The Sock Knitter's Handbook: Expert Advice, Tips, and Tricks [Hardcover-spiral]

Charlene Schurch (Author), Beth Parrott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 19, 2012

Love knitting socks but sometimes hit a snag? Carry this handy answer book in your knitting bag! Well-known experts Charlene Schurch and Beth Parrott demystify all aspects of sock knitting.
* Find clear instructions for both toe-up and cuff-down sock knitting
* Learn multiple techniques for knitting: casting on and binding off, working heels and toes, making size adjustments, and more
* Browse a stitch dictionary of favorite texture patterns; find options for creating your own unique socks

Editorial Reviews

Review

This is a comprehensive handbook for knitters who love, or would like to love, knitting socks. It's loaded with information appropriate for beginners and experts alike, yet it's compact enough to fit easily in a small knitting bag. The opening line of the introduction sets the stage, "All things are difficult until they are easy." Schurch and Parrott aptly apply this to sock knitting, which often mystifies even experienced knitters, and they go on to offer a wonderful guide to make the process easy. The photographs of the different types of heels are reason enough to spend time with this book! --Knit 1.2.3 Magazine

Socks are fun to knit. Toe-up, cuff-down, double pointed needles, circular needles, one at a time, two at a time and then there are still creative decisions to be made. Sock knitting is addicting. You have either made many pairs or never knitted a pair but, socks have crossed your mind.


Charlene Schurch and Beth Parrott have come out with The Sock Knitter's Handbook, expert advice, tips, and tricks. "All things are difficult until they are easy." Socks compromise several diverse techniques that are each knitter friendly, in their own way.


The book itself is small enough to carry in your knitting bag. It is also spiral bound, allowing the book to lie flat when in use. The many photographs are clear and close-up to show detail.


From the architecture to the construction, you will learn all you need to know about knitting socks. There are different variations for casting on, binding off and a variety of heels and toes. There are answers to repairing socks, changing the gauge, avoiding color pooling, adding a motif, special fit issues, improving the durability of the sock and much more.



As if this wasn't enough, there is a stitch dictionary section with 29 stitch charts to help you design a sock with stitches of your choosing. If you are a sock knitter or want to become one, this book will answer your questions and offer helpful solutions to creating a great sock. It's a sock handbook reference guide. --Paula Moliver for the Hartford Knitting Examiner

About the Author

Home: Moore Haven, Florida

Charlene Schurch, a knitter since before she could read, is fascinated with the historical and technical aspects of knitting. She's the author of numerous books, and her work has been featured in Knitter's, Interweave Knits, and Piecework magazines. In addition to knitting, she's an avid spinner and dyer. She teaches on the national level for guilds, folk schools, and fiber festivals.

Home: Charleston, South Carolina

Although Beth Parrott has been knitting for more than 60 years, until recently she designed socks and other garments only for family and for charity projects. She loves to teach and is an avid collector of tricks-of-the-trade and tidbits of information that make knitting easier.

Product Details

• Hardcover-spiral: 128 pages
• Publisher: Martingale & Co Inc; Spi edition (March 19, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1604680466
• ISBN-13: 978-1604680461
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #227,482 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Thorough and Clear - A Must-Have for Sock Knitters March 30, 2012

By Bonnie Brody TOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover-spiral|Amazon Verified Purchase

Charlene Schurch and Beth Parrott have joined forces to author a new book: The Sock Knitter's Handbook: Expert Advice, Tips, and Tricks. I am familiar with Ms. Schurch's prior books and they are excellent. This new book is definitely up to her prior standards. Anyone who knits socks would benefit from having this book in their knitting library.

The book starts out with 'sock architecture', identifying each part of the sock. This is useful for knitters as they may not know the difference between a gusset and a heel flap versus a heel turn. I definitely found it an informative section. The next section is 'materials' and in this the authors discuss the different types of yarn that a knitter may choose for making socks - fingering, sport, DK or worsted. Along with types of yarn, the amount of yarn in yardage for each type of yarn is provided for different sizes. Next is 'gauge'. We all know that gauge is indispensable for having the finished piece come out the right size. The authors discuss the importance of stitch gauge and row gauge. 'Sock Construction' is discussed next, both top down and bottom up. Different types of cast-ons are are evaluated with a focus on the importance of casting on looselr, Different heels and toes are also evaluated with clear pictures throughout. 'Knitting Techniques' comes next. First off, is the type of casting on for top-down socks with accompanying photographs. Their are diagrams of the various cast-ons that are discussed. Cuffs are discussed, again with clear photos and the various types of cuffs utilized in sock construction. Heels and toes are explored in depth with excellent explanations and photographs.... There is an excellent section on the invaluable Kitchener Stitch for binding off. Three-Needle bind off is also explained along with several other types of bind-offs. The 'Tips and HInts' section is great. There is information on repairing socks, replacing heels and toes, and modifying patterns to fit different types of feet and ankles. A section I really appreciated was ways to avoid ears or holes on heel turns, a problem I often encounter. There is a 'Stitch Dictionary' that includes most every stitch you'd encounter in sock knitting with diagrams and instructions. There are 29 different stitches included. There is an 'Abbreviation and Glossary' section and a 'Foot Measurements and Shoe Sizes Section' at the end of the book. The shoe size section includes sizes for men and women.

While this is not a book of patterns per se, it is an invaluable addition to any sock knitter's library and covers just about any question you might have about knitting socks. I give it a double thumbs up and am grateful for its thoroughness and clarity. Read more ›

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Must have! April 14, 2012

By Sandie Mackintosh

Format:Hardcover-spiral|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have been a fan of Charlene Schurch and her sock patterns since I began making socks 2 years ago. Having never knit anything before in my life, i was able to use her instructions and make a pair of socks, with only minor issues. Had this book, a collaboration with Beth Parrot, been available at that time, there would have been no issues at all! It does not include patterns, but assumes that you have a pattern or two already, so just be aware of that before you make your purchase. It covers everything you need to know from yarn selection and the reasons some are more suitable than others, to finishing techniques and everything in-between.

40 of 43 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent content April 3, 2012

By Beverly Shaw

Format:Hardcover-spiral|Amazon Verified Purchase

My copy came yesterday. After thumbing through to check the content, I found it to be a good reference for the new sock knitter or for someone who wants to carry a reference in their knitting bag. However, if you already own Ms. Schurch's other sock knitting books, you probably already have much of the information presented in this book including the stitch patterns. There is some new content, but not enough to warrant purchasing a new book. I'll most likely save mine to give as a gift to a new knitter.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for anyone who wants to or knits socks March 30, 2012

By L. Schad

Format:Hardcover-spiral|Amazon Verified Purchase

My copy came today, and this is one beautiful book. Spiral bound, compact, full of information, information, and yet more information. No patterns, but more toes, heels, cast ons, bind offs than I knew existed. Outstanding.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Works for me June 5, 2012

By Christine A. Brown

Format:Hardcover-spiral|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am very happy with the book and service received. The book has many options to pursue and since I struggle with knitting the heel of socks, this has provided me with options. I recommend this book for all.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Sock Knitter's Handbook October 8, 2012

By Merilyn

Format:Hardcover-spiral|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a wonderful informative book for anyone wanting to understand the architecture of the sock shape and how to get desirable results. It also provides information that frees you up to create your own sock variations if you wish to create your own style and pattern. Beautiful visual presentation - an invaluable handbook!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Sock knitters handbook September 10, 2012

By Merlefriend

Format:Hardcover-spiral|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is an excellent step by step book about sock knitting. Its pictures are colorful and excellent guides on how the different parts of the sock should look. It even includes a stitch dictionary in the back of the book.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars awsome addition to all sock pattern books May 14, 2012

By Lee-Nora D Whitbeckcol

Format:Hardcover-spiral|Amazon Verified Purchase

I knit socks and have many pattern books. This is an excellent book that really makes understanding the sock patterns alot better.