Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

Review – Sock Knitting Master Class by Ann Budd

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Innovative techniques and patterns from top designers.

This book is all about mastering good sock design. From measuring for  correct fit and comfort to picking yarns, needles and gauge you’ll find both toe up and top down ideas, designs and techniques.

Sock Knitting Master Class

What is the best cast on method for a toe up cable design? Find out in the book. I want a different kind of heel that will be more comfortable. This book has it. Heels, toes and gussets, and how to make them look great.

And then the patterns! Beautiful, yet functional stitch designs and fun colors. This is a complete book.

Need a more elastic sock? How about a dense cable pattern. Light and airy lace, or stranded  color work; they’re all in here.

After you’re done drooling over this book, pop in the accompanying DVD where you’ll find a short tutorial on all of the different kinds of needles for knitting socks.

Check out this YouTube video about this book, and then head over to Interweave to get your own copy!

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Next Pattern:

Have you read?

A Blanket Knitting Pattern Where Yarn Selection is Everything

Many times when I write these posts I will say something like “you can use any yarn you want” or “this would be a great stash-busting project.” That’s just how my mind works. And my stash, too, since I probably have sweater quantity of two or three yarns at most, but tons of singles and odd balls and leftovers.

Blankets are generally a really good way to use up those bits, but in this case, I think you’re going to want to plan it out a bit better.

Looking at photos of the Color Study Blanket from Purl Soho, it looks like it’s made with two yarns held together, and that block in the center is worked with one of each color from the adjoining sides to make a mixed up color.

But that’s not actually how it’s done. This is three separate colors (four, really, with the neutrals in the corners) chosen form a yarn with an expansive palette so they play off each other. The project calls for a worsted weight superwash wool, which is a great choice for a blanket that’s both warm and washable.

This pattern was originally designed by Laura Ferguson and was updated by Hiromi Glover. It is worked in one piece in garter stitch intarsia, which is a great way to learn the intarsia technique if you don’t already know it. It comes in crib or throw sizes.

Despite the introduction to this post, I am going to go ahead and say that, yes, of course you could do this blanket with scraps or odd balls or even just choose five colors that don’t blend together so easily. But I really do love the look of the color play, and I think it would be worth your time to find colors that play well together to get a similar effect.

This pattern is available for free from Purl Soho.

[Photo: Purl Soho]