The Sock Knitter's Handbook

Four years ago (Wow!  Was it really four years ago?) Charlene Schurch came to my LYS - Knitting Central - and taught a two-day marathon sock class.  Of course, I signed up for both full day courses and my head nearly exploded.  If you've been reading my blog, you know I love to knit socks.  I thought I knew socks.  I've designed my own simple patterns, I've knit other people's amazing patterns, I've knit 'em big, and I've knit 'em small, I have knit more stockinette socks than I care to remember.  I thought I knew socks.  Charlene taught me how little I knew.

Here we are: Ann, me, Charlene, Jean and Betsy posing for a picture during our sock class at Knitting Central in the spring of 2008.

Ever since, I've been a huge Charlene fan.  I was fascinated with the way her mind worked.  When I asked her what she did in her former life, she mentioned that she was an engineer.  That made perfect sense to me.  If you've used any of Charlene's book - Sensational Socks and More Sensational Socks - you know that she engineers socks.  She gives you all the tools you need to build your own socks - design your own socks.  She does this better than anyone out there.  I think that's because she's an engineer at heart who loves to knit.

I have to confess, I have not met Beth Parrott.  But together, Charlene and Beth have a fabulous new book out called The Sock Knitter's Handbook.

Of course, you probably know I’m a huge Charlene fan… and I love the way she engineers socks. If you want to design your own socks - this is the book you need. It offers everything you need to know about building a sock - from top-down or toe-up - with so many techniques and choices - that you could create your own socks from now until… well… let’s just say, until your S.A.B.L.E. (stash acquired beyond life expectancy) runs out - and not repeat the same two techniques.

I really love the tips and techniques section for Special Fit Issues - as not everyone has the perfectly shaped foot - and this is especially helpful for altering your sock to fit that special foot.

The color photos throughout the book are fabulous. They’re so clear and show us exactly what the authors mean when they talk about the different aspects of sock construction.

These are teaching sock photos - with each distinct section beautiflly color coded to demonstrate the specific technique.

Each section of the sock (for both toe-up and top-down) has various options for you to choose from.  Each technique is photographed in contrasting color to show off the detail.

There are so many options to choose from - you will not make your boring same ol' - same ol' socks again. (That last comment was actually directed at yours truly - the big fan of stockinette socks!)  I think I'll definitely be branching out into some new sock territory!

Congratulations on another fabulous book Charlene and Beth. Please keep ‘em coming!

Here I am with Charlene at the very first Sock Summit in Portland, OR August 2009.  Sock Knitters of the World - UNITE!

Charlene sent me a copy of her book - The Sock Knitter's Handbook - to review on my blog - one for me and one for one lucky reader.  So if you're a sock knitter and a Charlene fan like me, please leave me a comment to this post by midnight EST, Thursday, April 19th and I'll use the random number generator to select one lucky winner!

P.S. Some of you are having a hard time leaving comments.  Go ahead and email me - majorknitter at yahoo dot com - or comment (if you're able) for your chance to win! 

Comments

[Pat O'Brien]

I have always wanted to try knitting socks but for some reason I find them very intimidating. The first thing my mother learned to knit when she was 8 yrs. old was socks. Her aunt taught her that socks incorporate almost everything there is to know about knitting. If you can knit socks, you can knit anything. I think it is time I take the plunge. I have always heard that Charlene's books were the best. Your blog has confirmed this for me. Thanks for the detailed review!

[Angela]

I just finished my first pair of socks and I am enthralled! I would love a chance to win this book. Thanks!

[nannyjean]

I am working on socks and I would like to make some of those heels in my socks they look interesting.

[Rike]

Hey, I love to knit, socks socks are fun and this book looks really good, so count me in....

[Jane in London]

Yay socks!

[Donna VG]

My husband actually surprised me with Charlene's book when I told him I needed a good sock book. What a guy!
I use it a lot and even got it spiral bound at the print shop where I worked. So convenient.
Please include me in the drawing. And, thanks, Jennifer for the blog, always enjoy reading about your activities.

[KimW]

This looks like a "must-have" book! I recently found two almost complete pairs of socks in my knitting basket ~ I can't believe I left them when they were almost done, but I'll be happy to have 2 new pair soon.

[Brenda]

Looks like a great book for sock knitters. Please count me in!

[Diane]

I am just starting to knit sock and I would love a chance to win this book.

[Candice]

Enjoying your blog, and I would enjoy the book if I was the lucky winner!!

[Millie]

Love the yarn the socks on the cover of their book is made from; maybe I'll be the lucky winner and take up sock knitting!!

Keep bloggin' Jennifer.

Millie

[Tricia]

Wow! How lucky are you to have been to a class by Charlene Schurch! Thanks for letting us know about the book - it looks fantastic!

[Kathy Seltenhofer]

My favorite thing to knit took me some time to learn but once I did I keep on with at least two pairs on the needles all the time. Sure gets me through some stressful times.

[Mary in Carol Stream]

Wow! I have Charlene's first two books and used them often, even though I don't produce as many socks as I start. I'd love an opportunity to look at her new book!!

[Kay in North Carolina]

Oh, the book looks great. Thanks for doing the raffle. If I don't win, I might just have to buy one!

[Beth]

I almost always knit plain stockinette socks because that way I don't have to think about them; I carry them everywhere in my purse and pull them out whenever I have a few minutes. I really would love this book, I'm sure I would learn a ton.

[Carolyn in NC]

If you random number generator is Wilma picking a number off the floor like she has in the past, please take a picture...........that just cracks me up.

However you choose, I'd love a sALL IN THE SAME PATTERN. Time to try new things!

Carolyn in NC

[Vicki Johnson]

Thanks for a chance to receive this book! Cheers!

[Rosemarie]

The book sounds absolutely fantastic, and it may just be the motivation I need to really get into sock knitting.

[Stephanie]

I recently completed my 4th pair of socks (1st toe up). I'm a biomedical engineer, so I think a sock knitting book written by an engineer would be perfect! (sjn821 on Rav)

[Lisa]

I love to knit plain stockinette socks. I always have several going. Thanks for the chance to win.

[marion]

I love knitting socks. That book looks great!
Marion

[Julie]

Four years ago (really? that long?) you showed a photo of a sock featuring Charlene's Cuban Heel, and that is when I truly fell into sock lust. I actually pulled up the picture at work and showed people. It did not drive them into a frenzy like it did for me, and they thought I was odd for lusting over the heel of a sock. I have yet to buy one of Charlene's books, and I am truly not sure why. Maybe it's my own form of tantric knitting?

[Susie B]

I, too, love making socks. It would be great to have this wonderful book. Tell Wilma to pick me, pick me, pick me!

[Wool Winder]

That looks like a great book! Sensational Socks has been very helpful to me when I need a stitch pattern to "dress up" the leg of a simple sock.

[Karen]

That book looks fantastic!

[Cathy]

Count me in on this book! I took a class from her at Maryland Sheep and Wool several years ago. And I thought I knew about knitting socks, too......

[Betsy]

I would love to win one of her books. I, too, am one of her fans!

[Tammy]

Charlotte's books are wonderful. I thought I'd never knit socks until I took the famous "Silver's Sock Class" tutorial and now it's all I ever want to knit! This latest book looks wonderful, thanks for letting us know about it.

[Ruthie]

Holy Kamoly! You really KNOW her!! Be still my heart and mind: stop being jealous! You are one fortunate woman, you know that?!? (Can you tell I'm a "Charlene fan" too? LOL)

As far as the book is concerned, you can always pick me...I definitely wouldn't turn down such a priceless treasure as a book by one of the great, all-time sock designers. In other words, PICK ME! (Note that I'm not bashful.)

[Raelene Dawson]

Never thought I would ever knit socks - now I always have one on the go for travelling and waiting. Great to learn new techniques!! Love the photos of the sock book. What a great way to illustrate clearly what you are trying to teach.

[Jane J,]

I love her books!

Jane

[Kirsten]

I'm also a huge fan of Charlene's. Her "Sensational Socks" books were must-haves when I started knitting socks. I think this new book is destined to be in my library too.

[Beth in Ohio]

Yep, please count me in too!
Thanks for a chance to win another great book for my knitting library.

[Barbara-Kay]

Oh, my goodness! What sock experiences you have had. I, too, would have guessed you would learn little from a general sock course.

Thanks for a chance to win the book. As Donkey says in the Shreck movies, "Pick me! Pick me!"

[Rebecca]

You know I am!

I have Charlene's first two books and don't make a sock without them. I am always recommending her books to others too, as they are so well laid out with great instructions and photos.