by Nancy Bush
$21.89 CDN
$21.95 US
112 pgs, , b&w/colour photos, softcover
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Category: knitting books

When you purchase any 3 of this series on one order, the 3rd book is 30% off the price! To order, visit the Special Savings info page

In the Author's Words....
" I agree with Sir Walter Scott who said ' the character of a nation is not to be learnt from its fine folks". The true character of the humble sock comes from the knitters who worked by the light of a peat fire, who knit as they walked down country lanes or across fields, who dreamed up lovely coloured patterns and decorated their simple finery with knitted stitches that twisted, turned, took on the pattern of stars, crowns, birds and flowers." (pg 6)

Folk Socks
An informative and fascinating book, Folk Socks traces the origins of the 'humble sock' through its historic role in literature, language and customs. Drawing on history and traditional pattterns, Nancy Bush has created 18 designs for sock enthusiasts to knit and learn from.

From the earliest reference to 'sock-like' apparel in the 8th century BC , to cloth socks worn in Roman times, up to the elaborate silk knitted stockings worn in Europe in the 16th century - the history and evolution of the sock over a period of 2,500 years is told in detail. When fashion and the aristocracy elevated the position of the 'humble sock' to fashion statement, the demand created the handknitted sock industry in Great Britain - an industry which spanned 3 centuries and employed many peasant labourers. The traditions and designs of knitted socks in Europe are also described; the role of socks in wedding customs; and the varying materials and traditional colours used.

A detail section on techniques gives instructions for a variety of methods for: casting on, knitting the heel and shaping the gusset and toe. The instructions for heel shaping include the 'Balbriggan Heel" , The "Half-Hankerchief Heel", and the "Dutch Heel", and the toe shaping instructions include several variations of the "Wedge Toe", as well as the "Round Toe" and the "Star Toe".

The section of knitting patterns includes a variety of beautiful and colourful socks, many of them accompanied with a photograph of the historical piece that inspired them. There are inspring colour photographs of each sock design and include socks with "clocks" (a decorative pattern often used around the ankle, or the back leg), a Latvian lace pattern, a 3-colour patterned Norwegian design and many more.

This is a book that delights the eye and hand of the knitter and the feet of those fortunate to receive a pair of handknitted socks.

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