Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #29436 in Books
• Published on: 2009-04-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 144 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781596681095
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

Review
Physically this is one book, but its contents can easily be divided into two sub-books. First, you get a mind-bendingly thorough design and technique master class. And second, you get a collection of 15 gorgeous, innovative, and extremely tempting sock patterns. In the first half of the book, Cookie reveals an array of invaluable design secrets. We're not just talking about toes and gussets here, although she outlines those with great clarity. Likewise, she explains afterthought heels in a way that makes me want to cast on and experiment right now. We're talking things like inverting stitch patterns so that you can knit them both in the round and in right-side/wrong-side rows. Also, converting and re-charting flat stitch pattern charts into charts you can follow in the round. Cookie writes with intelligence and passion, and assumes the same degree of intelligence and avidity in her reader, which makes this book an extremely refreshing read. She has a gift for explaining things we may already know instinctively, but in a way that finally gives us an "a-ha!" moment of true revelation. These are small things, like how we should decrease cable stitches when transitioning from cables to stockinette in order to prevent puckering in the fabric. Cookie then proceeds to deliver 15 original new designs. Her socks are not simple stockinette affairs,they tend to have the stunningly ornate and sculptural detail of a Gothic cathedral. While these may look complicated, they are entirely achievable by any knitter who knows how socks work, can read a chart, and has a little patience. Cookie A's sock patterns have been so popular that I know expectations were very high for this book. Having spent some time with it, I can say that the book meets and exceeds every expectation I had. This is a brilliant and valuable book that every avid sock knitter will want to own.-Knitter's Review An exciting book that will take the average sock knitter beyond their normal realm. The projects are quite challenging so I think it would be more useful for readers who can already knit socks and would like to move to the next stage. The projects and tutorials are extremely well presented and clearly laid out, with plenty of photos and a lot of helpful advice. It is definitely great value for money with lots of useful information and an array of challenging projects.-Craft Business Thought you knew everything about sock knitting? Think again! This book takes the craft of socks to a whole new level, exploring the principles of sock pattern symmetry, cables that travel off the grid, and how to make your own designs work hard for their yarn. It's advanced, almost mathematical stuff, yet clearly and carefully explained - this is incredibly rewarding knitting.-AllAboutYou.com One of the most hotly-anticipated knitting books of 2009, Cookie A's first book is an excellent introduction to both knitting and designing socks, as well as being packed with her typically intricate designs. [This] is a book of two halves, and unlike most pattern books not only encourages you to branch out - to make changes, to create your own designs, to innovate - but teaches you how to go about it. The first 50 pages delve into the elements of sock design. Cookie keeps the pages clutter-free and informative, packing them with details which will interest sock knitters of all stripes: for budding designers, the glimpse into her process and technical information is invaluable, while for knitters keen to develop their skills the technical information about different sock toes and heels or reading charts is clear and well-presented. While the book is worth a look for the technical information alone, the 15 patterns are both varied and interesting, using a wide range of skills and stitches. As Cookie comments in the introduction, "Any technique that can be used in a sweater can be done on a smaller scale in a sock. They provide the perfect learning ground for knitting design." Knitting socks is the ideal way to learn new techniques, and we hope that her beautiful, elegant designs will encourage knitters to dive in, try a cable, and prodjce a pair of lovely and unique socks.-Simply Knitting

Review

About the Author

Customer Reviews

Unacceptable number of errata
I love Cookie A socks. I have knitted half a dozen pair and am part of a group who is knitting every pattern in this book in order. The socks as pictured are gorgeous - as are all Cookie A socks. She is my favorite modern sock designer, hands down.

The problem lies with Interweave Press (NOT Cookie A.) who have put a book into print that has errors in NINE out of the 15 patterns. That is 60% of the patterns containing errors. I can understand one or two errors, but nine is unacceptable.

Yes, Interweave has corrections available for download at their site. But I don't want to download separate pieces of paper that I'm supposed to somehow stick in my book. I want a book that I don't have to mutilate or supplement in order to use. That is what I paid my money for. I pre-ordered the book, but never would have given Interweave my money for the product in the form it is in.

If you haven't purchased the book yet, I'd wait for the printing (I've been told it will be out in July) in which Interweave will fix the errors. I will change my rating to 5 stars when the errors are corrected.

You will drool.
My recommendation is to have that dread Second Sock of some boring sock about halfway done when you get your mitts on this book. First, because you will be motivated to finish it to clear those needles, and second because it will force you to read the stuff before the patterns. This is one of those rare books where the information is just as valuable and informative, if not moreso, than the patterns themselves.

Most sock books could almost swap the pre-pattern material--they talk about the parts of the sock, casting on, different heels and toes, etc, and maybe a special technique like shortrowing or Magic Loop. Sure, Cookie covers most of this, too, but the real meat is her discussion of how to create a sock design--not just how to pick a pattern you like, but how to arrange it on the sock, how to do the math to make it fit, and how to artfully switch from ribbing to pattern and pattern to heel and instep. It's like a master class in sock design!

Then, when you go to the pattern section, you'll be able to look at the patterns not just as scrumptious patterns, but as illustrations of the lessons she's teaching also.

The patterns are great; none of them a simple vanilla ribby sock. There are some reasonably easy ones and a few real showstoppers to tempt your needles. There is no duplication between the patterns she has available other places (like on Knitty)--these are all new designs, so if you like her online stuff, you will adore this book and get brand new patterns.

She does show parts (graphs) of some of her other socks: I saw the Monkey chart and the Pomotamus (or however it's spelt) charts in her section on converting charts, but no acknowledgement of their source. It might have been nice to have some caption like 'full pattern available on Knitty' or something for someone who saw that chart and picture and just fell in love. A small gripe and probably completely moot to those who will already know the name Cookie A.

It's not for beginners, though she does cover some of the basics: but it's certainly inspirational. If you're a sock addict, this is worth its weight in cashmere/alpaca/silk blend.

All I can say is "Wow"
You will not be sorry if you purchase this book. I can't think of another knitting book published in the last few years that I would give a glowing review, but I wholeheartedly will to this one. Not only are the patterns beautiful, unique, and well thought out, but you also get a clear, well explained description of the design process, including pointers on common problems that you might encounter in designing your own patterns and how to spot and fix those problems. To say it exceeded my expectations would be an understatement.