Review: Knitting Knee-Highs: Sock Styles from Classic to Contemporary

In the world of sock knitting, there are many sock patterns, but few patterns for knee-high socks. If you like to knit knee socks, Knitting Knee-Highs: Sock Styles from Classic to Contemporary by Barb Brown probably has at least one pattern that will interest you.

At first glance, I wasn't very interested in the book. The first half of the book has patterns for socks with stranded color work. I'm not interested in learning stranded colorwork, especially for socks. Then I realized the second half of the book has lace and texture patterns suitable for solid, near solid or self-striping yarn.

I found the pattern for my next pair of knee socks! "Airy Mountain Knee-Highs" on page 65 looks great in the purple-y self-striping Berroco Sox that was aging in my stash. A couple more inches on the feet and they'll be done.

Knitting Knee-Highs: Sock Styles from Classic to Contemporary begins by presenting a formula for knitting knee socks based on the number of stitches in the foot of the sock. A page of information on custom fitting helps you customize the fit of any knee sock pattern.

Ironically, it appears that all the socks in the book were knit for an average leg, then modeled on extra tall, skinny-legged models. The socks all look like they'd fall down if the model walked in them!

Since many of us knit shorter socks as well as knee-highs, the information on converting a knee-high pattern to a short sock is an extra bonus. Additionally, every knee-high pattern is accompanied by instructions for making "regular" socks, anklets or leg warmers.

Knitting Knee-Highs: Sock Styles from Classic to Contemporary has 11 patterns with stranded colorwork, 8 lace and/or texture patterns and the cover socks, Dance Little Jean. Dance Little Jean has a bit of colorwork at the top of the leg and color accents the top of the heel flap and beginning of the toe. The leg features cables separated by columns of eyelets. All of the patterns feature intricate looking designs, that aren't necessarily hard to knit.

There are a lot of great knee-high sock patterns in this book. I may add it to my personal library instead of just using my public library's copy.