Review: Knitted Socks

This book — Knitted Socks by Anna Tillman — has been on my shelf for years and I always feel like I have reviewed it but apparently never did.

That’s a shame, because it’s pretty darn cute, as you might gather from the penguin socks pictured on the cover. It covers the basics of sock parts and how to knit them, knitting the right size, reading charts and finishing socks and includes 25 patterns for a range of sizes and using a variety of yarns and knitting techniques.

There’s a pair made of rainbow colored eyelash yarn, for instance, and felted slippers that are knit like giant socks. There are socks with cables, colorwork and lace, and simpler striped socks, too.

And there are toe socks. Which I love. The pattern is called Rainbow Toes and each toe is worked in a different color, and the colors are repeated at the top of the knee-high cuff.

Other standouts include The Whole Hog, which features colorwork pigs that make a whole picture when you put your feet together; Zigzag Socks, a fun pattern worked in a bold self-striping yarn; Fly Away Home, baby-sized ladybug socks; Going Dotty, a double-knit pair worked with circles throughout; and Cable Cuffs, which start from a band of cable worked flat, seamed and turned on its side to make the top of the sock.

There’s also information in the back on different heel, toe and ribbing options to help you design your own sock, as well as a kind of blank pattern to get you started.

Want a chance to win this book? Check out this week’s giveaway (ends March 22, 2015).

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

Looking to buy your Yarn online? Check out these online yarn specials.

Next Pattern:

Why should the fireplace get all the fun? Instead of knitting stockings this year, why not whip up a pair of Christmas themed socks? These Christmas sock knitting patterns are lots of fun to make and you can wear them to holiday gatherings for years to come.

For our friends in the southern part of the world, there are the Christmas in July socks from the Kiwi Lodge – Kylie (Ravelry link). These shorty socks are covered in Christmas trees and have bright pink heels and toes for a tropical feel. There’s also an option to make a longer sock if you celebrate somewhere it’s colder.

Twin Stitches Designs (Ravelry) has a fun pattern with mix and match colorwork motifs you can use to build your own cozy Christmas socks. From the sample socks I see Christmas puddings, trucks hauling trees, Santa belts, ornaments and a couple of different borders. There may be more patterns included but the listing doesn’t say. Make a pair that matches or use different motifs on each foot for extra holiday cheer.

If you want to stick to Christmas puddings on your holiday socks, check out this cute pattern from Stone Knits. These lovely socks feature a band of puddings around the leg and a bit of holly by the toes.

These vintage holiday light socks from Grey Owl Knits by Sarah are classic looking and lots of fun at the same time. I love this color combination but of course you can make your lights and stripes whatever colors you like or have on hand. They’re worked using stranded knitting.

And if you’d like even more of a mix of patterns for your socks, try Barbara Ceglédi’s Christmas Chaos socks, a free pattern on Ravelry. The pattern includes 25 little motifs you can choose from, ranging from snowflakes and Christmas trees to elf hats, reindeer and hearts.

Next Pattern:

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