Toe-Up Socks for Every Body: Adventurous Lace, Cables, and Colorwork from Wendy Knits [Paperback]

This book just arrived and I was so inspired just by flipping through it that I'm already planning which pattern I want to knit first. The author did an amazing job of including so many attractive patterns. It also lives up to the "every body" part of it's title with a pattern for men and one for a young girl (see cover for these adorable socks). I will caution that this is probably for someone who has some knitting experience. The patterns are wonderfully elaborate, intricate, and absolutely gorgeous. Part I includes info about toe-up socks including fit and tools. It even includes 2 nicely organized pages on how to design your own - which I fully intend to use. Part II are the patterns in 3 sections - Lace, Cable, and Colorwork. This is followed by an appendix with techniques with ample illustrations. Finally, there is a single page "Index" that includes a thumbname picture and page reference of each pair of socks in the book - what a thoughtful and useful addition. I could go on and on about how great this book is but I need to stop writing so I can start knitting!! Thanks to Wendy for my new favorite sock book.

After receiving "Socks from the Toe Up", I had to order her new book. I follow her blog for us and she often adds tips on sock and shawl knitting. It is great to have a book that dedicated to Toe-Up socks again. The one thing you can count on in Wendy's books is a range of socks for the new knitter to experienced knitters.

The author gives a short section on how to start the socks - at the toe! She offers four different cast-ons for the toes and explains the three different techniques: double pointed needles, two circular needles and one long circular needle. The gets you off to a good start.

Wendy provides some beautiful sock patterns, 21 in all. There are seven each in lace, cable, and colorwork. All of the colorwork are called Fair Isle by technique in that there are only two different colors worked in any one row. In each of the categories given there is one in the easy, some in intermediate and some in higher areas of knitting ability.

I have given a brief breakdown in what is in the book. The cable area covers mostly stitches that only reliant on two stitches to be worked. If you are competent in doing cables without the cable needle, this would be a good time to do it since most of the socks use 2 stitches in making the cable. If you are not familiar with cables or are able to handle cables well, both ways are easy to use in this section. I would suggest that you look up the no cable needle needed method because the cables used are simple.

I would like to see one of Wendy's socks incorporate using three colors in any single row. Most of the cable patterns also include lace in them. But she has given you great value in this book. The organization is excellent, the charts are included, and the pictures given tell you what to expect as an outcome. I think all skills in knitting will find this a fun book to have and use.

This book is fabulous! Okay, that might sound like a bit of hyperbole, but if you are a fan of toe-up socks, then you must have this book. Pure and simple. Socks for you, your husband, boyfriend, best friend, your child or someone else's...something for everyone. Anklets, regular socks, kneehighs...and if you fancy something really over the top, try the thigh-high stockings!

The subtitle on the cover says it all: "Adventurous Lace, Cables, and Colorwork" - yup, got that right! The lace patterns are lovely, there are Austrian twisted stitch patterns, and some really beautiful stranded knitting...including argyles, which I've always wanted! One of the things I particularly like is that the photography showcases the socks which are knit in solid or semi-solid colourways, so that the stitch detail is wonderfully visible, unlike some sock pattern books which feature socks in patterned yarns where the design pattern is lost completely.

Are you are a fan of short-row heels, or do you prefer the look and fit of the heel flap style? These heels are in here. There is also a short-row heel with a mini gusset...something I've been curious to try. And while there is a great deal of valuable information and lots of helpful advice, as with her other book, Socks from the Toe Up: Essential Techniques and Patterns from Wendy Knits, this book isn't a rehash of that book. Rather, this is the next step in your toe-up sock knitting process!

The layout of the book is very nice. In Part One, she provides basic information, including tips for designing your own socks. Part Two covers the patterns, which are nicely divided into types of patterns: Lace, Cable and Colorwork. The Appendix covers knitting and finishing Techniques. And finally, the Index includes small photos of each of the completed socks and the pages where they can be found...a very handy and thoughtful addition. Clearly, this woman has put herself in the position of the reader/knitter and knows what we would like in a book.

I've bought, and returned, toe-up books from other designers, but Wendy's are definitely keepers! And if you would like to know Wendy a bit better, then read Wendy Knits: My Never-Ending Adventures in Yarn. Not only is it a hoot, it's also got patterns for socks, sweaters and more!