Planet Auntie

First, the facts:

Title: Custom Socks: Knit to Fit Your Feet. 15 Patterns to Make Your Own

Author: Kate Atherley

Published by: Interweave Press, 2015

Pages: 191

Type: Socks, How-To

Chapters:

1. On Sock Sizing
2. On Yarn, Needles, and Gauge
3. On the Basic Patterns
4. On Adding Stitch Patterns
5. On Adjustments for Non-Average Feet

The In-Depth Look:

Everybody loves to knit socks, right?

Or, maybe you don’t. Maybe you think they’re too fiddly or too small. Too complicated, perhaps. Or maybe the socks you make just never feel comfortable.

Maybe what you need is a blueprint that will show you exactly what you need to know to make socks that will fit your feet … yours … not just someone who wears the same shoe size. (Because, yes, that does make a difference.)

Kate Atherley has done a massive amount of homework, here, to give you step by step instructions about everything you need to know to make a good, perfectly fitted sock. She tells you how to measure your foot correctly–and what measurements to pay attention to. She talks about the right yarn, and how to make adjustments for everything from a shallow arch to adjusting the shape of the toe to fit most comfortably.

Details, you’ll see, are not in short supply. This book is chock full of them, along with instructions for both toe-up and top-down socks, ankle-length or knee-highs.

Interestingly, all the heels in this book–regardless of the direction of the sock–are the standard heel-flap type heel. No short row heels here. I’m guessing this is because it’s easier to adjust the fit of the heel-flap style to suit every person’s unique heel shapes, but confess this is the one real flaw I found in this book. I’ve never found an old-school flap-heel that fit me comfortably and rely on short-row heels for my socks … but then, I haven’t tried Kate’s heels yet. Maybe she’ll convert me, but in the meantime, I wish she had included it–even if it was a throw-away “These aren’t as flexible or easy to customize, but if you’re interested…” kind of thing. But then, there’s only so much room in a book, and she was busy doing so many other things!

In addition to the exhaustive instructions, there are fully realized patterns for you to make (along with notes on what makes them special and how to customize to your heart’s content).

All in all, this is a great sock book. The information is thorough, the patterns attractive, the instructions easy to follow, and the photos are appealing.

Really, what else does a knitter need? Other than yarn and needles, of course!

You can find this book at Amazon.com or at your local shop.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

This review copy was kindly donated by Interweave Press. Thank you!

First, the facts:

Title: Custom Socks: Knit to Fit Your Feet. 15 Patterns to Make Your Own

Author: Kate Atherley

Published by: Interweave Press, 2015

Pages: 191

Type: Socks, How-To

Chapters:

1. On Sock Sizing
2. On Yarn, Needles, and Gauge
3. On the Basic Patterns
4. On Adding Stitch Patterns
5. On Adjustments for Non-Average Feet

The In-Depth Look:

Everybody loves to knit socks, right?

Or, maybe you don’t. Maybe you think they’re too fiddly or too small. Too complicated, perhaps. Or maybe the socks you make just never feel comfortable.

Maybe what you need is a blueprint that will show you exactly what you need to know to make socks that will fit your feet … yours … not just someone who wears the same shoe size. (Because, yes, that does make a difference.)

Kate Atherley has done a massive amount of homework, here, to give you step by step instructions about everything you need to know to make a good, perfectly fitted sock. She tells you how to measure your foot correctly–and what measurements to pay attention to. She talks about the right yarn, and how to make adjustments for everything from a shallow arch to adjusting the shape of the toe to fit most comfortably.

Details, you’ll see, are not in short supply. This book is chock full of them, along with instructions for both toe-up and top-down socks, ankle-length or knee-highs.

Interestingly, all the heels in this book–regardless of the direction of the sock–are the standard heel-flap type heel. No short row heels here. I’m guessing this is because it’s easier to adjust the fit of the heel-flap style to suit every person’s unique heel shapes, but confess this is the one real flaw I found in this book. I’ve never found an old-school flap-heel that fit me comfortably and rely on short-row heels for my socks … but then, I haven’t tried Kate’s heels yet. Maybe she’ll convert me, but in the meantime, I wish she had included it–even if it was a throw-away “These aren’t as flexible or easy to customize, but if you’re interested…” kind of thing. But then, there’s only so much room in a book, and she was busy doing so many other things!

In addition to the exhaustive instructions, there are fully realized patterns for you to make (along with notes on what makes them special and how to customize to your heart’s content).

All in all, this is a great sock book. The information is thorough, the patterns attractive, the instructions easy to follow, and the photos are appealing.

Really, what else does a knitter need? Other than yarn and needles, of course!

You can find this book at Amazon.com or at your local shop.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

This review copy was kindly donated by Interweave Press. Thank you!