, wrap and turn, suspended bind-off, and finishing techniques. There's also a sizing chart for men and women, information on yarn types, and a list of sources to find recommended yarn for your new socks.

There are 23 patterns, a million colors you could work with... you realize how many beautiful socks you could make with this book?

Recommendation: This book was designed for the intermediate to experienced knitter. Many of the patters work with lace, cables, bobbles etc. even one with beads, and other more complicated patterning.

Happy Knitting!

~Haleyknitz

I wear knit socks and give them as presents too. My problem is that I'm a fairly loose knitter and 56 sts is the number I need usually. But with this book I am hopeful that I can modify the patterns which call for more sts so that they will also work for me. Most of the patterns have a gauge of 8 sts per inch and my gauge is 7 which means I can probably make most of them. There is only one pair I don't care for. My favorite is a cable pattern. In addition to the sock patterns which are all charted and also written out, there is a lot of information on how to modify and change them to fit. The yarns used are fingering weight sock yarns and the internet information is also given if you want to get the exact yarns as they are from small yarn suppliers.

This unique knitting book is a collection of original designs for sock clubs from both Internet and local sock club groups. All thirteen clubs are described in the book.

The section on Making It Your Size has excellent information on changing gauge, pattern and spacing to make the fit just perfect. There are instructions on six different ways to change the size and fit.

The skill level is mostly categorized as Expert, but some are for intermediate. After reading through the instructions I found a few stitch terms that were new to me, but there were clear instructions to walk the knitter through the process. I find charts difficult to follow so I appreciate that the patterns have both charts and written instructions. I took the pattern Havana Lace, that was labeled as "expert" and decided knit up a sample. I cast on and then knitted about 10 rows of the main pattern. I consider myself as an experienced beginner, but I had no problem following this more advanced pattern. I think if you can handle the double-pointed needles you can handle most of these patterns.

The book contains five cast-on and six bind-off techniques. There are also instructions for wrap and turn, circular knitting, no-gap gussets and grafting. The photograhy in Sock Club is also very good. The pictures are large, and the pattern is easy to see. I highly recommend this fun sock knitting book.

My daughter-in-law saw this book and fell in love with it. She is the knitter in the family and works in rounds or using double pointed needles. In looking at the techniques section, I never knew there were so many ways to cast stitches onto needles but this section show five different ways. There are also charts for foot measurements for sizing the work and weight, skill level and metric conversion charts. This book has mostly expert patterns so make sure your knitter is at this level if you plan to give it as a gift.

The socks are all very lovely and each project has a photo, skill level and a blurb about it. There are charts with most of the patterns so this is another thing you need to know how to read before you can use this book.

The table of contents is divided into types of knitting techniques such as changing elements within a repeat and the pattern is marked with an E. Changing spacing between pattern elements is marked with an S, etc. If you are looking for a specific technique in which to work, this type of contents table will be very helpful. And there are tips scattered throughout and are set off in special colored boxes.

This is a book for your more advanced knitter and for anyone who loves socks!

I'm Noreen, not Terry. Too much trouble to have 2 passwords. Now, about this book - BUY IT! It has a beautiful selection of socks with great tips on adjusting fit, and different heels and toes. Also toe up and cuff down construction. I plan on making almost every pair, and have already done a few. All patterns call for the finer weight sock yarn, which I love. But if you want to use heavier weights, I suggest getting The Little Box of Socks by the same women. Also a great assortment of socks with various techniques and all different weights of yarn are used. I have both and I must say these women knock my socks off. [sorry :)]

This is a great book if you're into knitting socks. There are a variety of designs from multiple authors, offering you the opportunity to try multiple methods. For instance, two different patterns may have short-row heels, but each designer does it differently. It gives you lots of chances to figure out what you like and what you don't.

Great variety of patterns. For some reason, most are marked as advanced level even though many of the designs are be both easy and fun to do.

This book has a huge variety of beautiful patterns. The socks are very wearable, yet practical. I find the section on how to modify the pattern for alternate sizes to be the most useful and will use it for other patterns as well. Also, great are the alternate heel and toe constructions. In addition to being practical the book is wonderful for just browsing and enjoying the styles.

Not exactly what I expected, but some great designs. I will adapt patterns to how I knit socks--many of the designs called for 1 or 2 circular needles. I am more comfortable knitting socks on 4 dp needles. Other than that, nice patterns.