Knit 2 Socks in 1 by Safiyyah Talley
| Knit 2 Socks in 1 by Safiyyah Talley | |
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| Category: Crafts | |
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Reviewer: Sue Magee
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| Summary: A new way of knitting socks that isn't as complex as you might think when you read the book. Great fun and some lovely designs. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 160 | Date: March 2022 |
| Publisher: Storey Publishing | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-1635864076 | |
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If you've ever started knitting a pair of socks, finished the first one and either got bored by the idea of doing the same thing all over again, or started on the second sock and lost the first before you finished it, this is the book for you. Where is it that single socks go to hide? Safiyyah Talley has developed a system that allows you to knit two socks in one, divide them up and have a perfectly finished pair of socks. Sounds good? It's clever and well-thought-out.
I'd better deliver my disclaimer before I go any further. It's well over sixty years since I knit my first pair of socks and I've knit hundreds of pairs. I know the patterns off by heart and I suspect that I could knit them blindfolded if it wasn't for the fact that I like to read whilst I'm knitting. There are some people who knit to make something and others who knit because they must knit. I'm in the latter group. If you're in the first group, this book will be more relevant to you than it is to me. It's still a good read though.
We're taken step by step through the process of making socks. You'll understand why some yarns are better for certain purposes than others and why. I liked the way that this was explained. Talley has a way with words: when she described cotton's slouch after it's been worn a few times, I knew exactly what she meant. She's very clear too on yarn weights although the terms will be more familiar to readers in the US. In the UK you're probably going to be doing quite a bit of googling to ensure that you get your tension correct.
No point is too small for Talley's attention. I use double pointed straight needles but some alternatives might suit you better. Throughout the book she's supportive and you'll feel that you're in safe hands as you work your way through swatches, sock anatomy and laundering. The ability to knit two socks in one depends on 'lifelines'. You'll need to pay attention to this but it is less complex than the description would lead you to believe. I could quibble and say that I prefer the shape of heel which you get by using the traditional method but I really am being picky.
Would I use the system? I doubt it as I'm too stuck in my ways to make the change but I wouldn't rule out trying it for fun. Knitters do that sort of thing. My favourite pattern of the seven you get, each with three variations, is the Royal Coronation baby booties. Now that I think about it, I have some cotton yarn which would be perfect...
I'd like to thank the publishers for letting Bookbag have a review copy.
If you'd like to extend your expertise to mittens we can recommend The Mitten Handbook: Knitting Recipes to Make Your Own by Mary Scott Huff. If you're looking for more sock patterns, try Cozy Knits: 30 Hat, Mitten, Scarf and Sock Projects from Around the World by Sue Flanders.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Knit 2 Socks in 1 by Safiyyah Talley at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy Knit 2 Socks in 1 by Safiyyah Talley at Amazon.com.
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