Good Books for Newer Sock Knitters

I have reviewed so many sock knitting books through the years that I could tell you about a different one each day of the month and never repeat myself. (It's true; I actually did that last October and I've added a few reviews since then!)

Socks a la Carte by Jonelle Raffino and Katherine Cade. North Light Books.

Instead of bombarding you with info on every book under the sun, though, I thought I would highlight some of my favorites. Today we're taking a look at some of the best books for newer sock knitters.

Getting Started Knitting Socks by Ann Budd is a good basic reference that includes 22 patterns for socks in different gauges -- 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 stitches per inch -- and sizes ranging from a medium-sized child to a large adult. There are times I feel like this book is a little too basic, but it's a great one to start with.

Laura Chau's Teach Yourself Visually Sock Knitting is a wonderful choice for knitters who like to see a lot of pictures and step-by-step instructions for what they're learning. It offers basic and beyond patterns and has a ton of techniques including using circulars, DPNs and the magic loop, cuff-down and toe-up projects and a variety of heels and toes.

If you really need to see what you're doing in order to learn, the Zen of Socks DVD is a good choice. It takes you through all the motions of knitting a simple Stockinette sock and will leave you with a lot of confidence to try more complex projects.

Knit Socks! by Betsy Lee McCarthy is another good book with basic patterns for classic styles you'll want to knit. These 17 patterns don't go far beyond the ordinary, but the book will offer knitters a good grounding in the basics.

Finally, for knitters who want to go their own way from the beginning, I recommend Socks a la Carte by Jonelle Raffino and Katherine Cade. This fun book has 17 options for cuffs, 20 for bodies and 18 combinations of heels and toes that you can put together to make just the socks you want even if you're a newer sock knitter.

Do you have a favorite sock book? I'd love to hear about it!

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