Socks from the Toe Up: Essential Techniques and Patterns from Wendy Knits [Paperback]

Wendy D. Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Release date: April 14, 2009

Discover a new approach to sock knitting with Wendy D. Johnson and Socks from the Toe Up. This approach, made famous by her popular blog WendyKnits.net, will turn even the most reluctant knitter into a toe-up nut. Knitting a sock from the toe up saves yarn and always gives a perfect fit. And? No grafting! Wendy provides all the how-tos, tips, and techniques you need, as well as the pros and cons behind all of the cast-on, toe, heel, and bind-off options, gleaned from her years of experience.

With more than 20 fun and beautiful patterns, Socks from the Toe Up has a sock for every foot. Whether you like bold textures or hearts and flowers, delicate lace or Bavarian cables, you (and your feet) will be covered here. Even if you’re casting on your first sock, or have been a top-down sock knitter for ages, you’ll find patterns and projects here that’ll keep your needles humming. Socks from the Toe Up is the hands-down best guide for toe-up socks.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School—As readers of Johnson's blog are aware, in the summer of 2007 the author set out to see how many socks she could design and complete as part of the online knitting world's "Summer of Socks." The result is the genesis of this book. Johnson is an advocate of the toe-up method. She starts with the essentials and goes on to include a range of patterns from easy to challenging. The socks are shown in beautiful photographs featuring young models wearing kicky clothes. The patterns are written for two circular needles but can be easily adapted to double-pointed needles or a long circular one; the variations are described and shown. The techniques section includes clear diagrams and illustrations. Standard abbreviations, definitions, and resources are included as an appendix. Errata are available on the blog. A solid resource with interesting patterns and clear instructions.—Sarah Flowers, formerly at Santa Clara County Library, CA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Knitting socks from the toe up has a few advantages: you can try on the sock as you knit, and you can adjust the height of the cuff to the amount of yarn you have. Johnson provides five different techniques for starting a sock with the toe; three different heel techniques; several cast-off options; as well as instruction on knitting using double-pointed needles, two circular needles, or one long circular needle. The ballerina photos show off each sock pattern from multiple angles. The three basic sock patterns allow knitters to experiment with their own creations. Solid or heather-colored yarns are recommended to best display the lacework or textured design (no color-work patterns are included). Half of the socks are lace patterns, and all but three use fingerling weight yarn. Socks are a popular knitting project because of their size, portability, and variety; they can be as simple or as complex as you like. This attractive collection of 23 sock patterns ranges from very basic to more challenging designs; both first time and advanced knitters will find projects here. --Jennifer Palmer

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Potter Craft; 1 edition (April 14, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307449440
• ISBN-13: 978-0307449443
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 0.4 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (81 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,673 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #43 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Needlecrafts & Textile Crafts > Knitting
  • #47 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Needlecrafts & Textile Crafts > Fashion

More About the Author

Wendy D. Johnson is a lifelong knitter who has since April 2002 maintained a popular knitting blog: WendyKnits.net. Her designs and articles have appeared online and she has been quoted or featured in major knitting magazines.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

75 of 77 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of the best April 15, 2009

By Barbara Bretton

Format:Paperback

Glorious photography, extraordinarily helpful illustrations, beautiful designs accompanied by pattern instructions written with clarity and precision. And it doesn't hurt a bit that Wendy is warm and funny and as generous as they come. (If you're a fan of her blog WENDY KNITS none of this will come as a surprise.) These are new designs (none of them are replicated on her website or sold elsewhere) and they all bear the hallmark of a true master of her craft. I'm a cuff-down sock knitter but have already cast on for a pair of toe-ups a la Wendy. (The Trilobites, if you must know!) Yes, she's a friend of mine but believe me when I say friendship flies out the window when you cast on a pair of socks. Life's too short to knit a pattern you don't love and now that I have my copy of SOCKS FROM THE TOE UP in my hands, I'll be happily knitting Wendys for the foreseeable future. (BTW, Wendy obtained permission from Judy Becker to reproduce the Magic Cast-On.)

To sum up, this books works on all levels: great patterns, beautiful photography, clear instructions, a warm and engaging author, tutorials for the novice sock knitter, breathtaking patterns for the experienced. Definitely a keeper!

56 of 58 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitive Book on Toe Up Socks! April 16, 2009

By Aimee M. Abernathy

Format:Paperback

Knit socks? Want to? Wendy D. Johnson's book Socks from the Toe up has something for everyone from the beginning to experienced sock knitter. Starting with an extensive techniques section on parts of the sock and how to knit them from the toe up, there are 3 "vanilla" sock patterns. Following the plain socks are 20 patterns for socks from "Dead Simple Lace" to traditional Gansey patterns. None of these patterns are available in another source with the exception of the "free" pattern released in advance of the book.

The basic sock patterns are all knit in plain white yarn so you can see the techniques in detail, the photography in the book is beautiful and the line drawings are all clear. A new sock knitter could start at the beginning of the book and knit every sock using the techniques and the experienced sock knitter will find interesting and beautiful patterns while learning a little something new! The sock yarns used are all widely available, so you won't spend a lot of time trying to find the exact yarn in "that" colorway if you fall in love with the sock on the page!

I did a full blog review of this book prior to the release ([...]) - and have just started a second pair of socks from it! You can also visit Wendy on her blog - [...]

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars so happy to finally have this! April 16, 2009

By sarah

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

i love knitting toe up socks, and i'm a big fan of wendy's website and her patterns, so i was very excited to finally get this book!

the photography is beautiful and really illustrates the patterns well. plus, the book itself is high quality (the paper, the cover, etc.)

the patterns are all wonderful, and i want to knit almost all of them, but i think the best part of this book are the "vanilla" patterns because they explain in detail the different types of heels AND they have detailed pictures SHOWING the different types of heels.

i think this book would be good for anyone who loves knitting toe up socks or anyone who wants to TRY knitting toe up socks. there are some more difficult patterns of course, but there are definitely quite a few that beginning sock knitters could handle.

all in all, i am VERY pleased with this book and will happily recommend it to any of my sock knitting friends.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Bang for your Sock Buck! April 18, 2009

By Janet Miller

Format:Paperback

Wow! I'm simply blown away by this book. And to think I almost didn't buy it because I don't knit socks toe-up. I do NOW after seeing all the beautiful designs in this book. I will knit every single one many times over. The designs are multi-sized (YES!) and are made from readily available yarns. The instructions are clear and concise and photos and sketches are beautifully detailed. Usually, the most I will knit from a single book of patterns is two or three. Not so here. In addition to all this, Wendy's designs are all fresh and unique, not tired repeats of things we've all seen before. This was the best money I ever spent for a pattern book. This book belongs in the Top 10 list for must-have designs for knitters.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Rockstar! April 16, 2009

By L. Linneman

Format:Paperback

This is one of the most detailed and well written sock knitting books that have come out recently. The photography and illustrations are intricate and incredible. I love the fact that the basic socks were knit out of white yarn so that the reader could see, in detail, the design elements being discussed. A must have for any serious sock knitter!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Perfect Book on Knitting Socks From the Toe Up June 9, 2009

By Bonnie Brody TOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Wow! This book is about as perfect as a knitting book in this category can be.

The introduction is a great resource for ways to knit socks from the toe up. The pictures and instructions are clear and easy to follow.

The sock pattern section wowed me. The socks are beautiful. There are the more basic socks for beginners and then there are lace socks, cable socks and even guernsey socks.

There are at least four pairs of socks that I can't wait to get started on.

The last section has abbreviations, definitions, resources and a chart with different gauges for sock knitting depending on the type of yarn you are knitting with. What more could a knitter ask for.

When I buy a knitting book I ask myself three questions.

Does the book contain patterns that I want to knit?

Are the patterns easy to follow?

Will the book be a good resource for me?

The answer to all three questions is a resounding 'yes'.

The book contains about twenty different sock patterns so there is something in it for everyone. The photographs and diagrams are clear and lovely and anyone who is a sock knitter would benefit by adding this book to their library.