Folk Socks: The History & Techniques of Handknitted Footwear

If you're interested in sock patterns, a nice book. If you're interested in sock techniques (how many ways *can* you turn a heel?), a nice book. If you're interested in the history of socks ... not such a great book.

I bought this book hoping to learn the traditional techniques involved in the production of the wide variety of beautiful socks from many cultures featured in tantalizing color photographs. I was deeply disappointed to find that this was not the case. And the first edition, which i have, had many factual errors in knitting history, some of which have been corrected in subsequent editions.

Bush teaches few of the actual traditional techniques represented by the lovely ethnic socks. In fact, her "reproduction" socks are all highly simplified modern inventions, based only in part on some of the colors and patterns of the original socks, but not truly involving their interesting and sometimes unique techniques.

While many of the original show more socks were traditionally knitted from the toe up, in every case Bush knits her versions from the cuff down. The photographs are just teasers that left me frustrated and unfulfilled. I finally stopped looking at her directions for her simplified socks. Instead I analyzed the socks in the photos to attempt to knit them as they were originally made.

It is a good book to learn modern sock knitting and in it Bush does cover a wide variety of techniques. For example, she teaches many sock heel techniques, and her instructions are good. But the book doesn't cover what its title says, and that was what i wanted to learn.

If you want to knit modern socks with an ethnic flair, you will probably like this book. And if you are new to sock knitting, Bush is a good teacher on the many possibilities for knitting cuff-down. But if you're looking for the traditional knitting techniques of other cultures, you won't find them in this book. Rather, Priscilla Gibson-Roberts' book "Ethnic Socks & Stockings" will actually teach you the varied techniques of folk socks from many cultures. show less

Five chapters on the history of sock knitting, primarily in Europe. One chapter of how-to with various kinds of heels and toes explained. Then 18 sock patterns for men and women, based on historic patterns. I love Nancy Bush's sock patterns because they are meticulously written, well designed, and well explained. I have found them easy to adjust for different sized feet, as well.

Folk Socks taught knitters in North America all about how to knit socks with Nancy Bush's careful instructions, charts, and illustrations. A collection of 18 sock patterns pulled from European and British traditions. There is also a chapter on essential sock knitting techniques for heel turns, toe shaping, and top ribbing for knitters of all skill levels.

I have knit most of the patterns in this book, some several times. It's a great book to come back to again and again for small projects - and I must have recouped the price of the book many times over in prize money for fair ribbons over the years.

This book started my romance with socks. I conquered my fear of 2-color knitting and knitting in the round with the Islamic socks, and used the "basic sock" instructions to write my first sock pattern. I've definitely gotten my money's worth from this title.

Nancy Bush talked me into making my first pair of socks back when she had time to run her store in Salt Lake City. This book is a great book, not just for patterns but also as a technique reference.