Customer Rating:      Summary: A good idea, but WAY too many errors to be published! Comment: I learned how to knit socks with this book. The instructions were exceedingly easy to follow. That is why I gave the book the second star. HOWEVER, there are so many errors in this book, it should be republished, or at the very least, there should be errata published somewhere. A reviewer who gave the book 1 star pointed out that in the basic instructions, the book says "sock 1" instead of "sock 2" I also ripped my work out, thinking I had done something wrong. Once I realized the error, it was very easy. The pictures are clear. But it is a very real error and ought to be corrected. In almost every pattern, there are errors. Errors such as telling you to knit 15 across and then saying that you have 12 stitches remaining. Errors on almost every single heel turn.
Also, I actually have since switched to DPN's (double pointed needles) because I prefer that. I do not like the moving of all of the stitches across the needle wires every two minutes, I can't get into a knitting groove like that. If you want to knit two at a time and not have to keep scooching the stitches, use DPN's and just get a second set. That is actually cheaper than buying two circular needles.
Customer Rating:      Summary: Wonderful! Comment: I just knit my first pair of socks - ever! I had never even attempted to make socks before and just dove right in using this book for a guide. The pictures were great and the instructions were very helpful - the author includes boxes with tips throughout the instructions - it seemed she was always addressing the very question I had in mind at that very moment.
This was a great way to learn to knit socks - working on two at a time let me use stitches and concepts that were brand new to me 2x in a row (which I like to think really reinforced it for me!) and gave me instant satisfaction - when I was done I popped them on my feet without having to start all over to make a second one!
Customer Rating:      Summary: Just not for me Comment: This just isn't the sock book for me. I think I will remain a one at a time sock knitter. HOWEVER, the illustrations on how to do the grafting/Kitchner stitch were well worth its purchase, and the sock patterns can be done one at a time. I really like the variety of the
socks that are presented, and the stitch patters. But I do think it
will take just about as long to knit my socks one at a time, as it will
to keep track of the extra long needles.
But this is just me.
Happliy knitting my socks the traditional way.
Customer Rating:      Summary: Great Manual Comment: This book is a great way to start knitting socks on two circular needles. I had never knitted socks before & though I'd knit other things on dpns I wanted to knit my first pair of socks two at a time. The book was great. Answered most of my questions & I knit my first pair with the book alone & no guidance from the local knitting shop (which is also fun, but if you're going to write a book it might as well be thorough enough in and of itself without having to go ask for help.) Her explanations are very detailed & clear. What I love about this book is that she gives measurements for every sock size, man, woman & child, so to convert any pattern for whoever you'd like to knit it for. She also tells you how to convert any pattern for dpns to the two at a time cirular needles method. I only gave it 4 stars because the variety in pattern has more to do with yarn varience than pattern, though enough to get you started & give you ideas. She does have one cabled pattern, and a few lace variations. And though she was exceptionally clear in her directions there was an instance where she assumed you would already know the technique & didn't describe how to do it anywhere in the book. Actually this only happened once for me when it came time to pick up stitches. I had never learned this correctly & when the pattern said to pick up 11 stitches, I had no idea how to do it & couldn't find a description anywhere in the book. Luckily I had also bought Ann Budd's Getting Started Knitting Socks book at the same time to refer to, which included the directions for the various ways to accomplish picking up stitches. Her descriptions for other techniques, like the proper way to ssk, etc, were far superior to other books/magazines that I've read & I actually corrected a few of my stitches, which I had previously been doing wrong. Overall, I would highly recommend this book.
Customer Rating:      Summary: Clear Comment: Simply put:
It's clear, got fabulous instructions, and wonderful pictures to guide a beginner to knitting socks... and 2 at a time!
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