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| Evelyn A. Clark's Rose Ribs Socks, from Sock Knitting Master Class |
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| Anna Zilboorg's Half-Stranded Socks from Sock Knitting Master Class |
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I'm so excited about a new knitting book that's coming out soon! It's called
Sock Knitting Master Class by Ann Budd, and it's going to be an instant classic.
It has contributions from the
crème la de crème of
sock knitters and designers who explain how they went about designing their
socks, giving readers a glimpse into a variety of design processes. In
addition, yarn expert Clara Parkes contributes a short explanation of each yarn used and
how it contributes to the overall design.
Author Ann Budd is excited about her book, too! Here she is to tell you more.
"For years now, I've worn only handknitted socks because
they look and feel so good. Although I often fall back on a basic pattern when
knitting socks for myself, the number of innovative and exciting designs continues
to astonish and inspire me, which is how this book came to be.
For
Sock Knitting Master Class,
I asked fifteen renowned sock knitters and
experts to contribute their designs and sock-knitting knowledge. In addition to
the spectacular patterns, you'll learn a variety of design approaches and
techniques that will provide the foundation for creating beautiful socks of
your own. While some designers begin by choosing a skein of yarn for its color,
fiber content, or structure, then design a sock that makes the most of those properties,
others begin with an idea for a particular stitch or color pattern. Still
others sketch and doodle until something speaks to them, then they find the appropriate
yarn and work out "filler" stitches as necessary to translate their ideas into
wearable socks.
However they begin, the most successful sock designs follow the Bauhaus
principle that form follows function. In socks, this means that each part—cuff,
leg, heel, instep, sole, and toe—has a pleasing design that accomplishes the
necessary function. The true art in designing comes from the integration of the
different parts into an overall plan that is greater than the sum of its
individual parts. For many designers, this integration is the result of trial
and error—excellent design usually requires some amount of ripping out and
making adjustments."
Check out this preview video!
Knitting Springtime!
One of my favorite sock designers is Cat Bordhi. Over the years she's truly innovated sock knitting and sign, and Ann asked her to contribute a sock design to Sock Knitting Master Class. Cat's design is truly beautiful in it's simplicity. Cat shares her design process below.
"My inspiration usually comes from nature and,
like nature, a design arises organically, revealing its unique expression
moment by moment. Where I live, spring is announced by the emergence of pussy
willows on formerly bare branches. For this design, I wanted to transform the
charming catkins—sleek little furry shapes marching up smooth branches—into a
pair of delicate socks.
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| Cat Bordhi's Pussy Willow Socks, from Sock Knitting Master Class |
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I began with a toe capped by a horizontal band to form a smooth and comfortable
covering, similar to the shape of a catkin. Once the lower foot was complete, I
began to expand the instep by working a diagonal branch with yarnovers
(increasing 3 stitches every 5 rounds) to represent young catkins. Based on the
basic formula in New Pathways for Sock
Knitters, I knew these increases could be placed anywhere
on the instep.
I worked the heel in a fortified heel stitch, twisting the elongated,
vulnerable slipped stitches to shorten them and tighten the yarn's plies. At
the ankle, the pussy willow stem continues vertically for a while, then begins to
lean outward as the catkins reach maturity, with each yarnover hole crowned
with a bouffant catkin.
I finished the cuff with a simple rolled edge, preserving the serene stockinette
background and letting the pussy willow branch hold center stage."
Isn't she fantastic?
And so is Sock Knitting Master Class. Pre-order your copy today so you can start your own private master class in sock knitting as soon as the book comes out!
Cheers,
