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Sock Knitting Master Class: Innovative Techniques + Patterns from Top Designers Paperback – September 28, 2011
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Sock Knitting Master Class showcases methods for designing and knitting creative socks, featuring signature elements and techniques from 16 top designers. You'll learn what makes good sock design, and then dive into knitting 18 spectacular, brand-new patterns featuring the widest variety of techniques.
With patterns divided into two sections by top-down and toe-up construction, Sock Knitting Master Class explores such techniques as cables, twisted stitches, lace, stranded colorwork, entrelac, shadow knitting, and intarsia worked in the round. Plus, you'll discover inventive ways to start and end socks, shape heels and toes, and knit the soles.
Sock Knitting Master Class is an all-star assembly of the most inventive, exciting designers working in socks including Cookie A, Kathryn Alexander, Nancy Bush, Cat Bordhi, Priscilla Gibson-Roberts, Anne Hanson, Melissa Morgan-Oakes, Meg Swanson, Anna Zilboorg, and many more. And you'll also learn how each yarn contributes to the overall design from Clara Parkes.
- Print length184 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherInterweave
- Publication dateSeptember 28, 2011
- Dimensions8.51 x 0.51 x 9 inches
- ISBN-101596683120
- ISBN-13978-1596683129
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Budd's latest book is a trove of expertise, with patterns from 15 of the craftiest sockistas around, no surnames necessary...Every project adheres to the holy trinity of custom sock knitting--fit, comfort, aesthetics. And if you can't get enough of this collected wisdom in words alone, a 95-minute sock tutorial by Budd is included on an accompanying DVD." - Cheryl Krementz, Yarn Market News
"Ann Budd is at it again. She's pulled together another great collection of patterns, this time from master sock designers. There are 17 sock designs, and there isn't one I wouldn't love to wear." - Cindy Koepke, Knitcircus
"It seems like just about all the big names in knitting -- particularly sock knitting -- are featured in Ann Budd's excellent new book Sock Knitting Master Class...In addition to the fantastic patterns, which offer a wide variety of options for both toe-up and top-down knitters (and even one sock that goes both directions!), an introductory section covers just about all you'd ever need to know about some of the design choices that go into making a sock." - About.com Guide to Knitting
"If the designers aren't enough to draw you in, there's much more in here for sock novices and sock aficionados alike. With topics like sock design, toe up and top down construction, and the best bind offs for toe-up socks, this book will take you from zero to sock in no time." - KnitPurl yarn shop (Portland, OR)
"This book is a really valuable collection of patterns and techniques that any sock knitter will use again and again." - Jenny, KnitPicks.com
"I'm really glad to have this book because it has so many patterns, from lace to cable to colorwork, and the socks are all beautiful. Also, the techniques have plenty of charts, diagrams and photographs to make learning easy." - Pamela MacKenzie, MyCentralJersey.com
"The facts alone will make you want this book: 15 of the knitting world's best sock designers, 18 sock designs, Ann Budd talking basic how-tos and design tips and Clara Parkes talking sock yarn, and a 95 minute DVD. All of the technique and yarn information is so well organized and thought out that a knitter could read the book and not knit a single sock and still come away having learned a lot about sock knitting." - Knitty.com
"...the patterns! Beautiful, yet functional stitch designs and fun colors." - CraftGossip.com Knitting Editor
"It's not often that I scoop a book from the top of the review pile and take it home with me, and it's even less common for me to sit down and read it right away. But with sock knitting on my mind, I was intrigued, so last night I sat down to peruse this over a cup of tea. I was absolutely delighted to see that the first chapter of the book is devoted to explaining the whys and wherefores of sock construction. Top-down or toe-up? She's got it covered. Heel flap, short row or afterthought heel? Ditto. Want to choose from a pointed toe, a spiral or star toe, or a toe band? She's got your back with that, too. This book seems like just the right foundation for someone who's ready to strike out on their own - even if the starting place is just switching out the heel or toe treatment for one that suits them better." - Austen Gilliland, craft editor, CanadianLiving.com
"You think you already know everything there is to know about socks? After all, there are a multitude of sock books on the market these days, perfectly good books. You know everything. Except...do you really? Most (though not all) sock books I own are either filled with patterns with not a whole lot of time spent on technique, or they're full of guidance but with blah patterns. Of course, some do hit the balance between pattern and technique. Some are fairly exhaustive, in fact, and you may already have them on your shelves. But...they're not THIS book. First, this boo
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Interweave; PAP/DVD edition (September 28, 2011)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 184 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1596683120
- ISBN-13 : 978-1596683129
- Item Weight : 1.4 pounds
- Dimensions : 8.51 x 0.51 x 9 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #872,787 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #116 in Knitting Patterns
- #1,236 in Fashion Craft
- #1,744 in Fashion Design
- Customer Reviews:
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About the author

Ann Budd is a book editor and the former senior editor of Interweave Knits magazine. She is the author of Best of Interweave Knits, Getting Started Knitting Socks, The Knitter's Handy Book series, Simple Style, Interweave Presents Knitted Gifts, Knitting Green, and a coauthor of Bag Style, Color Style, Lace Style, and Wrap Style, all published by Interweave Press. Ann lives in Boulder, Colorado. Visit her website and blog at www.annbuddknits.com.
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Top reviews from the United States
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With all the books and information available on sock knitting, I just decided to start with this book. I rated it four stars because it was missing some of the info I was hoping to find. This could be for a couple of reasons: My expectations were too high (as a beginner sock knitter, I'm not familiar with what to reasonably expect in a sock book) -or- What I wanted to learn could simply only be learned through experience -or- I misunderstood what this book was meant to contain (again, due to lack of experience on my part).
I did read the book three times through, it was fairly engaging.
Liked:
- examples of common heels, heel stitches for function, and toes
- examples of sock knitting on various needle types and arrangements
- design tips for your own creations
- notes from the designers on why they did what they did
- how to measure the foot and how much yarn to use for the foot size and yarn gauge
- yarn tips for each pattern. Example: If you want to have X result/effect with Y design feature, use Z fiber/yarn
- lots of technique tutorials and instructions (some clear and easy, some a little more complicated but I'm confident I'll understand as I actually try it)
- the patterns chosen use a mix up of components (heels, toes, top-down/toe-up, etc) to illustrate the combos/customizations possible.
- several components/variations explained from both toe-up and top-down directions, including cast-on/off options.
Disliked:
- not as comprehensive as hoped for. I understand they included just the most common heels, toes, etc.; but there were at least as many options left out as there were included. Maybe they were trying to keep the page number or price down or some such reason, but I would prefer to have everything in one book.
- little to no comparison of component choice. Example: A/B/C type heel is preferable for X heel size/shape or Y purpose (working, hiking, etc.) -or- X heel is generally preferable to Y heel because [reason]. Even just saying if there was no real difference between them would have been helpful (if that were the case; I don't know!). I know this knowledge will come with time, I had just hoped to start off with more advice.
As for the DVD, it's a video/visual demonstration of selected techniques/chapters. It's not the entire book on video, but it could be pretty helpful to some. I personally was unimpressed and probably won't use it, but people learn differently so the DVD doesn't factor into my rating.
Although there seemed to be a nice variety of designs (lace, cables, thigh-high, slouchy, etc) I wasn't impressed by the patterns. There were only two (out of 17) which I would consider making as is from the book. But the patterns weren't really the point of my buying the book, so I didn't include that in my rating either.
I'm pretty happy with this book. Again, it's not a comprehensive or beginner book but it will definitely come in handy.
The book includes ten top-down patterns, and seven toe-up patterns. Cast-on and bind-off techniques are illustrated with clear line drawings. Patterns are written out in standard sock pattern style (general information, leg, heel, foot, toe, finishing--or the reverse). Charts are included when appropriate (twisted-stitch and colorwork designs). There is a general chapter on designing, and there are notes and design tips scattered throughout.
A "Design Techniques" box accompanies each pattern. The feature breaks down the sock construction by the techniques used, and provides a "road map" to the page locations for additional how-to instructions on the techniques. For example, Veronik Avery's "Happy Go Lucky Boot Socks" pattern uses these techniques: (1) top down construction, (2) designing with slip stitches, (3) working with five double-pointed needles, (4) any elastic cast-on, (5) round heel, (6) wedge toe, and (7) Kitchener stitch.
All of the patterns are beautiful, as you would expect from these famous sock designers: Cookie A., Nancy Bush, Anne Hanson, Veronik Avery, Deborah Newton, Evelyn A. Clark, Meg Swansen, Ann Budd, Chrissy Gardiner, Kathryn Alexander, Priscilla Gibson-Roberts, Eunny Jang, Melissa Morgan-Oakes, Anna Zilboorg, and Cat Bordhi.
The book also includes a 95-minute DVD. Ann Budd discusses the individual projects (displaying the actual knitted samples and describing the techniques each uses), and demonstrates the knitting techniques. If you learn best by watching someone else knit, you will really like this "bonus" DVD. Because of the DVD, the book can dispense with step-by-step still photographs of the more complicated techniques, and include many more close-ups of the knitted socks themselves.
As a pattern book, I rate this at 5 stars; as a technical reference book, at 3.5 to 4 stars. My favorite Ann Budd sock knitting book is still Getting Started Knitting Socks , for new knitters. Two really excellent sock-knitting reference books are The Sock Knitter's Workshop: Everything Knitters Need to Knit Socks Beautifully , for somewhat experienced knitters; and Sensational Knitted Socks , for all knitters, regardless of experience. Two personal favorite sock-knitting books are Folk Socks , which has a lot of interesting patterns and good general instructions; and Lucy Neatby's Cool Socks Warm Feet , a very popular book by my favorite designer, who is probably the most technically accomplished knitter on the planet.
Top reviews from other countries
1. Few of the patterns are easily adjusted for smaller sizes than the standard 7.5 inch foot on which many are based. If you are experienced enough to be able to work out how to adjust these socks you probably don't need a book like this.
2. Some techniques aren't covered well such as 'why select a particular toe or heel shaping method?' 'how do I make a narrower sock but still ensure that the gusset and heel shaping works?" These sorts of questions seem to be fairly masterclass questions but the book instead shows how to do different cast ons/bind offs - beginner stuff really.
3. The first pattern I worked from the book has some big issues. The maths for the sock is incorrect or the author hasn't clearly explained why the stitches per inch of the gauge translates into a sock width that is much bigger than the stated size. Having looked at this pattern in Ravelry and comments from other knitters it seems as though the author has missed out some precise instructions relating to how tight a loop needs to be pulled in one of the stitch types. This leaves the reader with a huge variable to contend with and one that isn't really bottomed out until several inches of the pattern are already worked. A good pattern shouldn't require the knitter to have to undo and redo to get the right fit by adjusting the tightness of a cable stitch; this should be made plain as part of the pattern explanation. In a master class book this would be a great teachable moment and it is things like this that seem to be missing. If you don't mind dealing with these issue out of the gate then you'll enjoy the patterns as there is a nice variety of stitch types and some scope for an experienced knitter to adapt them to suit. If you are an intermediate or beginner sock knitter then other books may offer you more.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 22, 2022









