Sock Architecture

This is, far and away, my favorite knitting book right now. Lara’s style of writing is something with which I instantly connect, and reading the book feels like I’m sitting in a room, knitting with a friend, and talking about the technicalities and nuances of knitting socks. Her style is conversational enough to be engaging, but underneath that conversational style lies a deep and precise technical exploration of all things sock knitting. Lara touches on the history of knitted socks and dives right into how socks are constructed.

I’m a sock-knitting newbie, with only a handful of completed pairs of socks under my belt and I read this book cover-to-cover — everything was completely accessible to me. I suspect seasoned sock knitters will find a wealth of information as well. This book truly is for any level of sock knitter.

This book really is the perfect sock book. If you want sock patterns, there are 17 wonderful patterns. But Sock Architecture is not simply a pattern book. Yes, there are patterns, but the book also includes thorough discussion on all sorts of techniques — toe-up, cuff-down, heels (afterthought and flaps), toes, etc. Most of the patterns include instructions for both toe-up and cuff-down, which I thought was particularly interesting — it really showed that a sock knitter can work in his or her preferred method of knitting a sock and come out with awesome socks. Everything in this book serves to build the knitter’s confidence.

Where the book particularly shines is in attention to detail. In addition to being full of well-written patterns, the book contains detailed descriptions of all the techniques employed in sock knitting. That’s great, but it’s the photography that sets everything apart. Each sock is expertly photographed from different angles, with close-up photographs of the heel and the toe. I’m sure these pictures will prove to be invaluable as I experiment with new-to-me heel and toe techniques. Lara also includes excellent photography in the technique section, where she thoroughly explains every heel and toe used in the book. In addition to excellent photography of all the parts of a sock in which a knitter is interested, Lara makes another excellent choice for her sock photographs: they are all photographs of solid colored socks. There are so many beautiful striped and variegated yarns out there, and most of these socks would look great with fancy yarn. But if they were photographed with fancy yarn for the book, it would have really taken away from the design of the sock itself, and the ability to concentrate on the details of the techniques employed. Keeping the photographs simple was an excellent decision, and I’m very happy that it was done that way.

For the adventurous sock knitter, going beyond the patterns in the book is the obvious next step. There’s a reason this book is called Sock Architecture — Lara’s thorough treatment of the architecture behind making a sock is enough to make a knitter confident in designing his or her own socks. Mix and match heels and toes based on what your personal preference is. Make the leg and foot as fancy or as plain as you like. The possibilities are endless.

Lara’s instructions for the various options for heels and toes make so much sense to follow that I’m already confident in trying any of them. One of the coolest things about the patterns in this book is that almost all of them are appropriate for men’s socks as well as women’s socks, which is particularly refreshing. Most of the cool sock designs I’ve seen elsewhere really have a feminine touch to them, and I wouldn’t be interested in knitting them for myself or for my dad. Not the case with the patterns in Sock Architecture! Of course, any of the patterns would look great as a women’s sock, too.

My only complaint with this book is with the binding. This book would be much better served with a spiral binding so that it could lay flat on any page. Since that issue can be corrected with a trip to the local copy shop and having them cut the binding off and re-bind it with a coil, that’s not a huge deal. I haven’t made it to the copy shop for the rebinding yet, but it’s on my list of things to do.

All in all, without hesitation, I heartily recommend this book to any knitter who knits — or wants to knit — socks.

Love love love this!!!!! I was always jealous of those individuals who could wear an afterthought heel. They just never seemed to fit me properly. Lara brought to my attention the "thumb-joint afterthought heel" and EUREKA, finally an afterthought heel that fits!!! She really knows her stuff when it comes to the architecture and fitting of a sock. This book is well worth the purchase=)

On its face, Sock Architecture is an extraordinarily well-written, comprehensive guide to the techniques for handknitting socks, with an unprecedented emphasis on achieving perfect fit regardless of size or foot shape. On that basis alone, Lara Neel's book warrants five stars and a place in every serious knitter's library. But this book is more than that. Every once in awhile, perhaps once or twice in a decade, an author comes along who brings such profound insight and brilliant skill to a knitting subject that the book is immediately a classic--a work that belongs on every serious knitter's shelf, close at hand. Sock Architecture is one of those. I believe this is the most useful book ever published about knitting socks. It's certainly my candidate for the best knitting book of the year. Buy a copy. And one for your best knitting friend. It will make you a better knitter and happier in your craft.

I purchased this book in hopes to make wonderfully pretty socks for my very big feet. I started reading and just could not put this book down. It's very well written and totally understandable. Who knew reading a knitting book would be this exciting? I'm new back to knitting after a 50-year absence and this book has given me the tools to successfully knit socks that actually fit. I can't recommend this book highly enough. Thank you Lara Neel!

I bought this for myself using Christmas gift card funds. It has been on my wish list for a while--I put it there after hearing rave reviews from some of my favorite podcasters. I just finished my first pair of socks from one of the patterns and have not been disappointed. The directions were clear and I found a lot of helpful information in the book regarding sizing and fitting. This is so important with socks because there is nothing better than a handmade sock that fits well. I really like that the book has instructions for multiple heel and toe designs and that it describes both toe up and top down construction. This is something I have not found with other sock books.

This is an excellent book for anyone interested in sock knitting! I just picked up sock knitting recently, and got this book based on great reviews. This is great for a beginner like myself. I love that she writes the patterns so they are useable for any method of knitting. I am a cuff-down magic looper, and it's great to know I can take any of her techniques and use them on magic loop. She also makes simple mathematical equations so you can take you foot measurements, a calculator and get a custom fit. It's a really simple, easy to read book with tons of accessible information. This is one of the best knitting books I have ever picked up.

This is such a fantastic book, I don't know where to start! There are so many options in here for customizing your socks, it's unbelievable. Even if you are an experienced sock knitter, you will learn so much from this book. And if you are a beginner sock knitter, this will become like a bible for you. I highly recommend it!

I found the instructions difficult to follow, and nothing really unique.

Towards the back of the book it mentions a gap when the stitches split for the instep and heel flap. The solution was to add two additional stitches and later delete them, which is SO unnecessary. A far superior solution is to cross the stitches. If you mentally number your stitches 1, 2, and 3 for the instep and 4, 5, and 6 for the heel flap. Cross 3 and 4 so it becomes 1, 2, and 4 for the instep and 3, 5, and 6 for the heel flap. Your stitches will be snug, there will be no hole and you don't have to add and then delete stitches. I also found the photos that accompanied these instructions too small to really see what was being done.

I would have liked to give this a higher review, but it is what it is.

Oh how I love this book. Socks have always felt like a mystery to me, but no more. I never understood the names of the sock parts. What were gussets? What was a heel turn? After easily devouring this book, cover to cover, I understand. Lara provides you with not only a top-down AND toe-up pattern for EACH one of her sock patterns, but a formula for each one of her heels and toes. This way, you are able to mix and match each element with whatever cast-on number you choose. Round heels, Half Handkerchief heels, Star toes, and so much more; they are all here. I purchased the Craftsy class to go along with this so I had a visual too. This book is a pure treasure, filled with valuable information in a well organized, easily understandable manner. It's a must-have for sock knitters. Thank you Ms Neel!

I have knit socks on & off for years. Never really getting the bug to be a "sock knitter" Then I used Lara's Fork in the Road socks pattern. I was convinced I needed her book, it is so helpful and full of wonderful information! Do yourself a favor if you are a sock knitter or want to be one & buy this book!!!