First, the facts:

Title: The Knitgrrl Guide to Professional Knitwear Design: (How to Keep Your Knits About You)

Author: Shannon Okey, knitgrrl.com

Published by: Cooperative Press, 2010

Pages: 247

Type: Knitting Business.

Chapters:

1. What does it mean to be a professional?
2. Social Media
3. TCB, No PB&J Required, or The Business Side of Things
4. Send in the lawyers
5. Writing patterns
6. Making sales
7. Proposals and Publishing
8. Advertising
9. Further education
10. Professional organizations and associations
11. Standing out
12. The interviews

The In-Depth Look:

The first thing you need to know is that this is not a knitting book. Not really.

It’s not a book about designing, either.

What it is is the only book I know of that teaches you about the BUSINESS of knitting design.

I’ve seen the occasional chapter in books geared toward designers that mention things like how to submit patterns to magazines, or the conventions required for writing the patterns up, or extrapolating different sizes.

This book, though, tells you everything. How to write the patterns (as in, the kinds of programs to create the schematics and write the pattern instructions). How to promote them. How to sell them. How to copyright them. How to publish and advertise them.

Things that any designer with any professional ambitions at all NEEDS to know.

And then it gets better. She follows up all this instruction with dozens (I counted 32) of interviews with designers talking about their own experiences and thoughts about designing and selling designs. This book is chock-full of useful information, with very few illustrations (other than its fabulous cover). It’s got a good index and is well organized.

In fact, my only real gripe with this book is that its title sounds like a book that’s going to teach you how to do professional design, and it’s not. It’s a book that teaches a designer how to be professional.

Which means that this book is not for everybody. You might be interested in designing sweaters for your family but not be interested in selling the designs. You might not be interested in promoting your patterns. You might choose to think of your knitting as a hobby that garnishes a few bucks now and again but not at all like a business. This is all fine, but if this is the case, this book is probably not for you.

If, however, you want to not only be a designer, but to a professional designer, this book is a must. There’s nothing else out there that addresses exactly this topic. There are plenty of business books around that have some overlap (how to promote your business via Twitter, for example, or how to get published). But there are none that are geared toward people whose professional lives are tied up in knitwear.

This fantastic book is available at Amazon.com.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

First, the facts:

Title: Knitwear Design Workshop: A Comprehensive Guide to Handknits

Author: Shirley Paden

Published by: Interweave Press, 2009

Pages: 343

Type: Design how-to.

Chapters:

1. Planning Your Design
2. Selecting the Fabric
3. Classic Silhouette Pullover
4. Alternate Silhouettes
5. Cardigans
6. Skirts and Design
7. Alternate Armhole Shaping
8. Sleeves and Cuffs
9. Necklines
10. Neckbands, Collars, and Lapels
11. Finishing Techniques

Pattern Size Range: N/A

First Reaction: Blown Away

The In-Depth Look:

Let me start with a story. Do you remember what it felt like on the first day of school? You would go to your first class, and the teacher would hand out the textbooks on a subject that you knew nothing about. Chemistry. Algebra. French. Computer programming. You’d open up the book and glance at the first page and think, “This could be interesting.” Then you’d thumb through to the back, glancing at the esoteric equations and diagrams, the elaborate sentences and structures that were completely unknown … and you would feel intimidated. “I’m never going to learn all this,” you would think.

Yet, as the year went on and you worked through the book, it would all make sense. The diagrams were illustrative, the equations balanced, the complex sentences turned out to be beautiful poetry. You had been taken to a place you could not have gotten to on your own, a place that had seemed impossibly far away but now felt like your familiar backyard.

This book is like that.

At first glance, it’s intimidating. And big. A large-sized hardcover that has the feel of a full 3-ring binder. In fact, it’s a lot like a notebook, because the book has a spiral binding to make using it easy to use, but with a solid, hard cover to give it protection. But all this physical heft means your first reaction is going to be “Whoa, it’s a huge.” (Or at least, mine was.) And flipping ahead just looks frightening.

The important thing, though, is that, if this book is a monster, it’s a friendly monster. A helpful one who explains things clearly and with absolute sincerity. It’s just big, and very detailed oriented.

If you’re interested in sweater design, and want to understand everything, you need to look at this book. It’s amazing. I have other design books in my library–GOOD ones–written by Maggie Righetti, Priscilla Gibson-Roberts, Ann Budd, Cheryl Brunette, Debbie Bliss, just to name a few … but this one stands on its own.

When I tell you this book is detailed, I mean very detailed. There is some math involved. The author has done the heavy lifting for you, but she helpfully explains how she got her figures. There are equations and diagrams, but I don’t want you to be scared of them. They are here to help, along with a huge number of layouts and sketches to help you put together exactly what YOU need for the sweaters you want to design.

The book reads like a reference book–which it is. It’s not just a collection of basic shapes with a brief explanation on how to use them. It’s like an entire school year of Sweater Design all in one book. It truly is a knitwear design workshop.

Since this is a reference book, there are long sections that you really only need to skim until you decide later that you need to dig into the detail. The writing, though, is succinct and descriptive. There is no question that Shirley Paden knows her stuff.

At the back are a handful of project patterns showing the design method in action. I liked the “Design Process Checklist” at the back that starts with “The Idea” then moves through “The Fabric” “Essential Measurements” and so on until you get to a finished pattern. There’s also “Standard Measurements and Sizing” charts which is always helpful–especially if you’re writing a pattern for publication and need to produce different sizing options.

There is an Index, but it’s only two pages long. It looks like it covers everything, but I wonder if it is missing something. The book has so MUCH detail, after all, how could it all fit on two pages? I thought it was curious that all the photo illustrations of designs (“This sweater is an example of a classic raglan silhouette”) are all from older issues of various knitting magazines. I’m not sure why.

All in all, this is an incredibly impressive book, and it feels like a doctoral class on sweater design. Everything you could want to know is in here. If that makes it feel a little intimidating when you first look at it? So be it. The important thing is that it’s thorough, it’s detailed, and it’s going to be a fantastic reference you’re going to use again and again.

This amazing book is available at Amazon.com, and is worth every penny.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

Click here to see the key for the icons.

This review copy was kindly donated by Interweave Press. Thank you!

First, the facts:

Title: Heirloom Knitting: A Shetland Lace Knitter’s Pattern and Workbook

Author: Sharon Miller

Published by: Shetland Times Ltd, 2002

Pages: 295

Type: Design and Patterns.

Chapters:

1. Introduction
2. Knitting Advice
3. Patterns
4. Design
5. Projects
6. Miscellany

Pattern Size Range: N/A

The In-Depth Look:

Do you like knitted lace? Does knitting lace make your heart beat faster? Do you drool over Wedding ring shawls?

This may well be the book for you.

It’s not full simply of patterns for shawls and such that you can knit (though it has them). No, this is a complete compendium of Shetland Lace. And when I say “complete” I really mean complete. Exhaustive, in fact. If you have a question about Shetland lace chances are the answer is in this book.

Sharon Miller starts off with a history of lace knitting in the Shetland isles, and then moves into technical details about knitting techniques (cast-ons, yarn joins, and the like). Next comes stitch patterns. Dozens of lace patterns, sorted by type (centers, borders, edgings) and difficulty. This alone makes this a great resource.

But wait, there’s more! (As they say) The next section is a thorough, detailed examination of how these shawls (and other lace garments) are put together. The proportions, the construction, how to handle the designs at the corners. Everything. And then this is folowed by a collection of her own designs, which are always fabulous. Not just shawls, but christening gowns and lace edgings.

Oh, this is beautiful stuff.

Now, it must be said that most of the illustrations are in black and white, but this doesn’t hurt the book at all, since most of the illustrations are showing off the LACE, and that’s most easily done by white-on-black photographs. There are some color photos, though, if that’s important to you. The index is thorough, the details are incredible.
I should tell you, this is NOT a cheap book. In fact, I think it’s the most expensive book I have in my library, at something like $45. But I will also tell you that this is one book I will NOT give up. It’s fantastic. The lace is inspiring, the patterns exquisite. It’s worth every penny.

This fantastic, if somewhat expensive, book is available at amazon.com.

(Sorry, no links for bigger pictures.)

First, the facts:

Title: Alice Starmore’s Book of Fair Isle Knitting

Author: Alice Starmore

Published by: Dover Publications, 2009 (Updated reprint of the 1988 edition)

Pages: 199

Type: Patterns and design.

Chapters:

1. A Brief History
2. Pattern
3. Color
4. Technique
5. A Wardrobe of Patterns
6. Creating Your Own Designs

Pattern Size Range: Varies–Men, women, and children

The In-Depth Look:

Maybe you’ve seen this book for sale on Ebay, selling for hundreds of dollars. Maybe you’ve tried without luck to find a library copy. It’s practically legendary, as is the designer. Alice Starmore (of Virtual Yarns) has a reputation for being difficult, there are rumors of copyright legalities, or problems with a yarn company … I don’t even know, so many rumors abound. I couldn’t begin to tell you what has kept these much-desired books out of print for so long, and don’t want to, because all of that is unimportant. It’s the book that’s important.

If you’ve wondered about this book, if you’ve tried to find a copy any time in the last fifteen years or so, now is your chance to see what all the fuss about. Because thanks to Dover Publications, a reprint of this masterpiece is now available to the public for less than $25.

Did I say masterpiece? Why, yes, I did! This woman’s eye for color is amazing. Her color combinations for the sweaters and even just for the color sample swatches is unerring, but that alone is not why this is such a great book. It starts (as many books do) with a historical look at the technique, the region, the necessity–all interesting and well-researched. But then she gets to the good stuff–the patterns.

First, it’s the stitch patterns. The little grids of black and white squares to tell you how to create a colorwork pattern–and there are lots of them. Just using this as a reference, you could create your own Fair Isle designs for decades to come without ever repeating the same combination twice.

Then, oh then, she talks about color. How to combine them, what kind of effects to aim for–things like that. But also, she shows photos of natural settings, cars, anything, and then shows a color-design she’s derived from that photo. You can get color inspiration from anywhere, and you’d be amazed at how many colors you think don’t “go” together, actually do. This chapter is just wonderful.

The next section is a thorough chapter on Fair Isle knitting techniques. The usual casting-on, increasing/decreasing stuff, yes, but also how to do stranded knitting, how to weave in your ends, how to cut a steek … all with beautifully drawn illustrations and a quick look at the basic, traditional gansey shape.

Then, if all this is too much work for you, she brings you the sweater patterns (and a tam and mitten or two.) Now, I will warn you that these patterns are from 1988, so in some ways they’re a little dated (just like the models’ hair and outfits, but what can you do?) Only a little, though, because just about every one of these is in the traditional, drop-shouldered gansey shape. That style may be a little dated–sweaters are usually made with a little more shaping these days, and such bulky sleeves aren’t nearly as popular any more–but this is a classic shape that’s been around for centuries, so it’s not that bad as “out-dated” goes. I personally might be tempted to try to add a little more shoulder shaping and a lot less sleeve these days, but still … drop-shouldered ganseys ARE classic. Just know that that’s what you’re getting.

My favorite chapter of all is the final one–how to design your own sweaters. Certainly, she’s given you all the pieces in earlier chapters–the yarn guidelines, the patterns, the color guidance, the knitting techniques–but you might still be feeling overwhelmed. Well, this is where she talks about pattern placement, gansey shapes, how to modify a neckline or a sleeve … it’s thorough and helpful and tells you more or less everything you need to know.

I have had a chance to flip through a friend’s copy of this book, but never had a chance to really study it before, and I have to say, I’m impressed. Definitely one of the best Fair Isle books I’ve ever seen, and I can understand why it’s been so sought after.

Are you wondering how this is different than the original 1988 edition? According to the blurb on the copyright page: “This Dover edition, first published in 2009, is a slightly altered republication of the work originally published by The Taunton Press, Newtown Connecticut in 1988. The section “Sources of Supply” has been revised and any reference to outdated yarn brands and other color numbers have been removed. A new author biography together with photographs of examples of the author’s recent work have been added.”

(You’ll also be happy to know that this is a “planet friendly” book published in an earth-friendly manner to help us all make greener choices, so says the publisher, so let’s applaud that, shall we?)

So, is it worth the $24.95 price? I’d say definitely yes, and even better, you can get it for just over $16 at amazon.com. Compared to $200 for a used hardcover? SUCH a bargain!

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

My Gush: It’s like the holy grail of fair isle knitting and is just amazing.

First, the facts:

Title: Design It, Knit It: Secrets from the Designer’s Studio

Author: Debbie Bliss

Published by: Sixth & Spring, 2009

Pages: 146

Type: Design and Patterns.

Chapters:

1. Designing for the Body
2. Designing with Color
3. Designing with Texture
4. Designing for Kids
5. Designing with Details
6. Design Workbook

The In-Depth Look:

I love books that give me a look into what an author or designer is thinking. How they working things out. How they get inspired. How they made decisions.

Well, here you go–a look into the mind of Debbie Bliss as she makes design decisions.

Each of the first five chapters addresses one particular type of design challenge–body shapes, colors, textures. Desigining for children. Adding details. In each chapter, she gives her thoughts on how to work with that factor. She gives reasons why some things work and others don’t. Or why some patterns don’t come in sizes to fit all people (because the shape just simply wouldn’t work outside a certain range).

Then, to follow up each chapter, there are patterns to help illustrate the points just made. Sweaters with color work, or added texture. A-lines to show what they can do as a flattering body shape. Cute things for kids. (And there’s one picture of a little girl in the smock dress that is just beyond adorable.) Do I love every pattern? No, but these are Debbie Bliss patterns and so they are more or less classic and timeless–and I’ll just try to ignore the out-of-place-that’s-just-too-much collar on the otherwise gorgeous Cable Band Cardigan.

At the back of the book? Sketch outlines of different sweater shapes, all ready for you to color in, add texture, do whatever you like with it–have some fun. Also, knitter’s graph paper. You have to love a book that gives you resources you can use again and again. These pages clearly state that photocopying is permitted, so there’s no reason the fun needs to end.

A couple physical aspects about this book I particularly liked? It’s a hardcover, but with a spiral binding, so you can open it, have it lie flat. I like that. It’s also got a nifty elastic on the back cover that you can use as a bookmark. Not to mention a handy card at the back that includes a gauge guide, holes for determining needle sizes and a grid of yarn weights. Nice little extras–though that last one would be more effective if you could remove it from the book. (Though that opens it up to being lost, so…)

All in all? An interesting book with some great design tips, lovely patterns, and some nice extra features.

This book is available at Amazon.com.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

First, the facts:

Title: New Pathways for Sock Knitters: Book One

Author: Cat Bordhi

Published by: Passing Paws Press, 2007

Pages: 136

Type: Design.

Chapters:

1. Knitting Along New Pathways
2. Sky Architecture
3. Cedar Architecture
4. Coriolis Architecture
5. Foxglove Architecture
6. Upstream Architecture
7. Riverbed Architecture
8. Ridgeline Architecture
9. Sidestream Architecture
10. Master Numbers Make You a Designer
11. Master Heels, Toes & Cuffs

Pattern Size Range: N/A

The In-Depth Look:

Mary crate nap slew carpet then lightswitched andrew calendar, filigree mirrored fan tree!

…Yeah. That made no sense, did it? Almost as if someone had re-purposed all the words of the English language so that it was entirely new but so mind-bendingly different it might as well be Martian.

(You see where this is going, right?)

Suppose you wanted to take a fresh look at sock knitting, and come up with a new approach to a basic shape that has been around for centuries. The human foot hasn’t changed all that much, and knitting itself has been more or less consistent for a couple centuries now. So,  barring new techniques like Magic Loop and short-row heels … how much “new” can there be?

Enter Cat Bordhi–one of knitting’s “go-to” people for creative thought.

She says in the introduction,

For about five hundred years, hand-knit socks have been dominated by two architectural styles: one with a heel flap and side gussets, the other with an inserted heel. Over the years, a few free-thinking knitters have designed and published socks with unusual architecture. I too have come up with new ideas … Basically, I’ve discovered that we never needed to limit ourselves to the two primary architectural styles. Most sock knitters and designers, myself included, have spent years assuming that was was familiar was necessary, when it was only one of an infinite number of options.

You might as well say that we’ve been limiting ourselves by only putting two sleeves into our sweaters all these years. What does she mean that we’ve been limiting ourselves?

And, with that question firmly in mind, she goes on to show us exactly what she means.

Did you know that it doesn’t matter where you put the extra arch stitches for a sock, so long as they’re there?

Nope, I didn’t either, but Cat Bordhi discovered it and then put together this fabulous book to share the secret with the rest of us. And not just the secret, but a collection of really great patterns to go with it.

She starts the book with “learning socks” so that you can try out the new techniques on a small scale, without being intimidated by a full-size sock. (Though the learning socks can easily become baby booties.)

Honestly, I can’t even tell you how original these patterns are because there’s just no vocabulary for how unique they are. They’re  beautiful, and some look like any other, ordinary sock … but the way they’re stitched together is new and fresh and, dare I say? Exciting.

Oh, and other than your yarn, needles, and the book, you’re going to need special stitch markers with the ABCs to help mark your place as you learn, too–though you can make them with tags of paper on spare yarn if you want to.

The explanations and illustrations are wonderfully clear. The photos of the socks are lovely. The patterns are creative. Frankly, I can’t wait until she comes out with “New Pathways: The Sequel.”

Mind you, this is not an “easy” sock book. As in, it’s not one you can pick up, flip to a nice pattern and start knitting. No, there’s some studying to do first. You remember when you first knit a sock at all and the instructions sounded bizarre and counter-intuitive? It’s a little like that. But then, that’s what learning IS–stretching out the comfortable borders of your mind to look at new possibilities.

It’s just that, here, Cat Bordhi has already done the heavy lifting. She’s explored the New World and sent back a map. You just have to pack and make the journey.

This book is available from Amazon.com.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

First, the facts:

Title: The Art of Fair Isle Knitting: History, Technique, Color & Patterns

Author: Ann Feitelson

Published by: Interweave Press, 1996

Pages: 183

Type: History, Design, Patterns.

Chapters:

1. Introduction
2. History
3. Techniques
4. Color
5. Math
6. Original Patterns
7. Glossary of Shetland Terms / Sources / Bibliography / Index

The In-Depth Look:

This is yet another book in the “Tell the History, Explain the Design Elements, Share some Patterns” vein, and that alone makes it a winner … and what a winner. Because, really, it’s also so much more. It’s inspiration.

The history section is thorough and highlighted by lots of pictures–well worth reading. I, for one, never knew that there was a story that Fair Isle knitting stemmed from a Spanish Armada shipwrecked off the coast. It’s debatable whether it’s true, but I’d never even heard the rumor, so … interesting!

This is followed, though, by the Techniques section, with tips on handling two-color knitting, how to hold the yarn, how to cut the knitting, the best way to cast on, ribbing, picking up stitches … all that useful stuff. And it IS useful. There were definitely tips that were new to me, and it certainly never hurts to be told “For this specific kind of knitting, this is the best way to do such-and-such because ___.” I’ll try almost anything if you give me a good enough reason.

But then, oh then, the best part of the book. The chapter on Color. This alone is worth the price of the book.

Have you ever tried to put together your own colors for a fair isle design? Oohed and aahed over the color talent of some of the really good designers, who manage to hit it on the nail every time, but you can’t quite figure out why?

This chapter begins: “There’s something so richly luminous about Fair Isle knitting. Why does it glow the way it does? Aside from the choice of colors, its radiant effect comes from the qualities of its surface and from the way one color meets another.”

Luminous. Now there’s a word for you. And she goes on to explain exactly why some color combinations work better than others–with lots of photographic examples so you can see it for yourself. She discusses basic color principles, but also the matter of sequence–why some color combinations will be most effective with one in the foreground and one in the background.

Trust me. This is a chapter you’ll want to read and reread–especially if you like to play with colors the way I do. The chapter on Fair isle math is handy, too.

The second half of the book is all patterns. A couple gloves, a hat, but mostly all sweaters. The designs are mostly the classic, drop-shoulder gansey shape–which is just about the only real flaw. That’s not the most flattering shape for a sweater, and most sweaters these days are fitted a little more closely. BUT this is a classic shape and it’s been around for donkeys’ years, so no complaint. Besides, the best part about these patterns are the Fair Isle designs and the color combinations.

This book is available at Amazon.com.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

First, the facts:

Title: Knitting in the Old Way: Designs & Techniques from Ethnic Sweaters

Author: Priscilla Gibson-Roberts & Deborah Robson

Published by: Nomad Press, 1985 & 2004

Pages: 307

Type: Design.

Chapters:

1. Origins
2. Traditional Yarns
3. Equipment
4. Knitting Methods
5. Techniques
6. Tools for Planning Sweaters
7. An Evolution of Shapes
8. Style Alternatives
9. Color Stranding
10. Intarsia
11. Texture
12. Geometric Patterning
13. Crochet-Enhanced Knits

Pattern Size Range: Whatever you need.

The In-Depth Look:

I’ll confess right away that this book has been one of my favorites for years. I have the 1985 edition, and pull it off the shelf every time I start thinking about designing my own sweater.

Why is this one so good?

It’s not filled with trendy patterns. In fact, it’s exactly the opposite. It’s filled with old, time-honored sweater shapes, from the oldest, knitted blouses to saddle-shoulder Aran styles.

Along the way, she discusses, well, everything! Knitting techniques. Ways of adding color. How to do cables. When to do color and cables. How an Icelandic pullover differs from a Fair Isle one.

All the different shapes, patterns, and techniques are accompanied by clear, hand-drawn schematics.

Obviously, if you’re only interested in more modern shapes, more trendy designs, this won’t be the book for you. But for a look at the history and reasons for some of the designs that have been around for donkeys’ years? I can’t think of another book in my library that’s as all-around useful.

Oh, and as to the two editions? With the exception of a final chapter on spinning yarn that’s in the earlier book and not in the newer one, the information all seems pretty much the same. The organization, however, is different. Things are shuffled around to different chapters, but it’s all still there. True, the 1985 edition was spiral-bound, which made using it as a reference a little easier, but the perfect binding on the new edition is likely to last longer.

Really, it’s a great book. I mean, why else would the publishing gods have granted it a new life? It’s a classic.

The newer edition is available at amazon.com for $18.45 which, ironically, is just about what I paid (full price) for my 1985 edition.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

The review copy of the new edition was kindly donated by Nomad Press. Thank you!

First, the facts:

Title: Ethnic Knitting Exploration: Lithuania, Iceland, and Ireland

Author: Donna Druchunas

Published by: Nomad Press, 2009

Pages: 176

Type: Design, Ethnic

Chapters:

1. Sweater Shapes: Raglan, Yoke, & Saddle-Shoulder
2. A Few Basics
3. Lithuania
4. Iceland
5. Ireland
6. Cardigans

Pattern Size Range: Any

The In-Depth Look:

This isn’t one of those history-intensive books on ethnic knits. There is brief discussion on the knitting ethos in each of the three highlighted countries (Lithuania, Iceland, Ireland), but the book really focuses on how to knit a sweater–not about what they were doing with yarn in 1857.

What this book DOES do is explain how to put together a sweater inspired by those styles. It starts with chapters on basic sweater shapes and techniques. How a raglan sweater is constructed, how to center a color pattern, how to figure out proportions. All pretty basic information that you might know already, but it’s well thought out and useful to have in one place.

The chapters on each of the three countries, though, explain some of the details that are unique to each region. Striped ribbing. Color patterns. Working in the round. Steeks. Whatever. This is followed by samples of some of the stitch patterns used, as well as thorough break-downs of the proportions you need to know. How often should you decrease your stitches when shaping the yoke of a sweater? How long should the body be before starting your raglan shaping? How should the cables of an Aran sweater be laid out?

All of this information is presented in a friendly, readable style. The graphics are pleasant to the eye and easy to understand. Except for stitch patterns, there are no photographs, just drawings, and that takes away a lot of the “Is the model leaning like that for a reason?” mystery. It also leaves a lot of the details up to YOUR imagination, which is only a good thing.

Really, there’s not much to dislike about this book. It’s pleasant. It’s helpful. Sure, there are other books that go into greater detail. I’ve read entire books on how to construct cables and put them together to make an Aran sweater, so the fact that they’re just given a chapter here does mean that there are details that aren’t touched upon–but that’s not the point. You can always find more stitch patterns to play with, and you can always delve deeper into some of the design mysteries about whether to use three colors or just two in the yoke of your sweater.

The point is that this book whets your appetite and introduces you to some Ethnic themes you may not have been aware of. (I know that I didn’t know much about Lithuanian knitting at all before reading this.)

The book, after all, IS called “Ethnic Knitting: Exploration.”

Exploration is what it’s all about!

This book–as well as her earlier book, “Ethnic Knitting Discovery: The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and The Andes“–is available at amazon.com.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

This review copy was kindly donated by Nomad Press. Thank you!

First, the facts:

Title: Sock Innovation: Knitting Techniques & Patterns for One-of-a-Kind Socks

Author: Cookie A.

Published by: Interweave Press, 2009

Pages: 143

Type: Socks, design and patterns

Chapters:

1. Sock Techniques

2. Stitch Techniques

3. Sock Design

4. Patterns

Pattern Size Range: N/A

The In-Depth Look:

Have you ever wondered what you really needed to know to be able to design really fantastic socks? How to work in a stitch pattern, how to coordinate the placement of the heel, or the elasticity of the cuff? Maybe you’ve been looking for a nice, thorough guide to explain everything you need to know?

Or, maybe you’re not at all interested in designing socks, and you just want beautiful socks to knit. You want all the hard, thinking parts taken care of and just work off the sheer inspiration of meticulously crafted patterns.

Where, oh where, can you go to find all that?

Sock Innovation, that’s where.

The first third of this book is a masterpiece of engineering–not the actual book, mind you. That’s the normal paper and glue format of most books. I’m talking about SOCK engineering. Did you know that socks could be engineered? Because Cookie A. obviously has a PhD. in the subject, if there is such a thing. This part of the book is amazingly detailed and crystal clear in its explanations. Fantastic.

The rest of the book are examples of her skill. Beautiful socks, with great attention to detail. Each is named for a person she knows, and whose personality she has somehow captured in the perfect sock pattern.

There really isn’t much bad you can say about this book. I mean, okay, I tend to prefer toe-up socks and all of these are top-down construction, but is that a flaw? By no means.

The pictures are all clear and crisp, though really, how many ways are there to photograph feet? The patterns are spelled out in the Table of Contents. The illustrations for the techniques are clean and understandable. Generally, it’s just a great book. Every one of her patterns I’ve seen elsewhere have been amazing, and this book does not disappoint.

This book is available from Amazon.com for $15.61.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

This review copy was kindly donated by Interweave Press. Thank you!