Customer Reviews

Toe-Up 2-at-a-Time Socks

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First of all, let me preface this by stating that since I learned to knit two socks on one needle from the author's first book I ONLY knit two socks on one needle anymore. So, imagine how excited I was to dive into this new technique! Then, imagine how frustrated I was when I came to the heel instructions. I got comepletely lost, there were so many instructions and explanation of instructions, not to mention algebraic equations I barely got through the heel. And half way through I gave up and just made it up as I went from my knowledge of toe down sock anatomy. I really wish she had included an alternate, simpler short row heel. The cast on for the toe was slick and I loved that! I have even adapted it for mittens. But those heels, ugh, I frogged them and am still looking for a good short row in the round guide. Or enough time to figure it out myself.

Buy her first book instead!!! Two Socks on One Needle. It is a revoultionary technique. It makes much more sense, and only standard knitting math applies. Plus, this book has a picture of the socks on each page of the pattern in each corner making it easier to find the pattern you want. The Toe Up book does not.

If any thing, the patterns in the second book are even more lovely than in the first! From basic to challenging, cables to lace, infants to adults; there are patterns here for everyone.
I followed the pictures and detailed directions step by step for the sample socks and found them clear, concise and very easy to follow. I've cast on my first pair- the Peppercorn Sock- and matched yarn for three more patterns and added them to my 'queue'.
Thanks Melissa for another great book! Can't wait 'til the 3rd!!

I really enjoy knitting socks from the toe-up, but didn't have the confidence to take the skills from Melissa's first book and translate those to two at a time. The instructions are incredibly clear and the step-by-step photography is super helpful. I love that there are a range of styles and socks for everyone. The size information is also super handy. It's really presented in a completely non-intimidating way. Thank you Melissa!

I really enjoyed learning how to knit two socks at a time Toe-Up. I had knitted two socks at a time Top-Down, but never Toe-Up. Good fun. Since I knit so many pairs of socks, I don't feel I saved any time knitting two at a time. I would; however, recommed this process for children's socks or smaller adult sizes. For larger adult socks, I think knitting two at a time is slower by 20%.

I am new to both the magic circle knitting technique and sock knitting in general. I found Melissa's writing style and directions to be very clear. There is only one spot in the basic how-to illustrations that I wish had been drawn a little differently, but otherwise I haven't found any errata. By following Melissa's directions I have successfully finished one pair of sample socks and am about to finish an adult pair of socks and they are fitting perfectly (because of the toe-up process I can try them on as I knit). I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone curious about toe-up knitting or anyone just starting out with socks. One great reason to go with this method is cost. I can afford to purchase one set of high-quality circulars. Another similar method requires two pair of circular needles--I can't afford to throw away money like that. Using DPNs means knitting one sock at a time, and that comes with problems of its own. So, for me, this is the best method I have found to date.

Toe-Up 2-At-A-Time Socks expands on the author's first 2-at-a-time concept for knitting, teaching knitters how to knit socks starting from the toe rather than the cuff. By working toe-up, knitters can check sizing as they are being knit and can quickly assess yarn usage in the process. Any knitting library will find this a popular pick.

Maybe it's just me, wanting to learn something and getting ahead of myself, but I find this book very confusing! I'm new to knitting, but I've learned the basics pretty fast and wanted to try socks, and of course, making two at a time sounded better than one at a time, so I ordered this. But I think it was a mistake. The sock patterns are lovely, and learning "Judy's Magic Cast On" was very helpful, but the instructions for socks themselves really left me frustrated. I managed, after several frustrating days, to get a pair of toes done on the sample socks, but I finally admitted defeat and took them off ~ they looked terrible! The edge didn't look at all like it should and was loose and more like a mess of knots. The M1R and M1L were a disaster. It seemed like some of the directions were left out, like I was supposed to be able to guess what came next. So, I took a step back and went with making one sock on a long circular as described in another book I have ~ and while the instructions also leave a bit to be desired in this second attempt as well, I actually have half a sock completed and am reasonably proud of myself at how well I've done. This "toe up 2 at a time" left me quite discouraged with myself. Making this first sock cuff down on one long circular has been a breeze! I have recently ordered a different toe up book by Wendy Johnson and just looking at it on line has given me hope of learning. I may come back to this book at to a later date, and maybe be able to incorperate some of it into my knitting ~ but for me this was poorly put together and hard to figure out.

I have both of Melissa's books and was/am very excited to knit 2 socks at a time rather than one. I've been knitting socks using the magic loop method and ADDI circulars since 2007 -- and haven't gotten bored or had a problem with single sock syndrome. I just want to get to the next pair "faster" or at least as soon as I'm done with the current pair.

I read the first 2-at-a-Time Socks: Revealed Inside. . . The Secret of Knitting Two at Once on One Circular Needle Works for any Sock Pattern! books over and over, but I couldn't seem to get the hang of it. So I was really excited to see toe-up. I'm still trying a first pair, and it's going slowly, mostly because I have to keep the A/B socks straight and then count properly as I go. I made the mistake of jumping in without doing a sample pair, so I've decided to restart and do a sample pair in separate colors (one less thing to track).

Melissa's instructions are clear and the design options are attractive without being too boring or too hard to get through all the new technique.

Since getting this book, I revisited 2-at-a-Time Socks: Revealed Inside. . . The Secret of Knitting Two at Once on One Circular Needle Works for any Sock Pattern! and funny, it seems to make more sense. I even started a pair of socks (singly knit ;)using one of the patterns in the book. It was easy to follow with one sock LOL! I really should prove it's easy with two!

I recommend this book for sock knitters at an intermediate level or at least with a 3-4 pairs of socks under your belt. It makes it easier to change gears if the mechanics are second nature.

Please note that this is not a review of this book specifically but rather with ebooks as it relates to knitting and/or crochet instructional books. While I love ebooks there is one flaw that needs to be thought through for instructional books that have charts. How do you print the charts so that you can track where you are? If you can't print, what functionality is provided to help you keep track of where you are? How do you print the charts so that you can make your own modifications for sizing, etc.

Until this is figured out I don't recommend the purchase of these types of books or subscriptions to knitting/crochet magazines. Nice to look at the pictures and you can bookmark but you can't keep track of your projects/charts.

This book is completely and utterly amazing. Socks are much easier two at a time on one circular needle. And by doing them at the same time, they come out looking the same and there is no guessing if you have enough yarn for the second sock. Also, by doing them toe up you don't have to worry about starting them too long. BUY THIS BOOK! You will not regret it.