Resources for the Sock Knitter
Resources for the Sock Knitter
Click on the link to get more information and purchase any of the books recommended here.
Ethnic Designs (Western European)
Nancy Bush's Folk Socks is my favorite sock reference book. The patterns are inspired by ethnic designs from around the world. Each is quite different from the other; all are very pretty. But the real worth of the book is the library of heels and toes in the beginning chapters. Using these heels and toes, you can design your own socks with a custom fit. Highly Recommended Folk Socks : The History & Techniques of...
Kilt Hose and Stockings: Because the author couldn't find any handknitted kilt hose to go under those kilts (only thing that does go under a kilt, apparently) she took up knitting them herself. These are her patterns. Knitting Scottish Kilt Hose and Hiking...
Books with a great variety of patterns
Socks, Socks, Socks Knitters Magazine held a contest. The best of the entries are in this book. You won't believe what people can knit, including an edible sock from shoelace licorice. The patterns are varied, creative and useful, especially the kid's section. There's a little of everything in this book. Socks, Socks, Socks : 70 Winning... Socks, Socks, Socks : 70 Winning...
Socks, from Spin-Off Spin-Off, the hand spinners magazine, held a contest a few years before the Knitters Contest. The entries were published in one of the issues of Spin-Off and that issue sold out immediately. The demand was so great that Interweave Press published the socks and patterns for them in this book. Not just for handspinners, but absolutely a great book to have if you like to spin wool. Socks : A Spin-Off Special Publication...
Vogue Socks This recently published book is the perfect size to take along and has some very attractive patterns. Probably will become another "don't leave home without" for trips. (Socks are the perfect plane knitting project.) Vogue Knitting Socks : Trisha Malcolm,...
And a Time to Knit Stockings Cunningly put together with a knitting needle as part of the binding. A sock for each month, many in lovely colorwork. . . . And a Time to Knit Stockings
Toe Up Sock Books
These books feature patterns that start at the toe (Turkish or Eastern-style)
Ethnic Socks and Stockings This book is more for the sock scholar. Priscilla Gibson-Roberts, the author, has said she could spend the rest of her life studying Eastern European socks. These patterns are generally toe-up (start at the tip of the toe.) There are some interesting techniques that can branch over into other knitting, such as intarsia-in-the-round. Beautifully photographed. Ethnic Socks & Stockings : A Compendium...
Fancy Feet If you become enamoured of toe-up designs or like fancy colorwork, this is a delightful book. It has the best explanation of the cast-on for toe up socks. The colors are gorgeous.Fancy Feet : Traditional Knitting... Fancy Feet : Traditional Knitting...
Socks for Clogs and Sandals If you like Anna Zilboorg's Turkish socks, here are more patterns specially designed for sandal and clog wear. Each has a design going up the back of the heel. Some are textured stitches, some are colorwork. All are very creative. Socks for Sandals & Clogs
Magnificent Mittens Hah! You say, why include a mitten book amongst the socks? Because these mittens are based on the Turkish toe-up sock technique and the colors are unbelievable and because I just like Anna Zilboorg's work so much. Colored mittens with gauntlets and some interesting finishes like fringe and cording, which can be used for other projects. Magnificent Mittens
Interesting Sock Patterns
These books are not devoted exclusively to socks, but have some very valuable patterns. The books are worthwhile in themselves for knitters, thus I feel comfortable recommending them here.
Knitting Around The moccasin sock is really original You will not find this one anywhere else. The sock is designed to be easily "re-footed." The book also has a pattern for "art socks", rather like Norwegian patterned ski socks, and Woodsman Socks (heavy, basic mens hiking socks.) The other patterns in the book are unique and very useful (like a turtleneck dicky for your shirt, and the famous Moebius scarf, plus how to knit a Fairisle yoke sweater using a basic formula) Highly recommended Knitting Around
Free Patterns on this site:
There are several free patterns. Check the list on this page. It will be updated from time to time.
Other Sites with free sock patterns:
http://www.knitting-crochet.com/messto.html Pattern to knit thigh-high mesh stockings. Shown in demure white, but who says you have to make them in white, hmmm?
http://www.frugalhaus.com/tubesks.htm Men's tube socks. Simple, yes, but useful.
http://www.woolworks.org/slippers.html All kinds of sock patterns. A great site.
http://www.panix.com/~ilaine/socks.html Sock calculator or hand or machine knit socks. Online calculator. Input gauge, length of leg, circumference of calf, knee and ankle. Make'em fit!
Do you have a site that features a free sock pattern? Contact us at webmaster@knitsnbytes.com with the subject "Free Sock" and we'll be happy to add your site to this page.
http://www.earthsongfibers.com/Books.html#anchor946187 Sells two videos; Nancy Wiseman's and Leslye Solomon's. Both videos are good for learning to knit socks, if you have no one to show you.