Friday, August 30, 2013

REVIEW: Knit Your Socks on Straight

Knit Your Socks on Straight

A New and Inventive Technique with Just Two Needles

by Alice Curtis
Spiral-bound: 144 Pages
Publisher:  Storey Publishing, LLC (June 18, 2013)


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Most sock knitters have a go-to method to their madness that they swear by.  Maybe it's a trusty set of DPNs?  Perhaps two circular needles?  Or maybe, there's just nothing that gets between you and your magic loop?  Well, what about the straight lovers?  I bet we all know someone who has sworn off socks completely, either because they hate DPNs or they think it "looks complicated."  Am I right? 

Enter the book for those loyal to their straights and the new knitters who aren't quite comfortable knitting in the round just yet... Knit Your Socks on Straight: A New and Inventive Technique with Just Two Needles

Author Alice Curtis was teaching beginning knitters who expressed an interest in making socks, but weren't quite ready to knit in the round.  Realizing that her students were not alone and there were many knitters who preferred two straight needles, Alice took it upon herself to design her own sock patterns.  Sure, there were some patterns out there already for socks knit on two straights, but we all know they were unattractive - not to mention uncomfortable with bulky seams going down the back of the leg, heel and under the foot.  Nobody wants uncomfortable, ugly socks!  Alice's groundbreaking technique features a seam carefully integrated into the design of each sock.  The secret lies in knitting beautiful edges that are later connected with a crochet hook.

Knit Your Socks on Straight features step-by-step written and visual instructions.  A genius spiral-bound format makes the book especially easy to follow along with while you're knitting - you don't have to find heavy things to prop the book open, which I truly appreciate!  The photography throughout the book is gorgeous and clearly captures the techniques.  Feet never looked so pretty as they do in handknit socks!

Now that you know the technique, let's talk patterns!  There are 20 flat-knit sock patterns in all, ranging from beginner to advanced knitter skill level and including such techniques as cables, lace and argyle.  There's a sock for everyone in the family too - baby, toddler, child, woman and man.  One of the things I love most is the patterns cover a variety of yarn weights.  After all, sometimes we just really want a pair of bulky house socks that we can knit up fast, don't we? 

While I have not yet cast on socks on two straights, I definitely plan to do so later this fall/winter.  A mountain of UFO's (including several pairs of socks on DPNs, my go-to method of madness) have got me quite busy at the moment and I just can't justify casting on another item until one some of these projects are complete.  With that said, some of the patterns calling my name are:
  • Green Leaves of Summer - this basic fingering weight sock is sized for both children and adults... and I feel it would be a great starter for learning the method
  • Livin' in Blue Jeans - not only does the name fit, but hopefully the socks will too... these DK weight socks feature a picked-up cuff and button down "fly"
  • Moccasocks - these house boots, knit in chunky and worsted weight yarn, are designed to fit over leggings to keep your feet cozy in the winter... and yes, they look like moccasins!
  • Vroom-Vroom - the cutest little racing stripe socks with a checkered flag heel... Matt's lucky this pattern is written in children's sizes only (and now to find a child...)
  • Maple Seed Whirlies - I can't resist the cute name or pattern!  The small allover pattern looks like tiny maple seeds...

If you're a beginner knitter who isn't into knitting in the round yet, or if you simply just prefer your needles straight, check out Knit Your Socks on Straight today!  The book is lovely, the patterns even lovelier... and the book would make a great holiday gift for the knitters on your list too!

About the Author: Alice Curtis teaches classes and develops patterns from her design studio, the Pincushion Patch, in Herkimer, NY.  She created these special-technique sock patterns for knitting on two straight needles in response to student demand.  You can find more about Alice and her patterns on Ravelry

Disclaimer: Storey Publishing, LLC sent a complimentary copy of Knit Your Socks on Straight to Lapdog Creations for review purposes. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions expressed in the review are my own.

3 comments:

SissySees said...

Interesting. I've tried just about every other sock technique out there... Hmmm...

Jo's World said...

As a dyed in the wool knitter in the round, I can't imagine switching to straights (I use 2 circs) but if someone needs that method, go to it! The more knitters the better.

Cheers,

Jo

WonderWhyGal said...

That is a great book. I meet so many people who are loyal to their straights. Once I went circ, I never went back. I don't even like fiddling with DPN. Yikes!

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