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:

The other day I saw a post from Pinterest about trends for summer and it said one of them was “cultivating whimsy.”

Well, I don’t know where Pinterest has been all this time, but we’ve been cultivating whimsy here at Craft Gossip for a long time. I love sharing projects that are a little different, things that make you smile when you see them, and will make you smile when you knit them and wear them or use them.

Such it is with the Tutti Frutti tee knitting pattern from Bea Creative Knits.

This cute little baby tee is worked top down in the round with contiguous shoulder construction to shape the sleeve caps. There are short rows for the neckline and folded hems with picot edging at the hemline, neckline and edges of the sleeves.

All of this would be great on its own, but then there’s the addition of a super cute fruit icon, which is added with duplicate stitch. There are a lot of options, including strawberry, banana, orange, cherries, watermelon, lemon, blueberries, kiwi, peach, dragon fruit, apple and pear, so it’s likely you can add on your favorite fruit.

It is offered in eight sizes, to fit a bust measurement ranging from 28-30 inches (71-76 cm) to 56-58 inches (142-147 cm). The design is meant to be worn with around 6.3 inches/16 cm of negative ease, but you can choose the fit you prefer. There’s also optional bust and waist shaping included in the pattern if you want to make it even curvier.

This is considered an advanced beginner or intermediate project because of all the skills involved, but it’s sure to be a lot of fun even if some of these techniques are new to you.

Grab a copy of the pattern for yourself form Bea Creative Knits on Etsy.

[Photo: Bea Creative Knits]

Next Pattern:

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