Review: The Sock Project

If you’re on Instagram and you knit, you’ve probably seen some of Summer Lee‘s colorful and fun socks. As you might imagine, when she wrote a book all about sock knitting, it, too, was colorful and fun.

The Sock Project includes 25 patterns and tons of step by step instructions to help new sock knitters feel comfortable with the craft or to give those with some sock knitting experience some new techniques to try.

It opens with a discussion of materials and fit. All of the patterns in the book have four adult sizes, as well as sizes for toddlers and bigger kids, so you’ll be sure to get a good fit for your foot.

There are basic sock patterns for knitting a sock with a heel flap and gusset, an afterthought heel, a peasant heel (which she calls a “forethought” heel because it’s shaped the same as an afterthought heel, but you do it while you’re knitting) and a heel shaped with German short rows. There’s also a toe up sock with fleegle heel. Just with those patterns you can add in your own stripes and stitch patterns and happily make a lot of different socks.

But you don’t even have to come up with your own design ideas, because Summer has offered 25 options, including stripes, fade, ribs, textured stitches, colorwork, cables and lace. There are also patterns for using DK weight yarn to make long or short socks, and a pattern that adds mohair for extra warmth.

Some of my favorites include the Trompe le Monde Socks, which feature two-color stripes and a slip-stitch pattern on the leg and top of the foot; the leafy-lace-covered Camellia Socks; the Scandiland Socks, with classic snowflake motifs worked in pastels with mustard accents; and the Harriet Socks, with little cables running down the sides.

I was able to see these socks in person at a book signing Summer did in my hometown, and they’re all lovely. You can check out all the patterns on Ravelry.

This is a great book for people who want to learn how to knit socks, for knitters with knitting friends they want to encourage to knit socks, and for folks who are always looking for different ways to knit socks or designs to try.

About the book: 192 pages, 25 patterns, paperback. Published 2024 by Abrams Books, suggested retail price $24.99.

It feels like it’s too early to be thinking about back to school, but as I write this my daughter has just a couple of weeks of summer left! So let’s get in that school and fall knitting spirit by looking at some apple knitting projects.

If you have a 22 needle circular knitting machine, knitting an apple is one of the easiest things you can do. I have an apple pattern over at Our Daily Craft that will take you just a few minutes to knit and they’re a great addition to your fall decor.

Apple hats are a classic, and whether you want to knit a hat that looks like an apple or one with apples on it, we’ve got you covered. For hats that look like apples check out the rolled brim version from Emma Crochet Design 4 U, which uses worsted weight yarn and comes in sizes for kids of all ages; and the ribbed brim version from Hand Knit Hugs. This one also calls for worsted weight yarn and comes in four kids sizes. Both include a stem and leaf.

If you’d rather have apples on your hat, try the Red Apple Hat from Little Red Window. This one is sized from newborn to 2T and calls for four colors of worsted weight yarn.

How about apple socks? You’ll find Ariel Chang’s Apple Picnic Socks as a free download on Ravelry. These use three colors of sock yarn and come in three sizes. Stone Knits also a pair of stripey apple socks that show the inside of the apple. These also have three sizes but they use six colors total, with the main color being a self-striping yarn.

If you want a little apple accessory for the house, the apple potholder from Nifty Knitter Designs is cute and a great way to practice double knitting. It uses two colors and you’ll find the colors in the reverse on the other side. The pattern only uses about 50 yards of each color of worsted weight yarn, so it’s a great use for odd balls, too.

Once you’ve got your double knitting skills sorted you can also try the double knit apple scarf from Crow and Chai Shop. The Winter Apples scarf is shown in red and gold, but you can use whatever colors you like. There are apples, stars and random stitches in the design, which calls for DK weight yarn. There’s also a matching fingerless glove pattern.

Have you read?