Rows Red

Title: The Joy of Sox
List Price: $22.95
Amazon Price: $15.61
Binding: Hardcover, spiralbound, 176 pages
Publisher: Lark Books (October 6, 2009)
Variety: Focused
Sizing: Specialty
Value Ratio: Inexpensive
Stamina: High
Clarity: High

The Joy of Sox

It’s been quite a while since a sock book has come out where I say to myself, “I like that, and that, and that, and that…” The Joy of Sox by Linda Kopp, released earlier this month, was a very pleasant addition to such good company as Knitting Socks with Hand Painted Yarn and Sensational Knitted Socks.

Last of the Red Hot Lovers

Whenever I take a drive to one of our “metro” areas I try and stop in a Barnes & Noble so I can power preview through a stack of knitting and crochet books. I didn’t have high hopes for Joy of Sox, not given the pair they chose to showcase on the cover, but once I opened it I slowed down to carefully consider every single pattern. That’s how good it is.

Roll in the Hay (Picture could be better, check Ravelry for better closeups.)

I’ll start with the elephant in the room. Yes, the book is a kitchsy poke at The Joy of Sex. The names of the socks are tastefully romance or lust themed, and there are sometimes cheesy blurbs and survey answers that mix sock knitting or yarn and sock knitter’s often noted passion for the pastime. The cutesy-ness of the premise is laid on a little thick for my taste, but I found it easily ignored after a few minutes. Other readers may love the fun premise, so I don’t hold it against the book. Peppered through out the book are several truly interesting short essays and tutorials by the designers who contributed patterns.

Afternoon Delight

The Joy of Sox does have a fairly substantial how-to section at the beginning of the book, and it’s well done as a basic tutorial. However, I would have liked to see more than just the DPN method of knitting socks explored. The patterns in the book are written for women only, no men’s or (obviously) children’s socks here. As someone who knits socks only rarely for either of those groups, I’m very pleased with this fact, more socks for me to choose from! The styles represented trend very strongly towards highly patterned socks that are more challenging to knit; color-work, lace, and cabled patterns abound. There are no basic rib or beginner socks here. There are only a few patterns in the book that don’t tempt me; mostly the two toe-less socks, and a couple of the more fussy color-work offerings. For a book with over 30 patterns, that’s quite an accomplishment.

From Russia with Love

Linda Kopp really drew the cream of the crop when she chose her designers, and they pulled out all the stops. Page after page I see socks that are exquisitely detailed, and I linger over the photos of their details every time I open the book. Standouts were chosen for the photo content of this review. A note to those who are heading over to Ravelry to look at the patterns, almost a third of them aren’t loaded into the pattern section at this time.

Golden Dahlia

From a production standpoint, there’s a lot to love in this book. It’s hardover, which means it’s sturdy, and I don’t have to worry about creased covers. Even better, however, is what’s between the covers. Oh, sweet joy, it’s spiral bound! That paragon of craft book publishing virtue… the easily photocopied*, propped open, laying-flat-in-all-it’s-glory pattern book! It’s a beautiful thing. The photography is clear, not overwhelmingly artsy, and each sock is shown from several angles, something I know we all appreciate. How else would you know that the “Hot Waves” sock has such a very cool heel? The patterns are clearly written** and very well charted.

Boyfriend Socks

As many of you know, I can be pretty cheap sometimes. The Joy of Sox appeals to me also as an incredible value. There are 32 patterns in the book, so, at the Amazon price of just under $16, that’s less than .50cents a pattern. Fifty cents! You can’t beat that with a stick. If you like what you’ve seen here, I hope you’ll support the book*** by picking up a copy or adding it your wish list.

* For my own personal use as a carry around working copy.
** As always with a new book, rest assured there will be some errata discovered by the time you start knitting your first sock from the book. Do a search online first and save yourself trouble down the line.
*** I am not affiliated with the publisher, author, or any of the designers, and paid for my own copy of the book.

Tags: Reviews - Books

Title: Knitting Goes Large
List Price: $24.95
Amazon Price: $16.47
Binding: Softcover, 128 pages
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin (December 23, 2008)
Variety: Focused +
Sizing: Specialty
Value Ratio: Inexpensive
Stamina: High
Clarity: High

Every once in a while there comes a book that just gets it right. When you wear plus sizes, those once in a whiles can seem really few and far between. For buxom knitters looking to explore classic, elegant styles that still capture the eye, Knitting Goes Large is a breath of fresh air. Written by Sharon Brant with patterns by Jennie Atkinson, Wendy Baker, Kim Hargreaves and Martin Storey, the book is like a trip to Europe for your needles. Or at least what I’d imagine such a thing to be. Published by St. Martin’s Press for Rowan, is it any wonder Europe was the first thing that popped into my head?

Knitting Goes Large

The tone of the book is most likely to appeal to those who aren’t quite comfortable with the youthful verve of some other plus-size publications, regardless of fabulous content. Knitting Goes Large has a very good section on fit, which while not as exhaustive as that in Big Girl Knits, is very sound. Sharon presents the reader with sound and useful information on the types of yarn and styles that tend to flatter. There’s no such thing as too much information when it comes to making your knitting fit the real you.

Peplum Sweater

Knitting Goes Large packs a nice punch for your hard earned dollar, out of the 20 patterns, only four are for accessories, one of those being for a wrap and another is a gorgeous stole. Since accessories can technically fit most anyone, I was glad to see that they didn’t pad the book with non-garment content. Still, I would have liked to see a plus-sized pair of socks or gloves. The vast majority of the patterns are for sweaters and cardigans, with a couple of warm weather tops to round it out.

Camisole

There’s a lot to love in Knitting Goes Large. The photography is clear, with multiple shots of each project from different angles. Standout patterns include the Cabled Tunic, Lace Tunic, Textured Top, Scarf & Stole, Peplum Jacket and the Camisole. The Scarf and Stole is absolutely lovely, and simple enough that even a modestly hand-painted yarn could shine. The Peplum Jacket has stolen my heart, and so has the Lace Tunic. That’s not to say that there aren’t more in there I’d be happy to wear any day, but those are the ones that scream “favorite me on Ravelry!” Unfortunately, at the time I’m writing this review, the book isn’t in the library feature, yet.

Looking to try beaded knitting?

The patterns are realistic and flattering, the kinds of patterns (on the whole) that you can look back on five years from now and still see yourself wanting to wear, timeless with more than a hint of class. There are a few that are either too bland or to fussy for my taste, but most of the patterns in the book should appeal to a wide audience, especially in the mature taste/non-faddish crowd.

Cabled Hoodie

Sizing is where this book really shines, to be honest. Sure it’s got a beautiful layout with a moody, photo-journal look, but the sizing thrills me. When you glance at a pattern the first thing you see are clearly stated bust sizes and finished bust sizes. No guessing as to whether they mean before or after, ease or no ease. Everything is clearly labeled and goes to a before-bust size of 48″, finished bust sizes go to 54″. That covers someone my size and a little bit of then some. My heart goes pitter-patter!

Cabled Hoodie sizing, generously eased garment.

With a starting range American size 16, don’t discount the book if you’re not on the heavier side of plus size. Give the book a flip through the next time you’re in your local yarn or book store, if you’re on the fluffy side of beautiful you may find this book hits all the right notes.

Caveats:

• The patterns are all written for Rowan yarns, you will have to substitute unless you have a large budget or exceptional sale luck.
• The book is absolutely brand new, errata are sure to come.

Tags: Reviews - Books