101 Socks: Circular Needles, Felted, Addi-Express, Toe Up, Crocheted, and Spiral Knit
By: The Editors of the Oz Creativ Series
Rating: 5 of 5
“101 Socks: Circular Needles, Felted, Addi-Express, Toe Up, Crocheted, and Spiral Knit” is a great book for someone, like me, who is more experienced in a single method of stitching but wants to try more varieties of styles. There are socks and slippers included. The sizes range from infant (knitted booties) to children to adult. At the back of the book, there is a fantastic guide that gives the number of stitches needed for various sizes in the different forms of handwork included in the book.
I am first and foremost a needlework designer. Next, I have been crocheting for more years than I care to consider. I taught myself to knit (finally) about 7 years ago when I learned the continental style of knitting – for some reason, the English style felt unnatural to me. That is something I have heard is common with people who crochet before they learn to knit. I have used double points and circular needles but only the double points for making the few pairs of knitted socks I have finished in the past. I have used a knitting loom, but not the Addi Express. My husband does most of the loom knitting and machine knitting in our family, so he was interested in purchasing the Addi Express to add to his arsenal.
What is wonderful about this book is that it caters to all of the various choices I would like to try. It has lovely patterns for all, so if I am better at one type than another, I can find socks that I will want to make no matter what.
The knit and crochet patterns are provided both in alphabetical and in chart format. The crochet terms are written in the US format but others can follow the charted formats with little difficulty. The authors did not provide a key for English format but most crocheters have one at hand in any case. They also did not provide names of yarns used or weight sizes (other than lengths/grams.) While I can figure it out, I really prefer it when a pattern gives the weight as well. I would also like to see a referral site that could provide on-line sources for materials.
I really appreciate the chart format when it comes to knitting. I sometimes have to read instructions over and over again, so being able to see what I am reading is a huge plus for me. I love the variety of patterns available for knitting and am looking forward to trying a number of them.
The crochet patterns give a wide choice (though not as many as the various knit formats.) The book is really designed more for the knitter but the crochet patterns are also very nice and provide a good variety of styles. I would buy this for a crocheter if they already knew how to knit or had expressed interest in learning how.
I have never tried either spiral knit socks or loomed socks, so I am really looking forward to trying those styles. The patterns for the spiral knit (tube style) socks look like fun as I won’t have to make heels. The loomed socks all have a similar type of look but the speed with which they can be made may make them a great choice for making sock gifts.
There is also a good bit of information provided on felting wool. I have been felting wool in handbags and other household items since I learned to knit – being able to felt my knitted goods was the big motivator in my learning how to knit at all. I have also felted my crocheted items. I’m glad to see it is re-surfacing as it had seemed to go out of style for a bit. I will note that felting wool items works best in a top loader washer with an agitator but it can be done with a front loader. I sometimes have to go through the wash twice to get the finished good that I want.
I received a temporary digital ARC copy of this book from the publisher, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., via Netgalley. I will be purchasing the paper format of this book in order to stitch a number of the patterns, knit and crochet. I think this is a great book to add to my craft library and recommend it for others who love to both knit and crochet.
“101 Socks: Circular Needles, Felted, Addi-Express, Toe Up, Crocheted, and Spiral Knit” is a great book for someone, like me, who is more experienced in a single method of stitching but wants to try more varieties of styles. There are socks and slippers included. The sizes range from infant (knitted booties) to children to adult. At the back of the book, there is a fantastic guide that gives the number of stitches needed for various sizes in the different forms of handwork included in the book.