| Socks à la Carte Colorwork |
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| Written by Barbara Rottman | |||
 Title: Socks à la Carte Colorwork
Author: Jonelle Raffino and Katherine Cade Date Published: September 2011 Review Date: September 8, 2011
Who is this book for? Jonelle Raffino and Katherine Cade are back with a third book in their popular Socks à la Carte series. The latest installment focuses on colorwork following the earlier books on cuff-down and toe-up techniques. Why, you might ask, would anyone want to work socks in color pattern with all the wonderful space-dyed and hand painted yarns easily accessible? The authors answer that question with an innovative collection of color patterned socks your will fingers will itch to knit. They used color to multiply design possibilities through stripes, miters and Fair Isle techniques. Adding color to any or all parts of the sock is easy using the unique flip book method that divides cuff, body, heel and foot, and toe. Colorwork guides readers through construction, knitting with color and sock design. As in their earlier books, the authors share all the tips and tricks they learned while developing the patterns. The designs are intended to be easy enough for most knitters, and with helpful guidance from the authors, nearly any knitter will be able to use the designs to create their own colorwork masterpieces.
What Yarn Does it Feature? Repeating a lesson learned in earlier books, the authors used the same colors for all the models, making it easy to visualize finished socks, especially in the flip pages section. You won’t get distracted by mismatched color combinations. In Colorwork, the authors used just three colors for all the cuff, body and foot combinations. All socks are knit using teal as the main color, green as the first contrast color and yellow as the second contrast color. The method is simple and very effective. Instead of becoming overwhelmed by a wild array of colors, readers can focus on the pattern or construction technique. Instead of being subtly predisposed to a particular heel construction because it is knit in a favorite color, knitters can evaluate which technique or style best suits their design plan. A photo gallery includes an inspirational array of 22 colorful socks that illustrate how color can be effectively used. For help with color theory or using the color wheel, readers may want to refer to one of the many books on color design for guidance working with color. All socks in Colorwork are knit to a gauge of 8 stitches per inch and all stitch counts are sized to fit a woman’s size 8 foot, the average size for North American women. The socks are knit with TOFUtsies, a sock yarn that’s 50% Superwash Wool, 25% SOYSILK brand fiber, 22.5% Cotton, and 2.5% Chitin. It is machine washable and dryable and available in both solid colors and more than ninety variegated colors. Imagine the color possibilities! What's Inside Readers of the earlier à la Carte series will recognize a familiar format: introductory chapters that discuss sock construction followed by a dictionary with patterns for the cuff, leg or body, and foot accompanied by color photographs that clearly illustrate each pattern. The last section of the book is an ingenious “flip book” that lets you mix and match cuff, leg and foot patterns. All the previous patterns are printed on one-third page cuts, and arranged in the same order as in the book. Using the flip pages, choose the cuff pattern you like best, then flip to the leg pattern that appeals, and finally to the foot section. As you turn the flip pages, the sock you have just designed will be revealed. Secure the page with the built-in elastic band so that you can refer to your constructed model as you knit. Each section is labeled with the name and page number with directions, making it a simple matter to flip back and forth. After you knit your original design, the authors invite you to send a photo to them at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Raffino and Cade include several tips and tricks about working with color and knitting socks that they picked up while testing the patterns. This popular feature of earlier books includes highly useful information that is worth noting. Look for pale blue “tip tags” where you will find advice like using a circular needle for the heel flap to prevent the stitches from jumping off short double pointed needles, or remembering to carry your yarn the same way on both socks when working in color pattern. Hand knit socks are a favorite indulgence, whether for yourself or as a much appreciated gift. Nothing fits or feels quite as good or soothing as a pair of custom fitted hand knit socks. Custom fit is possible because socks are knit to a very firm gauge, giving several rows and stitches over which to form the leg, heel and toe shaping. Another element of good fit is negative ease, or making the sock slightly smaller than your actual foot measurement so that it fits snugly. Measuring for most garments involves adding ease to allow freedom of movement, but socks should stretch to fit the foot, not buckle or sag. Consequently, the foot measurement should be reduced by 25%. Follow the brief tutorial in Colorwork describing knitting socks that fit; it will help ensure a perfect fit for every pair of socks that you knit.
Using It To get the most from using this book, follow the authors’ advice. The introductory chapter, “How this Book Works,” explains how to use the book, basic concepts about knitting in color and sock structure. Many knitters choose socks as a small project to learn colorwork techniques. This chapter explains how to read charts and techniques for working with multiple colors of yarn. The last few pages include gems of information, too. As in earlier volumes, the authors list the necessary tools for knitting socks that are in their knitting bag, and they recommend their favorite products. In addition, they list several sock knitter groups and colorwork knitting groups where you’ll find other knitters who share your particular passion. The hidden spiral binding lets the book lay flat, an important feature when you’re paging back and forth between cuff and leg stitches. The flip pages distinguish this series from all other sock books. They help you make sense of the thousands of possible combinations of stitch and construction methods in designing your own socks.
Best Pattern The authors are generous in their praise for all those who contributed to Colorwork, with sincere admiration of several designers whose works are featured on the soysilk website with links to each of the contributors’’ websites and a free Colorwork pattern download.
Recommendation Socks à la Carte Colorwork is a comprehensive guide for designing and knitting colorful socks. It is especially helpful for new sock knitters and knitters who want to try their hand at color knitting with a small project. It includes multiple options for toe, heel and cuff designs, not to mention the intriguing body patterns. Colorwork is a valuable reference for anyone who aspires to knit socks. Overall Recommendation I rate this book #9.
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