Book Review: Knit 2 Socks in 1

The idea of second sock syndrome is kind of a cliche among knitters. The idea is that once you’ve knit one sock you lose interest in the pattern and never complete the second (or have to force yourself to complete the second).

I will admit I’ve gone years between knitting the first and second sock of a pair, so I can relate.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are several methods for working two socks at a time, often on multiple needles or one long needle. While these options are great they can be a little mind boggling.

Safiyyah Talley has a better idea. Her approach to knitting two socks at a time involves making one long tube with strategically placed lifelines so you can turn one tube into two socks.

You start by casting on the cuff for the first sock, leaving a lifeline for the heel and toe, knitting on through the second sock, leaving another lifeline for its heel and finishing off with the toe of the second sock. Once the knitting is done you separate the socks, knit the heels on both, the toe on one and the cuff on the other and you’re done.

The method is much more intricately described, with a bunch of patterns to get you started, in her book Knit 2 Socks in 1.

The great thing about this method is that you can use any technique for knitting socks that you like — double-pointed needles, one or two circular needles, magic loop — and you can just knit on without many interruptions through the legs of both socks.

It seems like this would make the knitting go a lot faster because you’re not pausing to knit a bunch of short rows or a heel flap. The heels are shaped just like the toes, no gussets or short rows required, which makes this method great for those new to sock knitting as well.

The book offers general instructions for a plain pair of socks, as well as guidance on how many stitches to cast on for different sized socks in different gauges so you can chart your own path. Talley then offers seven different stitch patterns, each shown on three different socks to give you an idea of how stitch patterns can be used on different socks in different ways.

For example a lacy rib stitch is used as a cuff on shortie socks, on the leg of a standard pair of socks, and on a pair worked with two different colors of sock yarn held together.

The book is really about getting you comfortable with the techniques and helping spark your own ideas for making socks that you will love to knit and to wear. I definitely want to try it, and I think you will find it a fun and fast way to make socks for all feet.

About the book: 142 pages, hardcover, 21 patterns. Published March 2022, Storey. Suggested retail $16.95.

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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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