Knitting

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Want to Knit Some Cool Socks? This Book Could be Yours

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Knitted Socks book

Martha is getting this one.

The book Knitted Socks by Anna Tillman has been on my shelf for a long time. Nearly 10 years, it turns out. So long, in fact, that I have gone through several bouts of being sure I reviewed it somewhere and not being able to find any trace of it (I’m still not sure if I ever did).

It’s a book that takes novelty sock knitting to the next level (I mean, come on, those penguin socks on the cover have flippers, a beak and a tail that stick out from the sock) and allow you to knit fun and funky foot fashions for the whole family. Projects range from kid to adult sizes and have all sorts of options for fun, from socks with pigs that line up when you put your feet together to socks with tons of cables, flip-flop socks, felted baby booties, classic Fair Isle designs and more. There are even socks with tiny pockets for a little bear! (Check them all out on Ravelry.)

There is also information on the parts of a sock, sock knitting tips and finishing techniques that will get your sock knitting off on the right foot (sorry). And in the back you’ll find mix and match patterns so you can design your own socks with different cast ons, ribs, cuffs and toes.

If you’d like a chance to win this book, which is now out of print, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, April 30. I’d love to know if you’ve knit any funky socks before. I have to say all mine have been pretty plain, but the stranded knit heart ones from my color knitting book are my favorites.

Thanks for visiting, commenting and sharing, and good luck!

 

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.

Comments

  1. I’ve wanted to finish learning about knitting socks! Thanks for the chance to win this book!

  2. Yes please! I learned to knit socks in school (mandatory in Estonia) and my granny who though me to knit was very strict on it. Many years have passed and would love to get back at it!

  4. Socks tend to be my meeting/tv knitting, so I usually knit fairly plain ones, with simple, easy to memorize, stitch patterns. Those penguins look fun tho! I think I need to expand my sock knitting.

  7. My favorite socks to knit are fraternals because I have trouble making two things the same. So I gave up and make two related but different! Always interested in finding new ideas about socks.

    From overcast VT,
    The Vermonster

  8. No I haven’t knitted Funky socks yet, but this book would be a great way to start.

  10. I have yet to jump into the sock arena. I’m afraid of putting in all the time and effort, and then wearing the bottoms out. Curious how all the sock knitters out there deal with this issue? (Aside of course from putting them in a drawer and never wearing them. )

  11. I have not ever knitted any socks but wouldn’t these be cool to start with? Those penguins are adorable!!

  12. I have knit many pairs of socks before but knitting some funky ones sounds like fun.

  14. Looks like real fun! Unique patterns not seen elsewhere. Too bad it’s out of print.

  15. This book looks so fun! Socks can take “forever” but this could make it worthwhile. 🙂

  17. Funky? Yes. Deliberately? Not really. First pair was two at a time on a single needle. Thought I was going to go insane, and it took me forever because I was soooo afraid of making a mistake. But I did it!
    thanks for making this generous offer!

  18. My go-to sock is usually a knit pattern. My son has been asking for more socks, these would be a fun change. Thanks for the chance.

  19. I have not knitted funky sock although I do have a kit fit “Shark week” My grandson would love some of those socks.

  21. My socks are usually pretty standard, but I would love to try the penguin socks! They are so cute!

  22. If you mean INTENTIONALLY funky, well then, no, I haven’t done that. More than that my pride will not allow me to say. Would love to do the pig socks. Thanks for the giveaway.

  23. All of the socks in this book are so cute and pretty. I am a sock beginner, so have not knit anything fancy. I would surely love to try, though.

  24. I have lots of niblings who would love some of these creative socks – and I do love to knit for my niblings! Thank you for the chance to win.

Have you read?

Easy Knit Baskets to Use All Your Stash

For the past few years I’ve taken part in a Christmas in July blog hop that encourages people to get a jump on their making for holiday gifts. 

I love to use yarn I already have for these projects in the hope that people will consider what they already have that they can use to make projects for themselves or to give as gifts. 

This year it was a couple of knit baskets made using partial balls of yarn left in my stash from other projects. 

They use the same basic pattern but the first one is made with two colors of bulky yarn, and the second used two strands of worsted weight yarn held together, which made the gauge about the same, but I cast on fewer stitches to make a smaller version. 

The bottom of the basket is square, though you can make them rectangular if you’d rather. Then I just knit up the sides in rounds until I was about to run out of yarn. This gave both baskets rather short sides — maybe more like a tray than a basket — but you can keep knitting as long as you like to make the sides of your basket as tall as you want. 

They’re worked in seed stitch, which keeps the edges from curling and adds a nice texture to the baskets.

Of course this also allows you to use even more odd balls from your stash. I’d love to make a big one someday combining lots of different yarn. I mean, I’d probably use it to store more yarn, but that’s a fine thing to do. 

As it is, these little trays are great for sitting on your desk or bedside table to hold little things that always seem to appear there. I like to use one to hold the supplies for whatever project I’m working on, things like little scissors, my tape measure, a crochet hook, etc.

And they would make good gifts on their own or as a container to hold some other goodies if you like. 

You can find the free pattern for these stash busting baskets over at Our Daily Craft.