Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarn

by Carol J. Sulcoski

Providing technical guidance as well as fun, creative patterns, this resource tackles handpainted yarns, identifying the many challenges--and many opportunities--they provide for knitting socks. Focusing on how to make the most of these much-loved yarns, it explains how to design projects with hand-dyed material versus other types of yarns, how to avoid the pitfalls of pooling and splotching, and how to combine multicolored hand paints with other types of yarns. Fresh, modern sock patterns from a variety of contributors illustrate their successful techniques, showing that with creativity and a little technical know-how, knitters can fully take advantage of these beautiful, yet sometimes tricky, yarns.

Genres: Knitting, Nonfiction, Crafts

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Tonileg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love knitting socks.
Quick simple two skein (max!) projects that are easy to carry around all my travels around the world and the security at the airport don't give me trouble with my tiny 4 inch double pointed needles like straight needles (yes, I have a story about that!).
So I after buying some random hand-painted yarn in South America and from the Alps, I was ready for some patterns that work with fun brightly colored hand-painted yarn. This is a great book if you like colorful socks. There are lots of different techniques, like I've never done socks on two circular needles which was great for traveling because there is no slippage from the DPN when my knitting bag gets tossed around on the bottom of my travel carryall.
I made the cover picture socks 'Chevvy' (page 79 in my version) which was easy and looks great, it was a easy heel with minimal counting. I have 'Spot cheek sock' (page 85) on the needles at the moment and there is a very simple pattern and will keep your feet warm with the double thread Fair-Isle pattern. Gauge: 17 sts and 22 rounds on 5cm st st on 2.25mm AND 18 sts and 18 rounds on 5cm on st st worked in patt st on 2.75mm
So far I really like the chic and original use of this type of yarn in this pattern book.
128 pages and bought used in a square medium sized paperback format

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many of the designs don't seem to accommodate the quirkiness of hand painted yarn at all.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well organized knitting book. Sulcoski explains how handpainted yarn can have a mind of it's own. There are over 20 patterns to choose from- with suggestions on what sort of handpainted may look best (bold- muted- monochromatic). I gave this book, 4 stars because I haven't tried the patterns (They seem clear- and I haven't found too much errata listed) and I've noticed many of the patterns use Koigu (KPPPM)- which I find to be one of the least "pooling" yarns- so I wonder how it will work with other yarns dyed differently?

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chevy, the sock on the cover, has a *terribly* written pattern, and I've knit, uh, a LOT of socks. Even noting the errata didn't help. Copper Penny is not; it's very good and makes an attractive sock.

The discussion at the beginning of the book is quite useful for those questioning usage of handpainted yarn and how to achieve or avoid certain effects.

[Kristine]

beautiful sock patterns and great examples of handpainted yarn. I particularly like the following patterns:
-punctuated rib socks
-whirlpool socks (nice use of beads)
-chevvy, I added this to my ravelry queue
-switcheroo socks with nice eyelets

[Kelly Gingras · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was worth reading just for the information about knitting with handpainted yarns and matching a yarn to a pattern. I'm looking forward to trying the patterns, too, as they are interesting but not too busy.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was definitely worth reading once. There are a few really good, innovative patterns, but I was rather dissapointed by most of the patterns. So, since the library has it, I don't need to buy it.

[Martine · Rating 4 out of 5]

great patterns

[Margit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haven't knit anything from it yet, but I read through it and it has good advice for choosing patterns for handpainted yarns and avoiding pooling. I'm adding a number of the patterns to my queue.

[Adelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great info about different kinds of color variegation in sock yarn.

[Sheila]

746.432 SULCOSKI

[Diana Albert · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best sock books I own.