81 of 82 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not a Bad Little Sock Book!, December 10, 2008
This review is from: Toe-up Techniques for Hand-knit Socks (Paperback)
Knitting socks is portable fun. That said, many sock knitters have their favorite techniques and there are two main choices: toe-up or top-down. Most books cover top-down, gusset/flap heels, whether on two circular needles or on 4/5 double-points. What I (and many other knitters) wanted was a book of toe-up patterns. Most sock books don't have more than one pattern for them. Hooray, a book of nothing but toe-ups!
No Kitchener Stitch needed here. If you ask sock knitters what they dislike most about knitting socks top-down, I'll bet you my favorite circulars they'll say Kitchener. I don't worry about losing my needles, by the way. (If there's a close second, it's Second Sock Syndrome. More on avoiding that below.)
I have to admit I bought this book sight unseen because of the title, since I'm a fan of toe-ups with short row heels. To my surprise, fully half of this little book consists of instructions. There are four short-row heel patterns, and two gusset-and-flap patterns, and one pedi half-foot pattern for clogs and summer shoes. That's it. If you have wide or large feet also be aware the patterns don't go up that large; you will have to modify the pattern counts.
The instructions are for double-points only; I wish someone would put out a book for toe-ups with circular AND double-point examples. I had hoped this book was going to be it. I was wrong. For a book with both instructions, search for Cat Bordhi's sock books, but be aware most (if not all) of the patterns in her books are top-down. They're also not for beginners.
Still, this little sock book is worth getting. After all, if you've never knit socks before, this book will get you started. Toe-up socks are really good for one thing, which is why I like them: it's almost impossible to run out of yarn to finish the toes, since you did them first. Running low on yarn while making a toe-up? No problem. Just
make your knee-highs calf-high, or even anklets. You'll still get socks. If you're making top-downs, you're either frogging or deciding you really wanted another pair of legwarmers (or, worse, running and calling around to find just one more skein of sock yarn in your dye lot to get them done. Of course, that's when you won't ever find one and must make an odd two-tone sock, one you'll always wear in clogs or boots). It's also easier to fit toe-up socks to your foot, heel, and ankle as you make them.
Combining this book with any of the knit-two-socks-at-a-time books is a perfectly wonderful idea, since circular needle techniques used for two-at-a-time are the same whether you go up your socks or down, only the patterns are different. Most of the current two-at-a-time books consist solely of top-down patterns. Still, I'd suggest getting one if the thought of holding all those little double-points intimidates you. Once you learn how to use two circulars you can transfer those instructions to the patterns in this book. That way, new sock knitters, you'll never have to face the Dreaded Second Sock Syndrome. Two-at-a-time means just that: when you get done with one you're done with both, and it's wash, block, and wear time!
Do be warned that once you start wearing hand-knit socks you'll never go back to plain, boring, mass-produced socks again. Well, I don't miss them at all.
Happy feet to you!
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35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not for beginner sock knitters, February 5, 2009
This review is from: Toe-up Techniques for Hand-knit Socks (Paperback)
I love knitting socks, I have always two, three or more on my needles. My favorite method is "top down", creating a heel with a flap and a cap, using a set of 5 DPNs. That said, I wanted a book which shows me how to make a sock with my type of heel from the toes up, in order to optimize yarn use.
This book is well written and explained to me what I needed to know, but you have to know how to knit a sock and need to be familiar with sock knitting per se, it's not a book for budding sock knitters.
Furthermore, the illustrations are not very helpful and too vague. Actual photos are usually easier to follow.
Janet Rehfeldt likes to use only 4 DPNs to knit in the round, which I believe can make the transitions from needle to needle looser and less tidy. Using 4 DPNs creates a triangle, while 5 DPNs create a square: After all, a square is closer to a round circle than a triangle thus creating less tension and pull at the transitions points.
In conclusion: A helpful book for the experienced sock knitter who wants to go another direction in sock knitting (in the true sense of the word).
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Definitely not a book for a beginning sock knitter, February 27, 2009
This review is from: Toe-up Techniques for Hand-knit Socks (Paperback)
This book is definitely not a beginner book. Making socks takes someone who has proficiency in using three double pointed needles at the same time.
It does cover such things as yarn types, how to choose the size sock you need to create, and takes about the tools you need to make them. There are hints scattered throughout the book in light green boxes.
I never knew there were so many ways to cast your stitches on to the needles but Ms. Rehfeldt describes two ways I never knew about. She also describes increasing and decreasing techniques, and "wrapped" rows. Binding off also has more than one way to get this done as well. The seven projects give you a variety of sock types to create from a basic sock to on that has ruffles.
A chart of yarn weights and a list of abbreviations are given at the end of the book but you might want to check these out first so you are sure you are reading the patterns correctly and have the correct weight of yarn for the project.
If your skill level is more than basic and you want to try you hand at making socks, these book will provide several projects for you.
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