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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!
I have been crocheting for over 20 years and have never been able to find a crocheted sock pattern that works. My husband keeps bugging me to make him some wool socks, but I have yet to find a good pattern. Sounds like this book may be the one to try out.
I live in MN it’s almost always cold here, and my toes are always freezing, I tried to make slipper/socks once a few years ago, I was still new at crocheting, but now I think I could do this…better. Please enter me to win, Thanks!
I would luuuuvvvvvv to be able to make socks as giftys for my family and friends, but I get lost too. This book would be a Tremendous help! Thanks!!!
I can’t even find wool socks to buy – and would love to be able to make my own! Have you seen the sock wool colors? There are incredible sock yarns available now and I will have this book at some point! Thank you for the chance to win it.
This is one thing I haven’t tried and have really really been wanting to try. I love socks and to be able to crochet me own….oh what joy! I’m a better crocheter than a knitter!
Thanks for the review. I am a long time crocheter and having 4 needles in my hands is NOT an option! I love to crochet socks and having more and nicer patterns is always a good thing. I can’t wait to see the book. Thanks, Cathy
I have been waiting for this book to come out, it would be awesome to win a copy!
I tried learning to crochet socks when I first started crocheting but I just didn’t have the skill to read the patterns and work with such small yarn and hooks yet. Now that I’m a better crocheter I would love to try again. Pus this book’s blog tour has totally made me want the book!
The only thing I have made out of sock yarn are scarfs. How great to finally be able to make socks with them!
I have never crocheted socks. Some people say they don’t want to. But I would love to.
urbanviolet(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love using sock yarn; it is so versatile! However, I haven’t figured out how to make socks with it yet. I would love to make some socks for my husband of the size-15 feet, as well as pretty socks for my own use. I have quite a stash of sock yarn that would be fun to put to its intended use.
I would really love to be able to crochet socks but where i live you cant get any books this would make my day. I love to crochet. I donate alot of my stuff to foster kids and christmas baskets.
I haven’t tried socks yet, just haven’t gotten up my mojo to dive in, but I defnitely will give it a go if I win the book–thanks for the giveaway!
I want to crochet socks because I just learned how to knit socks and I want to show that crochet socks can look just as good as knit socks! My goal is to knit a pair and then crochet a pair in the same yarn and same colorway so we can compare! This book would help out a lot 🙂
I want to crochet socks!!! This is a great giveaway and I love KRW’s designs. I love that crochet socks are getting some real cred and i have plenty of people in my life who need a good pair of crocheted socks.My sock yarn stash will thank you, it’s a little out of control ;). Happy Crocheting!!!
At last! Someone with real exrtpeise gives us the answer. Thanks!