Second sock syndrome (SSS) is a terrible affliction upon the knitting community -- by the time you finish one beautifully shaped and fitted sock, you're tired of the pattern, the yarn, or just making socks (though how could you?). Anyway, knitters have been looking for a way to avoid SSS, and the easiest way is to knit both socks at the same time.

As you can imagine there are various ways around this and Melissa Morgan-Oakes shows us one method using a 40" circular needle to knit two socks at the same time. This books is spiral bound and lays neatly open to the page you're working with. There are lots of pictures of the steps to cast on, divide the cast on stitches for the sock, and start kntting in the round so that the two socks are separate but on the same needle and can be knit equally so you finish the both at the same time. It may look tricky but there are lots of photos and helpful hints -- it really does work.

The book also contains knitting patters for 17 socks. Most some have patterns, some strips (lots of stripes), and lots with cables. These are nice standard socks in various yarns and basic styles. Nothing truly fancy but all of the pattern will knit up into solid socks for cold feet from women, men, to younglings. The pattern stitches all are on charts--at least I didn't see any written out line-by-line and I went through the book 4 times. There's also a informative section on the parts of a sock, which the author (and I) believe make it easier to figure out what you're doing and how it all fits together. There are also helpful tips and hints throughout in the patterns.

This is a great beginner sock book. For the experienced sock knitter just looking to learn this technique, it great especially if you learn well from photo with some description. The how-to will show you what you need to know to continue to develop your own patterns.

I LOVE IT! This book first of all lays FLAT because it is spiral bound. I have knit socks with double point needles and tried 2 circular needle sock knitting but this is hands down the best way! I suggest you make sure to buy at least a 40" circular needle and the best one would be the bamboo ones because the tubing is VERY soft & bendable. This book is great, easy to follow, and has some really nice patterns. I would suggest that you be a fairly good knitter and if you have knitted socks it would be a very big plus!

I have been wanting to get this book for a while (unfortunately paid more for it at a chain store) and it has lived up to my expectations. I have started a pair and the directions are very clear. The first trial pair are very step-by-step with clear pictures. Then at the beginning of every pattern in the book there are very clear lists of what stitches are used so you know ahead of time what you are getting into. I love the way she layed out each pattern subdividing each 'part' of the sock ie: "knitting the leg", "working the heel", "turning the heel", etc. It is a great book for beginners, but don't let that 'put off' experienced sock knitters as there are a lot of really nice patterns in this book for both types of knitters. There are basic 'Ragg-type', to colorwork, to fancy cables and lace. I started with "Berry Season". It's a short ankle sock with an easy 4 row stitch. I have made a pair of socks (one) on circs (one sock on one circ---couldn't bare to hold 4 DPN's--I'm a crocheter at heart) but this is my first attempt at two on one and while it is a tiny bit tricky at first, once you get past the first couple of rows it is easy (get rid of your starting tail as soon as you know you are going to make the pair as it gets in the way). There is a good glossary in the back with the assumption that you know how to basically knit. And there are good pattern stitch keys and a really nice sizing chart. The book is on a wire spine so it lies flat when open--a nice plus. Thanks Ms Morgan-Oakes for a really nice book.

This is a pretty good book for intermediate knitters who want to get in with the magic loop crowd. Morgan-Oakes spends a good 17 pages explaining the magic loop technique. Her instructions aren't overly illuminating (it took me a few solid hours to understand precisely what she was saying each step of the way), but they aren't horrid either. A few more pictures would have helped, but I got by alright.

The patterns, on the other hand, are disappointing. I found 4 out of the 17 patterns worth making. The rest are quite boring, dowdy, and "crafty" looking. I think Morgan-Oakes was trying to offer a variety of patterns (one for the fashionista, one for baby, one for the rugged hiker etc.), but in doing so, she loses any kind of continuity. If your tastes in socks are wide and all encompassing then you will enjoy the patterns in this book. If you are a discriminating knitter, like me, then you will be disappointed and, perhaps, even a little horrified at the "Ragg Hiker" socks, which are a nothing if not a throwback to the 90's.

Initially, I was attracted to the book by the socks on the cover (the color, the texture--it just works), but the pattern is actually for a child's foot. That was a bummer. But either way, with Morgan-Oake's book, I achieved what I set out to do--knit two socks on one circular needle. The technique is indispensible for anyone who is a periodic sock or sweater knitter. It gets rid of the second sock/sleeve syndrome nicely.

Final verdict: get it at the library.

I'm just learning to knit socks. Since I can't use the dp needles, the 2 circular needle method and teh 1 circular needle method are a blessing for me. The pictures are very good and helpful.

I found the directions in this book incomplete, and, while the color photos are really beautiful, they don't show the step-by-step as much as I needed it to. I had to do outside research to understand the technique she's showing us here. Once I figured that out, I had to figure out how to keep my various strands of yarn from becoming intertwined (which I don't see addressed in this book), especially when you flip the work.

I learned a thing or two from this book, but, I think this book is best suited to experienced sock knitters who know a thing or two about the magic loop method. A beginner will probably not be able to 'read between the lines' in the directions without research from other sources. When I spend my hard-earned money on a book, I don't expect to have to do additional homework to understand what the author is trying to say.

I, too, am a hands on person who has struggled for knitting success via books. But, socks? Forget it. I'd be bored after finishing one on DPNs, which is only good for people with one foot. Until now. This book was super helpful for me in managing the two sock on one circular needle technique. Now I'm knitting both socks at once so finishing the second one is no longer an issue. Is it THE perfect sock book? No. I would have liked fewer "stock" patterns and more techniques as mentioned by others: toe-up, short row and variations on the tube sock (in case you don't know what size foot you're knitting for). However, I'm very pleased overall with the purchase and would recommend it. It was worth the price just to get the technical instructions for the "how to". The spiral binding is great for balancing flat in a lap or over a chair arm, as well as "normal" surfaces. I would also like to recommend the circular needles available at [...] The needles are beautiful, well made, reasonably priced and the cable is very flexible, which is crucial for this technique. Sock needles come in 40" and 47" inch lengths. I use the 47" for my sock knitting and have had no problem from the start.

Normally, I am a very hands on person, and haven't had the time to take a class to learn this technique. But it has been forever, and I really wanted to wrap my brain around the knitting of two socks at once--that seems like heaven! Saw the book on a yarn site, came here and ordered it (cheaper, I might add!) and viola!! I am now, one month later, on my second set of socks!!! LOVE IT. The photos and details made it click. And I have seen the technique shown in other books with two circular needles, and this uses only one...even better!! (As to it being only my second set in a month, I might also add, I am a "take it with me to do" kind of knitter...so not daily.)

If you have done sock on a magic hoop, you will love this book. Great instructions, and sock patterns. The instructions are easy to follow and the book has good pictures.

I haven't tried the patterns yet, but the book seems very straight forward. Only complaint is that many of the patterns were working in multicolored yarn which makes it hard to see the actual design.

This technique for knitting socks is wonderful, but it does have its downsides. You have to purchase 40" long circulars, the progress will be a lot slower, and the yarn tangles quite a bit. But the best part of using this technique is that you will have both socks done at the same time. No more second sock syndrome. Additionally, you won't be constantly losing double pointed needles and there will be far fewer ladders in the finished sock.

As for the book, it is a complete waste of money. It does clearly demonstrate how to complete a sock using one circular, but that only takes up a very small portion of the book. It also does not contain instructions for toe-up socks, which is the preferred method for most magic loop sock knitters. There are numerous tutorials on the web that explain this technique beautifully. It is absolutely unnecessary to purchase an entire book for one technique. Just do a google search and don't waste your money!

Even though I have been knitting for quite awhile, I found this book to be very confusing. I kept trying to follow their step by step directions, but there weren't enough pictures to let me know I was on the right track.
I gave up, ordered the book that shows you how to knit two socks on two circular needles, and have already completed three pairs of socks!

Never mind the patterns; the key is learning the technique, which this book conveys admirably. Any pattern can be adapted for knitting this way. If you can knit the Magic Loop way you can knit this way as well. "Hefty" cost of a 40" circular needle is 11$ tops; I use this for all my socks. Some people whine needlessly about the cost of buying anything new. Buy one needle and you will use it for years. Just make sure the cable is nice and flexible (and use the hot water/steam method to relax it). I knit with Inox and like them very much.

I really like this book. I like the binding, I like the size(it fits in my knitting bag), I like that the photos are well done and that the explanations are pretty complete. I liked the patterns, and that each pattern comes with both written instructions as well as a chart. I would've liked to have seen at least a couple of patterns that were a little more challenging, once you got the hang of the technique. This is an excellent book for a slightly experienced beginner at making socks. The technique is honestly a little "fiddly" to start, but then so was knitting in general until I got the hang of it.

Charlene Schurch's books and this one as well as Cat Bordhi's New Pathways are about the only sock books I can think of that I'd *NEED* to be able to do any sock out there any way I wanted to do it. I have really enjoyed this book and would absolutely recommend it.

I was a little disappointed in this book. I think it might be a very basic book for beginners, but I didn't find any new ideas in it and I am looking for new ideas.

As someone who had previously made socks toe up only (one at a time, on magic loop), it's very possible that I was simply overwhelmed by trying too many new things at once. I found nothing that I liked about this technique, and the entire process seemed very unintuitive. Someone who prefers cuff-down socks may take to this like a duck to water. I, however, took to it more like a duck to fire.

Not only do I not enjoy cuff-down construction, I also don't care for the look of the kitchener toe. To me, the socks in the pictures looked more like house shoes than socks. That's the nature of the beast with cuff-down socks, and my opinion is simply my opinion in that arena.

The book is well done as far as its construction (spiral bound), picture quality, and level of detail. There's also a helpful area in the back where she lists the average lengths of most shoe sizes. I did enjoy that part.

Be forewarned that only a short section of this book is dedicated to the technique-- the rest is filled with patterns. Also, there is only one recipe for socks. No instructions for short row heels or toes. It's simply flap and gusset. If that is your preference, then this book may be for you.

I'm currently -successfully-- following a free online tutorial called Silver's Sock Class that has detailed instructions with photos for making toe-up socks, two-at-a-time, on magic loop. This duck has found her water. May you find yours.

I bought this book because I thought I had lost or someone had stolen the first one that I bought. I have since found the first one, so now have two copies which I will give to somebody who wants it.

It's a lovely book with great pictures, instructions and patterns which is why the 2 stars BUT I hate the technique! I teach knitting and have someone who wants to learn this technique. I bought this along with Gillingham's "Knitting Circles Around Socks." I took both books, yarn and needles on a cross country trip. I'm sorry to say I started with this book. By the time I finished the 2" cuffs I could have fininshed one sock using DPs. Whan I was a few inches into the leg I pulled the needle from the cable and now need a new 40" cable needle because I will finish. I visited a fiber shop while in Montana spoke with the owner about this technique and she agreed that it was not the easiest and she loves the Gillingham technique. I have to agree with the reviewer about how much use you will get with 40" cables.

I got this book because my husband shoe size is 13 and it takes me so long to make two socks for him--talk about the one sock problem!!. I read it and bookmarked about three patterns. Then I put it down. I do think that this book is good and it explains everything very well but I feel I have to have time to really understand it and do it. Nothing is wrong with the writing or how it was written but I am slow at understanding what is going on --then a liglht comes on and I am OK. I plan in the near future to try this--I will take a day without distraction and follow the written text and feel I will have no trouble figuring it out. The patterns are very well written and the photography is well done too. The sizing for the socks is very good. Looks like I only need to find that day and get started. Anyone who wants to try this book --it is very well written and informative and I would buy it again if I had't already. I have read the other books that use the 40" needles and don't follow them as well. 5 stars or the highest rating I can give to this author and this book

I am teaching myself to do this. I expected to rip out start a couple of times but only needed to once. Actually, the only problem I encountered in the book was the directions for sizes at the end of the book which uses a measure for "circumference" but I could not find where exactly on the foot one would measure that. Biggest problem I have currently is finding time to sit and knit, but look forward to becoming much more proficient by making a couple of pair of baby socks then she has a darling sock pattern I expect to make more than one pair of!

This book is exactly what I was looking for. I'm learning to be a sock knitter and wanted a way to knit both socks at once to make sure they're the same length. I've tried other methods and found them confusing so I was looking for a book with instructions for using the very long circular needle, i.e., the Magic Loop. This is it!

The section of the book with instructions (about 21 pages) has clear directions with good photos to go along the verbiage. It's easy to follow Melissa's directions.

The remainder of the book has wonderful sock patterns along with the instructions for each.

The book has a heavy-duty spiral binding to lay flat while you're working as well as heavy pages. This is a set of directions you can use over and over without wearing out the pages.

An excellent book for the sock knitter.

For years I struggled with trying to make socks on DP needles. I'd finish one sock and then say 'forget it' to making the 2nd one. The DP needles were just too annoying to me. I hated working with them. But this way of knitting socks (or anything else for that matter) using a 40" circular needle is WONDERFUL.
My first sock was knitted as a single since I knew I would mess up somewhere and have to redo it.. and I did. But once I figured out what I was doing the 2nd sock was a breeze. Now I can knit both socks at the same time, they will both be the same size and no more losing a DP needle, or having it fall out on a round and dropping stitches, etc. This book is well written and has nice spiral binding so that you can keep on the page you need. There are clear directions and other sock patterns for beginners to advanced.
I HIGHLY recommend this book!!!

I have to admit that I have only completed two pairs of socks on circular needles and would rate myself as an intermediate knitter. After looking through this book, I decided to return it as I didn't think I would be able to use this technique without wanting to tear my hair out. The diagrams seemed clear and there are several nice sock patterns but for now I'm just going to concentrate on knitting one sock at a time.

One of the problems with knitting socks is the second sock syndrome, where you just don't feel like starting all over again once you finish the first one. This technique solves that problem and both socks are going to be the same number of rows this way, therefore ensuring a better fit. Nice!

This book has good clear instructions for knitting one type of sock -- though it could use more and better pictures. However, I wish it had additional advice on different types of knitting, such as toe-up. It could also use suggestions for converting regular patterns into this method.

I haven't yet started 2 socks on 1 needle but will soon. This books instruction looks easy and the patterns are wonderful. I also like the fact that it is spiral bound.

I finally get it! I've been trying to make two socks at once for years without success. But, with this book, and the clear pictures I have just finished my first pair of socks. I love it!

I bought this book knowing I did not have the patience to knit a pair of anything one at a time. I had never knit a sock before. I also had never used circular needles before. I began, as suggested, with the baby sized socks to get a feel for the concept. It went very well although I did find one printing error which I communicated to the author who said she would notify her publisher...pg 27, shaping the toe reads, "on sock B, ssk, knit to the last three stitches of sock B, K2tog, K1. On sock A, K1, ssk, knit to the last three stitches of sock A, K2tog, K1." It should read, "on sock B, K1, ssk," etc. I'm on my third pair of socks. This is a really good book on how to learn a very, cool skill...we all can use a pair of socks!

The book is nicely written with good illustrations. Several interesting sock patterns are included using a variety of yarns and needle sizes. I have been knitting socks for over twenty years and have experienced "second sock syndrom" and was looking for a way to avoid this challenge. However, after trying a pair of socks on a 40" needle I will stick to knitting one sock at a time on two circurlar needles.

I was having problems knitting only one sock on a circular needle, this book really help me understand small diameter knitting on circular needles, I may never use double pointed needles again. I do wish the illustrations were larger, which is the only reason I could not give this book 5 stars, but the accompanying instructions made it very clear. No more single sock syndrome. The 2 @ a time tips are really helpful.

My review differs somewhat from the others. Yes the book has wonderful photos; and, yes, the binding allows the pages to lie flat; and, yes, the text is clearly written. However, the instructions for knitting 2 socks on 1 circular needle take up only (to be generous) 18 pages out of 143 in the book. I would have preferred many more pages of instructions with larger and clearer photographs (as well as longer and better explanations), sacrificing a few of the sock patterns which one can find in every sock book nowadays. Also, I was extremely disappointed to find that the only explanation and all the patterns are for traditional top-down heel/gusset type socks...with no explanations given on how to work toe-up or short-row heel socks (which was primarily what I was looking for). Thus, although it is a pretty book, it is offers me little new advice (except perhaps a few paragraphs for casting on and managing cables for 2 socks) over what I've already learned from Sarah Hauschka's "The Magic Loop" pamphlet. I am disappointed in this book.

I've gotten this book in hope i will improve my 2-on-1 circular technique. the way i knit now request transfering 1/4th of the stitches on the holder and back at one point, and it annoys me. Melissa has a very good technique, and i especially love her cast on, I went mad with all the complicated cast ons where you first have to put a half of the stitches on, and then stitches for the other sock and so on. But what annoys me a bit is the fact that one heel is 1 row shorter than the other in order to avoid transfering stitches. i just can't force myself to do that, my heels, and the rest of the sock have to be perfectly symetrical. other than that, i love her technique, but i really see no way how to add that extra row on the heel without messing everything up, or not having a nice cast on. i love all patterns in the book, and i'm definetly going to knit all of them (or at least more than half), and i'm very happy i've gotten this book. Thank you, Melissa, for writing it.

Melissa's 2-at-a-time technique requires 40-inch circular needles. If you already have 40-inch circulars, or don't mind the hefty cost of adding them to your collection, you'll be very happy with this book. It has lots of cute patterns, good directions, photos.

What a concept! The technique works well with mittens, gloves and the new rage of fingerless mitts. It allows the crafter to create identical items without the tedium of counting rows and endless measuring.

The format of the book is perfect for a knitter as the internal spine allows the book to lie flat for easy following of the pattern. The photos are clear and with the technical shots and well written text the technique is easy to master.

As always Melissa's patterns are distinctive, perfectly written and easy to follow. This book shold be in every knitters reference library.

I've been hearing about knitting socks 2-at-a-time for a while now, but no description ever quite got the concept across to me. This clear, beautifully photographed book FINALLY got the idea through my head and into my fingers. My family will be so happy that I won't abandon sock designs after only knitting the first one anymore. The instructions alone are worth the price, but the included patterns are an incredible bonus. I'll be knitting socks out of this book for a long, long time to come (and all the pairs will be finished at the same time and they'll MATCH, hallelujah!).