Sockupied Wants Your Sock Patterns

Here’s a last-minute call for entries for all you sock designers out there: Sockupied, the digital magazine devoted to socks from the folks at Interweave Press, is looking for designs for two editions that will be produced in 2013. According to the callout, Sockupied “focuses on technique-rich, clever patterns that enable knitters to take charge of their socks and customize patterns for optimal fit and structure.”

They like a wide range of designs, from traditional to more modern, and typically have five patterns in each issue.

Submissions — which need to include sketches, swatches and a written description of the pattern and its technical details — will be accepted through August 8, and final decisions are expected to be made by August 15. Knit socks will be due September 17; yarn is provided. Because of the tight deadline, e-mail submissions will be accepted. Check out the link above for more details. If only I weren’t mired in book stuff…

[Photo by Sockupied/Interweave Press.]

Next Pattern:

There’s always room for more stitch dictionaries on your shelf, but Andrea Rangel’s Knitovation Stitch Dictionary is unlike those stitch pattern books you might already own. That’s because this one is full of colorwork stitch patterns rather than textured stitches, lace or cables, so the designs are ripe for adding to hats, sweaters and other projects with a stockinette stitch background.

The book starts with a quick introduction to knitting colorwork that’s also unlike what you’ve probably seen before, because it’s less about the colors themselves and more about the kinds of fibers you choose, how the yarn is prepared and the gauge you’re working at and how those things all change the look of a design.

Most of the book is filled with motif designs and swatches. The motifs were designed and named by Andrea’s husband Sean, who is an artist and brings a bit of whimsy to the designs.

You’ll find some classic looking leaves and flowers, mosaics and waves, but also rubber ducks, penguins, puzzle pieces, cherries and cows, snails and teapots, eyeballs and chess pieces, to name a few. Many of the designs also have funny names, like a fish named toilet bound, or cats in suits called corporate fat cat.

Of course you can use the designs in any way you want on any project you like, but there are also three patterns in the book — for a hat, a sweater and a pair of fingerless gloves — plus discussion of how the motifs were added, adjusting patterns for a different size or gauge, and adding your own motifs.

If you like adding a bit of colorwork to otherwise plain projects that other people have designed, or you’re ready to start making your own designs with fun motifs, this book is a great place to start. The fun and funny motifs are sure to inspire you to want to pick up your needles and add a little more color to your projects.

About the book: 160 pages, hardcover, 150+ motifs and three knitting patterns. Published 2023 by Interweave, suggested retail $28.

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