Socks from the Toe Up

Posted by Aimee on April 1, 2009

Blogger and sock knitter extraordinaire Wendy Johnson has a new book coming out – and this one is all about socks from – what else – the toe up!

Wendy and Potter Craft have done a beautiful job with this book. The photography is beautiful. The line drawings in the instructions are clear and well drawn making the instructions easy to follow along with both the written and illustrations. The photographer, Alexandra Grabiewski, did a great job of showing off the socks Wendy created while still having interesting page content. The photos are beautifully composed. And the book is laid out in a clean crisp manner, with lots and lots of pictures showing each sock in several views.

But enough about the photography and drawings, you want to know about the contents, right??

This book has everything you need to knit socks from the toe-up even if you have never knit a sock! From what you need (tools, yarns) to multiple techniques for toes and heels, this book has it. And the techniques are all shown in plain white yarn so you can really see what Wendy is showing you in multiple angles.

In addition to the quite extensive “Essentials” Section, there are the patterns. Three basic sock patterns, 12 lace socks, 3 textured gansey socks, 2 cable socks, and even 3 sport weight sock patterns. Now, I know I have a degree in journalism so math isn’t my forte, but that equals 23 sock patterns in one book. AND a techniques section that I found well thought out, well written and learned something new from even though I have knit many of Wendy’s other patterns – and lots of other socks! At a cover price of $22.95, that is less than a dollar a pattern plus techniques. In today’s economy, I think that letting you know all you are getting for your hard earned money is important – and this book definitely gives you value, and beauty, for your dollar.

I have the pleasure of knowing several of Wendy’s test knitters, so I know that every pattern in this book was knit by a real person who didn’t “make it work” from the pattern – in other words – if there was a problem with a pattern, they said something and Wendy tweaked the patterns. I haven’t personally gone through every pattern, so I can’t guarantee you there are no errors, it happens, but I know the test knitters, and they aren’t a shy bunch!

I will admit that I might be biased since I am lucky enough to consider Wendy a good friend, and I did get an early copy of the book from her. Many of you may know that I recently started to help her plan her events, let me assure you that this book IS fantastic. If I didn’t think so, I wouldn’t be working so hard with her to get her to your shops, guilds and retreats to sign and teach her classes – I was lucky enough to take a class from her last spring at The Loopy Ewe Spring Fling – where she announced the publication of the book – and let me tell you that if you have a chance to take a Wendy class or go to a signing – take it! She is fun, funny and totally laid back – I met her last April for the first time and in that year have forged quite a friendship with her! I was so thrilled to have this book in my hands Saturday night – and I had some knitting pals over for the evening and showed it to them – they are all panting to get their hands on the book as soon as it comes out! I think Jean Marie may have tried to steal my copy, but Eva provided security for me!

Now – I have to go wind some yarn and cast on a sock to take with me to CA this week! I will make sure to blog it when it is finished and let you know how it goes!

Socks from the Toe Up – Wendy D. Johnson
Release Date: April 14th
Cover Price: $22.95