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I’m reviewing Knitting Brioche-Stitch Socks: 14 Easy Patterns for Tube Socks
If you’ve been wanting to try out the brioche stitch, or wanting to make socks without dealing with heel shaping, (or both) then this is the book for you!
Summary: A short and sweet booklet (48 pages) focused on making tube socks in the round using 5 double pointed needles with the brioche stitch.
What I like about this book:
- If you are a brioche stitch newbie, you can learn about how to form the stitch through a four-page section which includes step-by-step photos and instructions. If you are familiar with brioche stitch, you can follow the pattern for the basic and half brioche stitch. (I used the photos and was brioche stitching in no time!)
- Barbara includes pictures about how to arrange your stitches on the double pointed needles, which would definitely be help if you haven’t had a lot of experience with DPNs.
- Even though all of the patterns are for tube socks, there is actually quite a bit of variety. I’ll admit that I was skeptical about how knit tube socks would look, but there is photography from a variety of angles, so I feel confident that socks knit with this technique would actually look great.
- The book is very portable, since it measures 9″ x 6″, and is perfect for knitting on the go.
- There’s a wonderful sock sizing chart in the back of the book which tells you how many stitches to cast on for different yarn weights and sizes, how many stitches to keep on each needle, and how to shape the socks.
- The very same sock sizing chart doesn’t mention gauge at all. (Tip: Barbara uses the same yarns in the book’s patterns, so you can just cross reference her gauge to get started.)
- The book is entirely focused on using DPNs. Of course, you could adapt the patterns to be knit in the round using other methods, but that wouldn’t be clear to a beginner.
- The paperback binding doesn’t allow the booklet to lay flat so you can knit and read at the same time. However, there are cover flaps, so at least you can hold your place when you put the book down.
Overall rating:
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. I think it is ideal, as I mentioned, for someone who wants to learn the brioche stitch or a newbie to sock knitting. If you are very familiar with the brioche stitch or having been making socks for a while, this book is probably too simple for your needs.
I usually host a giveaway of my review copy, but I’m actually planning to keep this since it may inspire me to knit my first ever pair of socks painlessly.