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Poetry in Yarn is honored to be a stop on Karen Ratto-Whooley blog tour for her new book, I Can’t Believe I’m Crocheting Socks.

Book Review: I Can’t Believe I’m Crocheting Socks

Author: Karen Ratto-Whooley

List Price: $9.95

In my weekly knit and crochet group I often sit and chat with my friends and watch as they knit socks, lots and lots of socks. At one point I decided I wanted to try and crochet a pair. I mean crochet is so much faster (at least for me) and I thought I could pump out a pair of socks in no time. I discovered that the resources available for sock crocheters were nearly nonexistent. Thankfully, that’s changing now with Karen Ratto-Whooley’s newest book, I Can’t Believe I’m Crocheting Socks.

The book contains 9 patterns for crocheted socks. 5 patterns are for cuff-down socks made with a heel flap and gusset. 4 patterns are for toe-up socks made with a short-row heel. If you have no idea what any of those terms mean, don’t fret. It’s all explained on page 3. Two of the patterns (Basic Cuff-Down and Basic Toe-Up socks) have each section of the sock worked in a different color so that you can see exactly what’s going on.

The 9 patterns cover a wide variety of sock styles, from lacy to cable to tube socks. My favorite pattern is the Cobblestone Socks featured on the cover. The Basic sock patterns are sized small enough to fit young children. The rest of the socks are adult sizes. You’ll find that all sizes are given in terms of foot circumference, not shoe size. Although it requires a little measuring, I think it underscores Karen’s desire to allow you to get a custom fit for your sock. If you’re making socks for someone who isn’t nearby for you to measure, check this table to get an idea of what size to make based on shoe size. You may notice on sizing that the book says finished ankle circumference instead of finished foot circumference. All the numbers are still right, so if your foot measures 6 inches around, make the sock that’s says finished size 6 inches, and you’ll be good to go.

It’s nice to have a book out that broadens what we can do with crochet. Karen encourages using sock yarn for finished socks that you can actually wear in shoes, unlike the worsted weight sock patterns out there. Also, I have to say that when I had looked elsewhere for information on how to do a crocheted short-row heel, the little information I did find was confusing. Karen’s instructions for the technique are so clear that it finally makes sense to me.

Thanks to Karen, I have an autographed copy of I Can’t Believe I’m Crocheting Socks to giveaway. Leave a comment below telling me why you want to crochet socks by 10 pm EST, March 14th. I’ll randomly choose a winner and announce it here the next day.

CONGRATS TO WINNER RACHEL MILLER!