Favorite Socks: 25 Timeless Designs from Interweave

This is a sock collection for the true sock knitting fan who can never get enough patterns. I especially like the lace socks on the cover, but there many styles and techniques included in the book.

Socks have long been a popular item for knitters to make. Portable and requiring relatively small amounts of yarn, they can be as complicated or as simple as a knitter desires. For many knitters, they are the perfect way to try out a new technique while make something inherently useful, and ensure that loved ones' feet are kept warm. From the second issue of Interweave Knits, sock patterns have been an integral part of the popular magazine. Ann Budd and Anne Merrow have combed the archives and selected seventeen of their favorite designs for inclusion in Favorite Socks: 25 Timeless Designs from Interweave. From Meida's Socks, Estonian-inspired lace socks by Nancy Bush (1997), to the Waving Lace Socks, a popular design by Evelyn A. Clark featured on the book's cover (2004), there is sure to be an old favorite for everyone. Patterns have also been pulled from sister publications PieceWork and Spin*Off, offering patterns that many knitters have never seen before. To round out the collection, six new patterns have been included. Many of the original issues of Interweave Knits have gone out of print and Favorite Socks ensures these patterns are accessible for a new generation of knitters. Besides providing many classic patterns, this collection also includes a helpful tutorial on knitting socks on two circular needles, instructions for making resoleable socks and both toe-up and top-down instructions. Published with a hardcover and a spiral binding so the book opens flat, Favorite Socks is sure to win pride-of-place in many knitters' libraries. Patterns range from the basic Retro Rib Socks suitable for beginning knitters (Winter 2004 issue) to the elegant Anniversary Socks in a cashmere/silk blend (PieceWork, Sept/Oct 2003) or the Eesti Trail Hiking Socks in colorwork (Winter 1997) for knitters who seek more of a challenge. A Knitalong (KAL) has already poppedup at www.favoritesockskal.blogspot.com for Favorite Socks and is open to anyone who wishes to join. As the organizers state: "This is the place to share your photos, suggestions for yarn substitutions or variations, or any other creative ideas related to the patterns from the book." Armchair Interviews says: Warm feet will sound good in winter.

Your thinking "I have the magazines why buy this book". This is a great book. I would love to knit each of these socks. The spiral edge should be on every knitting book. The size of this book is great for carrying in a purse or medium size knitting bag. The patterns are easy to read and follow. I can not wait to cast on and start knitting. This is a must have for sock knitters.

I absolutely loved this book. I have always been a fan of the Interweave Knits publications, but this book is amazing. there are beautiful patterns that you would actually wear and the great thing is that you don't have to knit them all on #000 size needles. I loved at least 1 thing about all of the patterns in this book and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes to knit socks.

I love this book. I've only actually followed one of the patterns in it, so far, but I've decided I'm going to knit all of them just because there is so much variety here. There are patterns that would appeal to just about everyone. The directions are consistently clear with crisp color photographs showing the completed socks. I could verify one of the steps for the socks I made by looking at the picture. I also like the perfect cover and spiral binding. It lies open flat and the book is just the right size to slip into my knitting bag. I would buy other books from Interweave Press, especially if they used the same format and binding.

These 25 sock patterns are taken from various issues of Interweave Press magazines such as "Interweave Knits" and "Piecework" and "Spin-Off." These magazines are foremost in the world of fibers and once in a while, one of the magazines issues features a sock project. I predict that, just like the earlier book of Spin-Off contest socks which became a best-seller in the knitting world, this book of favorite socks will take the knitting world by storm. It is definitely time for a new, pretty sock book! There are literally socks here for everyone; classic patterns in Austrian style running stitches (rather like aran patterns), a shadow knit sock with X's and O's (which is what I plan to knit first.) There are lace socks, patterned Latvian socks, padded footlets, longer cabled stockings and an anatomically comfortable fitted sock by knitting guru Priscilla Gibson-Roberts. The socks I loved especially? A wave-stitch sock in sport weight wool, the Latvian sock with the Baltic motifs for Laima and Mara, and the undulating Rib sock, a new take on a simple pattern of broken rib in shadowy varigated yarn. The book is spiral bound with a cover done in perfect binding (meaning, the book lies flat when you are working a pattern, but the spiral is covered by glazed paper covered boards.) Normally, a reviewer ignores the cover, right? But here, the binding is just perfect for a take-along book. I would say most of the socks in this book require more than a beginner's skill. There is a nice glossary in the back and a set of drawings of basic stitches and techniques, but I believe if you have never knitted a sock before on double pointed needles, you will need to get a lesson or video in that technique before you essay to start on any of these pretty patterns. But they are well within the grasp of anyone who has knit at least one or two socks before. I like this book a lot--I plan to make most of the socks in the book and it looks like for me, it will definitely be living up to its title of "Favorite Socks." Recommended, with the above reservation for beginners.