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Book Review: Custom Socks

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Custom Socks book reviewI love the way Kate Atherley’s mind works. Her background in mathematics and experience as a technical editor give her a mind for the analytical side of knitting and knitwear design, but she’s also great at explaining technical things in an easy-to-grasp way.

Her book Pattern Writing for Knitwear Designers should be required reading for anyone looking to publish knitting patterns online or in print, and her latest book, Custom Socks: Knit to Fit Your Feet is a great guide to customizing knit socks, whether for your own feet or those of someone you love. It’s also helpful for designers because she walks you through everything she did to make the designs in the book work in different sizes, which is super handy if you’re wanting to resize a project for publication or to knit for someone else.

The book includes basic charts for working simple socks in multiple sizes and gauges, and the patterns include four or five sizes so you can stitch them up for a variety of feet. And the rest of the book is all about how to customize sock patterns — there’s even a whole chapter called “On Adjustments for Non-Average Feet” — so even if the one you want to knit doesn’t fit your feet perfectly, you’ll have the confidence to fix it.

There are a great variety of patterns here, several of which give you the option of working toe-up or top-down. You can start with simple Stockinette and ribbed socks, but there are also patterns using cables, lace and colorwork.

Some of my favorites include the Carpita, an allover stranded colorwork sock worked from the top down with a diamond checkerboard motif; the Harcourt, with an easy zigzag lace pattern that can be worked in either direction; and the stunning Fitzcarraldo knee socks, which are shaped at the back of the leg with a lovely twisted stitch pattern. (Check out all the designs on Ravelry.)

This book is a great choice for anyone who wants to knit socks but is worried because her feet aren’t “standard” in some way (which covers everything from having skinny calves to long toes), people who have knit socks before but didn’t like the fit in the end, and people who want to really understand what goes into making a great sock, and a great sock pattern.

I hope you’ll check this one out and let me know what you think!

Book specifications: 192 pages, paperback, 14 patterns. Interweave/F+W, published August 2015. Suggested retail $27.99

Looking for more knitted socks designs and patterns to keep you warm this winter? Check out these knitted sock patterns on Etsy.

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Comments

  1. I just knitted my first pair of socks…ever, and they came out great. Not only were they my first attempt at foot ware, but they were also custom socks. I couldn’t have done it without this book.

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Pet Beds to Knit

I have two cats, and I have always wanted to make them some kind of cat bed. But I also feel like they would completely ignore it, so I would be better off spending my knitting time on someone who I know will appreciate it (me). If you want to give it a try, though, here are some cute pet beds to knit for cats, small dogs, and maybe even some bigger dogs. 

My favorite of the ones I came across in writing this post is the Capiti knit cave that looks like a cat. This one is from Ursule Knits, and from the pattern description it sounds like it is lightly felted by hand to make it stand up, so you need to use wool to make it. It calls for DK weight but I’m sure worsted would work, too. 

The Maya Cat Cave is another cute cave-like project. Designed by Lavi V and using super bulky yarn, it’s like a purpose-made sack for your kitty to hang out in. It uses a metal ring (like you might use to make a dreamcatcher) to make the opening sturdy. You can find this one on Ravelry.

If you don’t want to be quite as literal as a cave, this pet bed nest from Monique Rae is another good choice. This one is flat on the bottom with short sides. It uses two strands of worsted weight yarn held together and comes in six sizes for a range of cats and dogs to be cozy in.

This circular cat bed knitting pattern from Ginger Purl is cute and easy to knit if you’re familiar with knitting flat circle. This one is striped, which is a great reminder that cats don’t care what color their bed is, so you might as well use leftover yarn on it. 

I am a little skeptical that this pet bed that’s made with roving and arm knitting will look as good once an animal has seen it, but it is a cute and quick project (and you could just use it as a basket that kitty is allowed to get in rather than a dedicated space). The pattern is from Wools by Nicky and includes a video tutorial if you’re new to arm knitting.

If you’d rather knit a blanket for the dog or cat in your life, check out the Ziggy Zag Pet Blanket by Paws and Purls Knits. This pretty reversible blanket comes in five sizes for various pets, and if you make it in washable yarn it’s the perfect thing for your furry friend to cuddle with. 

Or if you have a pet who will submit to a hood, I love this hooded pet blanket from Yarnspirations. Using Bernat Blanket yarn, it’s super cozy (and bright!) and pretty easy to knit as it’s all worked in one piece. The pattern only has one size but it’s just a rectangle with a hood so you could probably adjust it pretty easily for the size of your pet. 

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