To me, the coolest thing I could learn to do is knit my own socks. Finally, I have started taking steps to fullfill that dream. I recently bought a book called Getting Started Knitting Socks by Ann Budd. By recently, I mean in the last week. I must say I love this book. Love it!

For some reason I had always thought that knitting socks was way above my head. Too complicated. Well, this book makes it look (and sound) so easy. I'm still not done with my first sock, but so far I have finished the cuff, which is a 2x2 rib about 2" long, the leg, the heel and most of the foot. All I need to do now is finish the last inch or so of the foot then work the toe and finish! Sounds easy, right?

Well, it's a bit more complicated than it sounds when it's put that way. But that's the great thing about that book. Ann Budd shows you, yes, with actual pictures of a sock in progress, how do EVERYTHING step-by-step.  She even includes tips on how to minimize ladders, gaps at the beginning of gussets, matching one sock to the other, etc.

Go ahead. Ask me how this book could get any better. I'll just tell you. Ann includes patterns to over half a dozen different socks. Including my favorite, stripped socks! She even included the basic formula used to calculate how many stitches you'll need to begin and examples so you can further understand how it works.

If you're interested in looking up the book yourself, you can find it at Interweave Press's website. If you want to purchase it, it can be found anywhere where books are sold.

Just remember, if you're planning on getting sucked into the art of making your own socks be sure to do a gauge! A gauge is the most important thing to do whenever you knit anything, even more so for socks! If you measure your gauge wrong or don't do a swatch at all, your socks could be too big or too small. Or both.

Enjoy everyone! I know I am!

Here are some links where Ann Budd's book has been the topic for discussion:
Knitting Daily
Knitting News Cast