When people ask me, “What’s your favorite thing to knit?” the immediate answer that pops into my mind has never been, “Socks, of course!”
I’ve never been a ‘sock person’ (heck, I don’t even wear socks very often!)
I’ve knit many socks, I’ve designed a sock (okay, a pair of socks…) but although they’re not my go-to project of choice, I definitely appreciate sock knitters.
I’ve long felt that most of the staying power that the popularity of knitting has experienced over the past decade is due to the army of sock knitters who keep so much excitement bubbling in the knitting world.
In my quest to more fully appreciate the mystery of the sock, I’ve read several great sock books (Cat Bordhi, Ann Budd, Andi Smith and Charlotte Schurch have all written amazing sock books)
I would put Lara Neel’s* new book, Sock Architecture, up there with them.
What I particularly like about Lara’s book are the instructions and images. She uses clear graphics and photographs to work, step by step, through the techniques.
For a non-sock knitter like myself, these type of illustrations are very helpful. I can visualize a technique much better when I can see a few images, I really appreciate the amount of work that went into creating these images.
The book begins with an explanation of certain sock verbiage, why different heels and toes are named as they are, and the main differences between Eastern and Western socks. Foot shapes, sizes, and tailoring a sock for a specific foot are discussed in depth, as are tips and tricks for creating a really good-looking, well fitting sock.
The remainder of the book is divided into Top-Down and Toe-Up sock construction, with myriad heels and toes discussed under each topic. Patterns are provided for each of the variations discussed, and helpful charts allow the knitter to determine whether one of the standard sizes listed would work for their sock, or how they can do the math to create a custom fit.
One of the nice things about the book is – for lack of a better description – a ‘cut-and-paste’ layout which allows the knitter to either use the designs as written, or create their own design combining elements from various patterns.
As someone with rather long toes and a low arch, I find this SO helpful. Breaking down the patterns in this way also allowed me to understand more fully the actual construction of a sock.
I can’t see myself becoming a great sock knitter, but with Sock Architecture I will feel a bit less adrift when I tackle my next sock pattern.
*in full disclosure, Lara’s a friend of mine and photographed my upcoming Bolero book for Stackpole Press.Giveaway
Cooperative Press, the publisher of Sock Architecture, is allowing me to give away a copy of the book (as an eBook) to a lucky blog reader!
Simply leave a comment below, tell me the most challenging technique (in a sock, or in any other type of knitting) you’ve attempted and you’ll be entered to win the eBook.
I’ll be selecting one winner on Monday, Dec 8th, by the end of business day. Good luck!
Stockinette stitch…I can do most any technique but after a few rows, keeping my balance between the knit and purl rows of stockinette gets lost. So far my best solution is to pick the knit rows and throw the purl rows.
Brioche seems to be my personal knitting nemesis!
Would love to win this book!
Perhaps intarsia has been most challenging…
I have knit SO many things thru the years, but socks are not one of them. Don’t know why. Finally knit my first pair after 50 years of knitting. I think it’s past time to conquer another facet.
I want to get that toe up two at a time thing going.
I can’t think off hand what the most challenging technique I’ve use but I do remember my first lesson sock from Charlotte Schurch’s book. When I finished it and looked at it I was so amazed that I actually made something that looked like a sock. I left it out on the table for a while and would be amazed every time I walked by. I’ve made lots of socks since then and though I don’t leave them out to be admired I still smile every time I put a handmade sock on.
p3togtbl…. on a bus. With no elbow-room. On a sock.
I have no idea why the pattern wanted me to p3 together through the back of the loops…
I find the wrap & turn heels & toes to be nice but still pretty challenging.
The most challenging part of a sock for me is starting at the toe. I’ve tried a variety of cast ons, even a class with Cat Bordhi and I’m not comfortable with starting at the toe. I would like to learn it though because I love trying them on as I go.
I think the 2 color cable socks were my most difficult. Thanks for the chance.
Hardest thing about sock knitting is knitting them long enough. I always wear through the toes of the socks because they are too short.
I would love to win such an interesting and informative looking book.
Socks are the best! Can be easy, difficult, plain or decorative. They are a blank palette. Best of all, so useful. I have this book on my holiday wish list!
I’ve had a few attempts at doing an afterthought heel and never been happy with how it looks.
Also, I find colourwork would be my biggest challenge.
I’ve seen a lot of good reports on this book and would love to enter the draw to win a copy.
I follow Lara on IG which is how I found my way to your blog.
Socks ARE my go to project when traveling.
Turning heels was the most challenging part of sock knitting for me. 5 years after learning, I still need to carefully follow a pattern to make them come out right.
Most challenging technique to date is fair isle on the purl side the philosopher sweater way. I’d love this book to learn some new sock techniques because as it stands I don’t knit a lot of socks because I only know the heel flap method.
My first colorwork project was using intarsia. In a hat. In the round.
So many bobbins *shudders*
Probably fairisle, but I never shy away from a challenge in my knitting 🙂
The Knit Nerd in me wants to ‘own’ the information in this book. It’s like reading cookbooks. You may NEVER use the knowledge, but it feeds your brain. Besides, this would make my feet happy, too!
I’d love to read this book!
I am a newer sock knitter but and addict already! On my list of things to learn is toe up, TAAT, various heels. Right now my biggest challenge is fit and having the second sock come out the same size as the first! This book has been on my wish list since I heard of it’s release…fingers crossed! Thanks for a fun giveaway!!!
I thing the toughest technique was on the travelling vine pattern where part of the stitch sequence is a purl several stitches together through the back loop–I would always turn the work over to work on the back side…it never became part of a natural rhythm.
This looks like a really good book. I am currently working on my first pair of socks and so far, without incident (fingers crossed). I just completed Stephen West’s MKAL Exploration Station Shawl and he had us doing short rows, I-cord edging and brioche. All of which were new to me. He provided good clear instructions and videos so I was able to complete without any problems. I would say the hardest technique I have encountered is beading. I am currently doing a Wild Prairie Knits MKAL Aglow shawl with beads and cables. It is slow going! Thanks for the opportunity to win this book!!!
I still sort of struggle with Judy’s magic cast on for toe up socks. But I LOVE toe up socks because of how my foot is shaped.
I always used Judy’s magic cast on for toe up socks until I discovered the Turkish cast on (using 2 circulars). I’ve not tried doing two at a time the magic loop way, as I did not have a 40″ circular, but I just ordered one so will
bet challenging myself soon!!!
A few years ago I tried brioche. I failed miserably and haven’t tried again since. But I do plan to give it another shot.
Most challenging thing for me is the second sock 🙂
Once I got the hang of knitting again, I’ve been knitting right along. I haven’t tried cables or multi colors, and I failed at an attempt at entrelac, so I guess I have some of the hard stuff ahead of me. I like two toe-up socks, and like making up the pattern as I go along, and would like to learn more heels!
The most challenging thing for me is to find the perfect heel to fit my big feet and big ankles that swell. I have tried several variations of the short row heel, the heel flap, Cat Bordhi Sweet tomato, Fish Lips Kiss heel, and afterthought. The one that I have the most success with at the moment is the FLKH. I like to try different and interesting patterns, but with anything but lace patterns and plain stockinette that has a lot of stretch, I have to worry that the socks won’t pull on over my heels/ankles. I almost always knit toe up. This book sounds like it would help me solve this problem.
…LOVE sock knitting! I’m always eager to learn new styles and techniques!
On my first pair of socks I probably attempted the first heel 8 times. Could not get even stitches on each side. After a about dozen or so pairs and multiple types, I’ve got it down! I think…. knock on wood…
The most challenging technique I’ve tried in a sock would be fair isle.
I love the photos from Sock Architecture, makes it look like sock knitting is very do-able!
Grafting the toes is the one that I can’t remember and always have to read in my reference book.
I like to knit socks, but not ALL the time. LOL Some sport-weight socks are next after my holiday projects are complete (hopefully before July!).
My challenge in sock knitting is to do the heel in a new technique that I haven’t done before or, to knit from the top down. I use old methods and don’t tackle new ones.
Haven’t started my first pair of socks yet but the most challenging knitting I’ve done was trying to teach myself an argyle pattern in cheap acrylic yarn by reading a library book (at about age 14). One repeat and I was done. 🙂
I really want to be able to do colorwork by knitting continental with my one yarn and throwing with the other yarn. I am just learning and feel very awkward…but I am determined.
Thanks for a chance to feed my sock knitting addiction.
Socks and Lara Neel two of my favorite things. Been knitting a long time and not much left to challenge me, but something other than plain vanilla socks do intimidate me. Thus the desire for Lara’s helpful looking book.
Stranded! That was a painful learning curve….
i am a happy sock knitter that loves to learn new sock techniques. Would love this book!
The most challenging part of a sock for me if fit. Long narrow feet. Low arch. Sturdy calf that is not the same size around as my foot. I’m still searching for my basic “go-to” pattern. Andi Smith’s book was very helpful and this one looks like something I should have, so I hope Santa is listening in case I don’t win. Thanks for the chance to enter!
Two color knitting on socks was my toughest project. The pattern called for an after thought heel so I looked it up and found out that you just knit a half row of waste yarn and then keep on knitting. So I did that and completed two tube socks each with a half row of waste yarn. I consulted with the LYS where I had bought the pattern and supplies about finishing off the heels. Oh my, was I disappointed to find out I had to do a solid color row of the sock yarn prior to the waste yarn! So I ripped out the foot (including toes) on both socks and followed the new directions. I did finish the socks but somehow I have never knit any of the other patterns from that book.
I think the most challenging thing I tried to knit was a stranded colourwork mitten using three colours at the same time. Tension was an issue… 😀
Well, I might be too late, but this book sounds great! My most challenging technique so far is stranded. I’ve yet to master it, but I will!
Thanks for the opportunity to win a great book!
I’d love to win this eBook – and no shipping costs to Germany would be even more lucky :)!
That wheel is amazing! What a great prize.
Dang auto-correct! I was admiring the amazing heel.
I love knitting socks…all kinds of socks with all kinds of different techniques! They are the perfect project to throw in your purse to have with you anytime you have downtime.
heels. I have a terrible time with heels due to a high instep.
Hope I’m not too late!
My personal challenge was STEEKING! It still scares me to do (I’ve got a sweater staring at me right now that needs the steek cut!)
HA! Just missed it! 😀
I hope I’m in time! I think the most challenging project I’ve knit were self-designed, cabled mittens for my sister. In lace-weight cashmere (doubled, but still really thin!) Took me five years to get them right, but I was very very happy with them, and I learned a lot!