Knitting Socks is an excellent book with straight forward instructions that make sense. I'd tried several patterns before I found this book at the library and I loved it so much that I bought it! Happy knitting!

Great book!! I borrowed it from my library and realized that I wanted to own it. Anyone who wants to knit socks should buy this book. It is the best one of its kind.

I've been a knitter for several years, but never brought myself to knit socks. I decided to get this book to teach myself how to knit socks, and I couldn't have been happier with it! The instructions are so clear, and I was able to knit my first pair in a matter of days with minimal mistakes. I also enjoy all the patterns that are included within the book, as they go from a basic sock pattern to more complex cabled and lace patterns for when you progress. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is intimidated to tackle knitting socks...you'll have your first pair of handmade socks before you know it!

This is the best, clearest, step-by-step how-to for sock knitting. It goes through each step in the process with nicely laid out pages and photographs, and also gives patterns according to each type of yarn weight. In the back there are lists of varieties of stitches you can substitute. I had never knit a sock before buying this book, and I have no problems knitting them now thanks to this book.

I haven't even been knitting for more than half a year and have never followed a pattern. I got this book and am almost done knitting my second sock. I've never even knitted in the round before! If I can knit a sock, anybody can (using this book)!!!

I am teaching myself - very slowly - to knit - and this book is clearly written - even I can understand it!

I found this one a good sorce for first time socks I was able to complete a pair after reading the instructions and following a pattern.

I saw a reference to this book on a yarn company's website and thought I would check it out. I wanted to learn how to turn a sock heel well. If you want to learn to make socks, this is the book. For those who are familiar with Ann Budd's wonderful The Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns, her sock book is similar in style. It gives you a framework of basic styles and the directions for different sizes, gauges and yarn types, then allows you room to happily play with her ideas and come up with some of your own. I have been knitting for about 60 years and I learned a couple of tricks from her that I absolutely love, like the felting method of joining wool yarns and the K3 P1 rib that has the perfect degree of stretch for socks. This book is good for both beginners and experts. It starts with the simplest basics and includes some intricate patterns for the skilled show-offs, too. Great book.

I purchased this book as I decided that it was about time that knitting socks would no longer intimadate me. While I think that the book is informative and I found a few sock patterns I would like to attempt to try once I learn the basic. I need something more of a teaching book. I would recommed this book for anyone who already knows how to knit socks.

Wow! After purchasing about five other sock-knitting how-to books, HERE'S the one I should have bought at the very first!

Not only does Ms. Budd cover the rudiments of sock making and shaping, etc, she covers about every GAUGE imaginable. Do you want to make socks out of a bulky Boucle yarn? No problem! She has the gauge for that. Wanna try out socks with a basic worsted weight? She's got that here too! PLUS, she has all sorts of beautiful stitches to jazz up your socks. She even has the stitches divided up according to their repeats, so you can easily find a stitch pattern that will work with the amount of stitches you need for your gauge.

I haven't gotten through all the book yet. But what I've seen so far is...WOW! I've got another book on order from Ms. Budd. Can't wait!

In short: BUY THIS ONE. Yeah!

I tried several other sock knitting books (with terrible results and frustration!) before I stumbled upon this gem. This was the book that FINALLY made sock knitting make sense to me!

The book begins with an in-depth explanation of the anatomy of a sock as well as all the skills that you'll need to knit one. From there, it gives you several "recipes" to knit socks based on stitches-per-inch. In the back of the book, there are also some nice patterns. The book also gives you some different stitch patterns (different ribs, cables, etc) to mix in to your basic socks when you are ready to try something new.

I read the entire introduction to this book to begin with, and then I made a swatch from some yarn I had laying around. Based on the stitches per inch that I got, I went to the page of the book for the "X Stitches Per Inch" sock, and it walked me through my first top-down sock! It was as easy as pie. After many failed attempts with other books, I couldn't believe how easy this book made it.

Note that all the patterns in this book are knitted top-down. If you want to learn to knit toe-up socks, you'll want to look elsewhere.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to get started in sock knitting. It's a great jumping off place. This book helps you truly understand the shapes and techniques of sock knitting -- and once you have a firm grasp on those, the sky is the limit!

This is the best book in the practical how-to category I ever read. While waiting for more yarn to come in for a never-ending sweater,I picked up this book and some yarn and knitted my first pair of socks, ever. I did it to kill time. Now I am hooked. This book is extremely logical and I just did what it said, step-by-step, and voila! All I want to do is socks now - fast, easy, fun, you can make them more complicated, inexpensive, give them away...and who doesn't need socks? Hurray for Ann Budd!!!

This book is written very clearly. I just made one sock in two days!!! And i'm not a knitter!!! If your looking for a book to teach you how to knit socks than look no further.

My own knitting experience has, until this point, been limited to scarves, hats, shawls and (in 1976) a couple of sweaters - I've not had the nerve or the inclination to knit socks. With this book as a guide, however, I think I'm ready to make the plunge: Ann Budd gives detailed guidance on each step and provides instruction on how to make sure the sock you make fits its intended victim - I mean, recipient. Once you're comfortable with the basic sock, the book also contains a number of additional patterns to help you spread hand knit socks among all your friends and relations.

If you have ever knitted a sock before, this book offers nothing new. Definitely for beginners only.

got this book at the library and had to have it. I had a desire to knit some socks (it's winter-don't ask) and found other books very hard to understand. this book has very clear instructions, large illustrations for the hard parts, and instructions for all different types of yarn so you can experiment. p.s. the socks turned out great - making pair #3.!

I am a beginning knitter and I would highly recommend this book. I just finished knitting my first sock and it's beautiful! I taught myself to knit with this book and The Knitting Answer Book: Solutions to Every Problem You'll Ever Face; Answers to Every Question You'll Ever Ask by Margaret Radcliffe. Both are well worth the price.

Great book to learn how to knit socks. Well written, easy to follow, great patterns. Brilliantly colored pictures, and a variety of skill levels. Well worth the cost and even if you aren't at sock level, great for your library.

I can't tell you how much I love this book. I took a sock knitting class and I still referred to this book. The photos are excellent for learning the steps involved in making the sock. All the instructions are there that you need to make a basic sock plus everything you need to move beyond that.

This is truly an excellent book and great for your knitting library!

I love this book for knitting socks, It's very understandable, It has photo's to show exsamples of how to knit the socks, that helps a great deal with the instuctions. Good Book for all stages of sock knitting.

If you have never knitted socks or are befuddled by pattern instructions, you will truly benefit from this book. I've read quite a few sock books and patterns and this, although a bit homely and with only a few, basic styles, will really kick-start your sock knitting career with its extremely clear illustrations and written instructions. This book will teach you most of what you need to know to knit ANY sock pattern.

I had never knit socks prior to opening this wonderful book. It is clear, concise and easily understood. I had always feared trying to knit socks because I did not understand how to turn the heel. This book was so straight forward - turning turned out not to be any big deal! Highly recommended. I plan to buy Ann Budd's other books.

This book is easy to follow and understand. Well illustrated with excellent photos which reinforce the written details. The best feature of this book is that the sock patterns are listed by gauge (stitches per inch) which makes it easy to find a pattern based on your knitted swatch. This means that you have the freedom of choosing the yarns you want to use.

I got this bug to knit socks for the whole family and had never knit a pair of socks before. I bought several "how to" books before I started. This was the book that I ended up using over and over. It has great pictures and illustrations. I found all the instructions clearly explained and easy to follow. She explains how to make socks in detail before you get to the patterns so you have a clue what you are doing before you start. When you need to reference any part in the "how to" section it is easy to find in the clearly defined sections. When you get to the pattern section, I especially liked that she separated the patterns by gauge (ex: 8 stitches per inch, 7 stitches per inch, etc) so you can follow the one based on the gauge you knit in as well as being able to use it different types of yarn. I started knitting socks about a month ago and I am on my fifth pair. I highly recommend this book.

I tried knitting socks with another book and did not succeed. I thought I would try this one and it was a great success. It takes you through each step in making socks and explains the difficult parts - gusset, heel turn - very well. The illustrations are amazing. Highly recommended for making socks.

I am a complete visual learner, and with the widespread availabiltly of "how to" videos on the internet, who needs to waste money on a still-shot book, right?

WRONG!

I have never found a video or tutorial on the internet that is a thourough as this book. It completely explains each intimidating step of the construction of a sock. I only recently learned how to knit and sock are only my third project. I was able to make a pair of socks that not only fit me, but fit me well.

Another brilliant part of the book is that it has a basic sock pattern for every weight yarn. So if you are either scared to use superfine weight yarn (or simply cannot find it due to unavailability) there are patterns from sportweight to DK to bulky, making it really nice if you are stash-busting.

Once you are comfortable with a basic sock, the book advances to show you techniques that involve lacework and how to use varigated yarns to their optimum beauty. And because the book breaks down each individual part of a sock and variations on each part, you quickly find yourself picking and choosing from a variety of different options, making each pair of socks one-of-a-kind and your very own.

I highly recommend this book to any novice knitter who is dying to learn how to make socks. It will be money well spend and a reference that will have a home on your pattern shelf for years.

I really wanted to learn how to knit socks, and I'm glad I chose this book! The instructions are very extensive with great pictures to help you along the way. It even has variations of ribbing for the socks and many different patterns to knit. The socks are beautiful and there's tips for fixing common errors when knitting socks (e.g., gusset holes, socks that are too big, etc.) At the beginning, there is a whole section dedicated to the basics of knitting socks, like how to turn the heel and work the toe. This book was extremely helpful, and my socks are beautiful! A nice choice for anyone interested in learning how to knit socks.

If you swear that no book can teach you sock knitting, that you need someone to sit with you for a month and show you how, this is the book that will change your mind. As observed in other reviews, the instructions and photos are impeccable, but I want to tell you about the layout! This is among the most intelligently laid-out instructional books I've ever seen.

Many other sock books will lead you through the steps: Step one, cast on. There follows four pages on how to cast on. Step two, knit x rows of ribbing. There follows two pages on how to knit ribbing. Step three, begin the heel flap. There follows five pages . . . you get the idea. Ann Budd separates the how-tos from the overview, the clear, abbreviated instructions, in which the rhythm of the whole thing is evident -- and you never, ever lose sight of the path. Struggling with the heel flap? Refer back to the how-to section where you'll find detailed, SUPERB photos and instruction, then return to the three-page abbreviated instructions and continue on. And here's evidence of that layout brilliance: Each such how-to section is confined to a clearly demarcated set of pages (with lots of pix and lots of white space), and is not part of a huge flowing unit of text that covers thirty pages which you must search to find the part you want.

Once you've completed a pair of socks or two or three, you don't need to turn back to the how-to section, and -- lo! You're ready to knit any pair of socks from anyone else's abbreviated instructions (*Sl 1 pwise wyib, k 1; rep from * and the like).

Also, because the sock patterns here are classed strictly by gauge (5 stitches to the inch, e.g.), you're not tied to specific brands of yarn. Handspinners rejoice! Knit up a swatch of a given handspun yarn, select the page of instructions that matches the gauge and GO.

Just what I was looking for to teach my knitting club students how to knit terrifically wearable socks.

This book gives clear and concise directions/explainations for all tecniques needed to knit socks. I knit my first pair of socks very successfully with the basic pattern, and the book still has enough variety of patterns to keep me busy for a long time. I think even experienced sock knitters will find something new in this book.

I have never knit socks before except for my Fuzzy Feet slippers that were intended to be felted (thus, no need to worry about little mistakes). I bought this book based on the previous recommendations on Amazon.com and after looking through it at a local store.

I was also curious about knitting socks with two circular needles and though this book does not explain in detail how to do so, the instructions on how to knit socks based on dpns is so well thought out, clearly described and illustrated, that I had no trouble attempting my first pair on two circulars. Ann Budd does briefly describe and illustrate several methods for knitting in the round (dpns, two circulars, one circular).

She also explains several methods for flexible cast-ons, finishing the toe of the sock, avoiding or fixing the hole that tends to occur at the top of the gussets, making the heel and toe more durable, etc. There are several wonderful patterns that even an experienced sock knitter would enjoy AND Ann Budd explains several variations for any pattern that would get you on your way to a customized sock.

I really appreciate the fact that the sock patterns are not yarn-specific and, instead, are based on number of stitches per inch. I bought some yarn that I really liked and needles that fell in the middle of the range listed on the yarn. Then I did a gauge swatch, counted the number of stitches per inch and found a pattern in this book to match. So easy!

It is an excellent book and very colorful.

The pictures on the cover of this book are what first drew my eye. And I had seen Ann Budd's designs for Interweave, so it was a pretty easy sell. I love how user friendly the book is. My only complaint is that they weren't able to fit the toe-up socks into this version, but I guess that just means there will be second volume! Yay!

I found this book to be very helpful. I had knitted socks previously but had forgotten all the steps. With Ann Budd's book, I am now on a roll with the sock knitting. The instructions are clearly written and the illustrations very helpful.

Edited to add: I have now turned the heel and picked up the stitches on my first sock. This book was great; it showed me exactly how to pick up the stitches, pictures of what I was doing, etc. I wasn't using the learning pattern from the book, but I wanted to know that I wasn't totally messing up. Whenever I feel unsure, I turn back to this book, and it always comes through. I am so glad I have something to help walk me through my first sock.

When I decided to learn to knit socks, Ann Budd seemed the logical choice. I own two of her other books, the Handy Book of Patterns and the Handy Book of Sweater Patterns, and the great lay out and clear explanations really sold me. My Borders actually had a copy, and so I was able to find out that the book is really great, but with a few things that disappointed me. Here's the good and the bad.

The Good

1. The book is not spiral bound, but it lays flat. I opened it at several different places, and it still laid flat. That was a definite plus.

2. Huge amounts of very clear illustrations. Kitchener stitch looks easy in this book.

3. She starts with a sock with I think worsted weight yarn, and walks you through it. This is really great.

4. She explains why certain yarns are good for socks; such as yarn that has nylon, because it is much harder wearing. Also, she explains that certain yarns can be worn inside a shoe, others without a shoe, etc.

5. There are many trouble shooting tips throughout the book. How to prevent ladder stitches (loose stitches running up your sock where the round is joined) and other things I didn't even know could happen to a sock. It's like having a mini fix it book inside the book.

The Bad

So far, there's just one 'bad' that has bugged me. I have never used double pointed needles, and the lack of pictures to help explain exactly how the double pointed needle thing worked bothered me. There are pictures, of course, just not the amount that I would have liked to see as someone who has never ever used them. You can peruse it at your own book store, just to be sure that you want the book. I would say in favor of getting it.

I am definitely getting this book. It looks really, really good, and the perfect companion to getting started knitting socks.

When I decided to learn to knit socks, Ann Budd seemed the logical choice. I own two of her other books, the Handy Book of Patterns and the Handy Book of Sweater Patterns, and the great lay out and clear explanations really sold me. My Borders actually had a copy, and so I was able to find out that the book is really great, but with a few things that disappointed me. Here's the good and the bad.

The Good

1. The book is not spiral bound, but it lays flat. I opened it at several different places, and it still laid flat. That was a definite plus.

2. Huge amounts of very clear illustrations. Kitchener stitch looks easy in this book.

3. She starts with a sock with I think worsted weight yarn, and walks you through it. This is really great.

4. She explains why certain yarns are good for socks; such as yarn that has nylon, because it is much harder wearing. Also, she explains that certain yarns can be worn inside a shoe, others without a shoe, etc.

5. There are many trouble shooting tips throughout the book. How to prevent ladder stitches (loose stitches running up your sock where the round is joined) and other things I didn't even know could happen to a sock. It's like having a mini fix it book inside the book.

The Bad

So far, there's just one 'bad' that has bugged me. I have never used double pointed needles, and the lack of pictures to help explain exactly how the double pointed needle thing worked bothered me. There are pictures, of course, just not the amount that I would have liked to see as someone who has never ever used them. You can peruse it at your own book store, just to be sure that you want the book. I would say in favor of getting it.

I am definitely getting this book. It looks really, really good, and the perfect companion to getting started knitting socks.

Ann Budd has made a clearly illustrated, beautifully detailed book. It has the best pictures and instructions I've seen -- like a more detailed and colorful Handy Book of Patterns. I love it -- and I have 12 other sock books. She includes general patterns as well as "this is the reasoning behind it, measure your feet and you can make them perfect for yourself" kind of patterning. It's nice to have both. Well done.