“Custom Socks” book giveaway

CS Cover Mech.inddAs you may have seen in the Cool Stuff column, our own Kate has written a book.

Kate got her start at Knitty writing about socks, and as our sock technical editor. She’s measured a lot of feet. She knits a lot of socks. She’s edited a lot of sock patterns. She’s designed a lot of socks. She teaches a lot of sock classes.

And this book is the culmination of all that work. It brings together all her knowledge about socks and sock knitting and sock designing.

In her own words…

I’ve taken my Plain and Simple Sock patterns – both Top Down and Toe Up versions – and created a book all about how to make them actually fit your feet.

I’ve provided the basic formulas and templates for both directions, and created the numbers for you for gauges from 4 to 9 sts/inch (including the important 6.5 and 7.5!), for finished socks from 5 to 10.5 inches in circumference. That’s covering feet from 5.5 to 12 inches in circumference, and pretty much any possible yarn you might ever want to use. Oh yeah, and I’ve got tables of foot sizes by shoe size if you can’t measure the feet you’re knitting for. And a table of yarn requirements by gauge and foot size, for when you’re stash-diving.

And then. THEN. I’ve given you a ton of info on how to measure your feet properly to determine your fit needs, and how to customize the socks for those needs.

Oh yeah, and there’s some fancy patterns, too. Texture stitches, cables, lace, colourwork. All sorts of socks for every knitting mood and every style whim!

Custom Socks - The Basic Ribbed Sock beauty image - Copy
Nice comforting ribs, very wearable.
Custom Socks - The Carpita Sock beauty image - Copy
Easy colorwork! Really
Custom Socks - The Man of Aran Sock beauty image - Copy
Inspired by a favorite aran sweater from childhood.
Custom Socks - The Oh, Valencia! Sock beauty image - Copy
Estonian lace.
Custom Socks_v1_actualbook_Page_065 - Copy
Secrets & Lies – Cables and Lace, for days when you can’t deicde what you want to knit.
Custom Socks_v1_actualbook_Page_179 - Copy
The Fitzcarraldo Knee Sock.

The book also has all my sock knitting tips and advice and wisdom from nearly 20 years of sock knitting, and 10 years of teaching sock knitting. Trouble with joining the round? Plagued with ladders? Struggling with needles? Uncertain about gauge? Holes at the tops of the heels? Holes elsewhere? Legs fall down? Ten years’ worth of questions from my sock classes questions.

And if you’re looking to design socks, it’s a great reference, too, providing lots of info about how to add pattern stitches into socks and create your own gorgeous Custom Fit socks.

And we’re proud of it – and her! Order it from your LYS, your fave indie bookstore, or online.

Of course, thanks to F&W Media/Interweave Press, we do have a copy to give away, too. The usual rules apply – leave a comment below by midnight EST Tuesday September 8th to enter. If you’ve won one of our giveaways in the past year, please give someone else a chance.

(524 Posts)

333 thoughts on ““Custom Socks” book giveaway”

  1. Valerie

    A chart for shoe size to sock size?!? Yes, please. It’s very hard to surprise someone with a gift of handmade socks when you have to pin them down and measure their feet.

  5. Sam

    I love knitting socks, so I’ve had this book on my wishlist since I first heard about it. And those Fitzcarraldo socks are amazing!

  6. Roz

    Some of my socks do fall down. Clearly I need to win or buy this book. Some of those socks are very pretty too.

  10. Candace Smith

    Love, love, love knitting socks and I am always looking for new tips, techniques and advice for improving my sock knitting. Love the designs in this book¡

  11. Rachael H.

    Oooh, this looks lovely! My best friend is an avid sock knitter and I’m sure she’ll love this book.

  16. CharlotB

    Would love to see her techniques. The clocks/pattern on the back of the Fitzcarraldo socks are intriguing.

  19. Sarah

    I have some custom feet, high arch and instep, so I am always clumsily trying to modify socks. This book sounds great!

  20. Susie in Minnesota

    Goodness! I usually avoid sock patterns and stick to relatively plain socks that fit the two pairs of feet I knit for. But the patterns shown here (that colorwork! The cabled knee-high!) have me seriously thinking it is time to spice up my sock knitting life!

  21. Nancy Gossett

    Oh my, those are gorgeous socks, just the ones in the blog post alone are enough to make me want the book! Beautiful work.

  27. Michelle

    OOOOOH TABLES!! I love me some tables. And some lovely patterns as well! Usually I’m not to fond of the patterns that go along with these sorts of books, but all of those look quite pretty and practical!!

  28. Megan

    Socks!! I’ve loved socks since before I started knitting. Learned to knit them and I’m totally obsessed. Cannot wait to get this book!

  30. Niki

    Looks like a great book! I can always use extra help in sizing socks. Wonderful to be able to knit in different yarns and gauges also.

  32. Martie

    That pair of knee socks is dreamy! I am hooked on knee socks right now. I just wish they didn’t take so long to knit.

  35. Irene

    This book will become one of the crown jewels in anyone’s library. Can’t wait to read it and start to practice some new tricks

  37. Sarah

    This book looks amazing. It’s on I’ll definitely be adding to my library soon! Thanks for the chance to win!

  40. Katy Chambers

    This is so great, and inspiring! Thank you, Kate, for sharing your knowledge to help us improve our sock knitting practices. What a beautiful book!

  44. Anji

    I have some lovely sock patterns, but they’re all size M-L. My feet are small, and my attempts at resizing the patterns have been less than satisfying. Finally someone has written the exact book that I need!

  51. Lauren

    Very cool! I love books with the technical elements mapped out to allow me to customize my knits. Looks like a good read!

  52. Bobbie

    That looks incredibly good!
    I never realised how particular I was about my socks until I started knitting my own. As it is, I’m still pretty uncertain if I’m “doing it right” and what I can do to improve and this looks like an excellent resource of ideas.

  54. Teri Warner

    One of my favorite things to knit are socks. The nice part is you can never have enough socks so it makes a great gift. I would love to learn her techniques for things that plague my socks.

  59. Jan

    I downloaded your sock class from Interweave as soon as it was released earlier this summer. I have watched it several times and would absolutely love a copy of your book.

  61. Lee Ann

    I love knitting socks! This book looks like a great combo of technical information and creative patterns.

  65. Emme

    I’ve knit so many socks this summer, and love improving my technique with each one. I’m accepting all the resources i can get!

  66. AnitaF

    This looks like a terrific book. Thanks for another giveaway. I doubt I’ll win, but someone is going to be very happy.

  71. Claudia

    Oh wow! I was thinking about ordering this book this morning, guess I’ll wait to see if you draw my name out of the hat 🙂 It looks like an outstanding resource to have.

  75. aliceq

    I remember the original survey on foot dimensions. I’m glad to see that the project led to a book that looks like it would be very useful.

  76. Jenna MW

    I’m excited to get my hands on this book! I’m recently getting some more knitting time after having baby #2 and socks are the things I missed knitting the most!

  84. Robin K.

    I love knitting socks, data and technical details. It’s like Kate Atherley read my mind when she wrote this book. This is definitely on my to buy list.

  86. Josiane

    Congratulations, Kate! Your book sounds like an amazing resource – at once a terrific reference book, and filled with lovely patterns. All this information would be so empowering! My sock knitting would hugely benefit from it.
    Thank you for offering us a chance at winning a copy and, most importantly, for writing up such a thorough description. Not only does it give us a good overview of the book, but we also got a taste of how well-written and through your book must be. Now, thanks to your description here, I know it has to go on my list of books I need to buy.

  88. Cheryl J

    I would absolutely love to win this book. I’m just about to learn how to knit socks so this would be very helpful.

  89. Kylie C

    I have been seeing great reviews for this book and it’s on my Christmas list! Thank you for the chance to win.

  91. Andrea

    I haven’t knit any socks in a while. It would be fun to be inspired by the beautiful patterns in this book. Thank you for the giveaway.

  93. Jennifer B

    I’ve been knitting a lot of socks lately, and this book looks like a great way to improve the finished product.

  94. Melanie Spatgen

    As a person with perpetually swollen feet and ankles, I am so excited to read this book. My head hurts from trying to figure out the math by myself lol.

  95. Chris Mac

    i love socks and I love reading Kate’s blog, but we are saving desperately for a home of our own so all I can do is keep reading and hoping that I will be lucky.

  97. Mary Alyce Heaton

    I think I need this book. My own feet and short and wide; my son’s feet are long and skinny; my daughter’s feet are in the middle. But they will never stay still long enough to get measured! Maybe with this book I can measure once and be done.

  98. Rebecca

    Wow! What a great offer. I was just reading about the book again on Kate’s blog. I would LOVE to make socks that fit!!
    (Thanks, Kate, for all your years of work on this.)

  100. Jan

    Ooh, this is going on my wishlist! Thanks for the contest, and a chance to win a book I really, really want!

  102. Kate S

    Oh man! That’s the main thing which has kept me from really starting into socks: fear that they won’t fit right even if I get gauge and pick the best size, since I’ve a narrow heel but wide across my toes. There are so many socks I want to make, but I’ve no confidence in spending the time and having them fit right.

  106. Ina

    This is the sock book I’ve been waiting for! So, pick me, pick me, please! I have so many sock books (my favorite thing to knit) you’d think I wouldn’t want more, but man – this looks to be THE ultimate book on socks. Swoon!

  109. Mia Karnatz

    Congratulations on the book release! I love knitting socks and this looks like an amazing resource.

  113. Stacey D

    Oh wow! I’d love this book! Then maybe I can knit socks for my husband who has extremely narrow feet, and even narrower heels – I’ve tried several times and still can’t get the sizing right for him.

  114. Marsha

    This looks like just what I need to go beyond the plain-stockinette-with-a-ribbed-cuff socks I’ve been making since I started knitting!

  115. Gina (MissGKints)

    The patterns are lovely! I’m still trying to find the “perfect” sock pattern for my feet. I think this book can help.

  122. Jen Kubeck

    What a wonderful book! I have long wanted to make knee socks that fit my extra plump calves – this might just be the guide I need!

  129. Becky

    I think this would be great incentive to try sock knitting. I’ve been hoarding a couple balls of wool-free sock yarn, but have been reluctant to waste them on socks that might not fit my extra wide feet.

  133. Laura P.

    I dream of custom fit socks. With great designs and fab yarn, my socks still weren’t perfect. Now I can achieve my dream, couture socks!

  135. Lesley Barnewall

    Yes please…I have been on the edge for a long time…should I knit some socks? I can’t promise but ”Çustom Socks” may just do it for me.

  140. Alison

    Socks are my absolute favourite thing to knit, so this book would be a great addition to my knitting library.

  156. Chris

    Looks like a great book. I have to adjust nearly all the socks I knit to fit me, and hints in this book may be just what I need.

  158. Kate

    Gorgeous patterns! One sock issue I always have is finishing the Kitchner stitch on top-down socks: how do I end it? There’s always a little ear sticking out. (One of many reasons I prefer toe-up.)

  160. Lisa Barrett

    Awesome! I really enjoy learning new techniques, hints, etc. and I’ve no doubt this book would be full of that. Goodness knows it would be wonderful to knit a sock once instead of starting over when I’m halfway done and realize the fit is off. Thanks for the giveaway 🙂

  164. Holly

    ooh! This looks amazing! I could definitely have used some of these tips in the last couple months as I struggled through some difficult socks.

  166. Chris

    This is a fabulous book and I need a second copy because mine has been “borrowed” by a friend?. So if I win this book then I won’t have to make her give me back my copy.

  168. Charissa

    Always looking for ways to make my socks fit better! I’ve only been knitting socks for 8 years, so I feel I’m a novice compared to Kate’s 20! Thanks to her for providing another resource for great fitting socks.

  174. Beth Rudowske

    Love to knit socks, but would love even more making them fit better. I could really use this book.

  176. MzTallulah

    I love knitting socks toe-up and two at a time, so I’m thrilled that Kate also gives instructions for the toe-up method! Thank you for the giveaway.

  177. Lise

    I have been looking for the perfect sock book to help me get into sock knitting, and this looks like the one!

  178. Kairi

    Socks are one of my favourite things to knit, and this book looks like an excellent source of both inspiration and knowledge. Oh, and beautiful patterns as well 🙂

  179. Sofia

    I have decided to re-uptake sock knitting this autumn, so winning this book would be perfect for inspiring me and taking my sock knitting to the next level. 🙂

  181. Carrie

    I love making socks and the idea of customizing the sock for the wearer is brilliant and useful. Would love to have this book!

  185. byneedleandthread

    This book sounds great! I’d love to learn how to accommodate my high instep on a toe up sock! Thanks for the chance to win!

  186. Stacy Mates

    I knit my first socks last winter and loved them – would love to have a good reference for doing more!

  194. EVA LANDEO

    All things by Kate Atherly are great. These socks are clearly no exception! I love the Fitzcarraldo socks (though I really really did not enjoy the movie.)

  201. Charlotte Rutland

    I always have at least one pair of socks on my needles all the time. And it’s not always the same pair!

  203. Dorothy

    The variety of sock designs in the book is amazing! I would love to learn how to get a better fit in my socks!!

  212. Emily

    Amazing giveaway – awesome book! I will probably be requesting this for my birthday, as socks are my favorite thing to keep on the needles!

  215. Liz Morgan

    Being a fan of Adam Hills, I’ve realised that he’d be the *perfect* person to knit customised socks for. If anybody’s going to benefit from hand knitted socks, it’s going to be somebody with two very different feet! And I’ve also signed up to a knitting retreat next year, just on the basis that Kate Atherley is doing one of the workshops.

  222. Wendy

    This book sounds great, I’ve always had trouble with the fitting of my handknit socks! I especially love the Fitzcarraldo Knee Socks.

  224. amy

    Ooh! I have to admit that I’m scared of socks, but this book looks amazing and just what I need to get over my fear. Thanks for the giveaway.

  225. Deborah Graham

    I love to knit socks, but with a very narrow foot, it is difficult for me to get them to fit properly. Looking forward to buying your book – if I don’t win! Hee hee!

  229. Karalee

    I’ve knitted a lot of socks, but I know there’s always more to learn. I’d love to win a copy of this book!

  235. Michelle Snarr

    This book sounds wonderful. Sounds like I could use the help that this book offers. I make socks out of passion. They are my favorite project.

  240. Julie

    I only started knitting socks earlier this year & this book sounds as if it would be perfect in helping to understand fit & construction in more depth.

  241. Becca

    me me me me. I’d love to win the book! I just committed to knitting 4 pair of socks by the end of November. This book would help a whole lot!

  252. Julie M

    Perfect book to add to my collection. I “need” some knee sox, like the Fitzcarraldos, for our MN winter coming right up! Hope I win :>)

  259. Ginny

    ! need to add this book to my library. It sounds like a wonderful resource and full of inspiration. Thanks for a chance to win it.

  266. Cathie Taggart

    I took a sock knitting class given by Kate. Have since made about 30 pairs.
    Would love to win the book!

  270. Rebekah Evelyn

    One can always use another pair of knitted socks, so then couldn’t one also always use another knitted sock book?

    And it looks like there are some great designs in it!

  271. Jenna-Lee Pfeifer

    Kate’s book “Beyond Knit & Purl” was my gateway to knitting. If the lovely staff at Shall We Knit hadn’t pointed me towards it when I walked in one November evening and asked “I can knit and purl – what now?!” I wouldn’t be here, happy and a knitting fantatic. It changed my life!

    Now, with the help of the self same book, I am happily knitting socks, and this newest book would bring my skill set (and FIT!) to a whole new level.

    Looking forward to browsing it!

  272. LittleRedDragon

    I’m really interested in these sock customisation ideas. I read Kate’s post about average measurements and was surprised to find that my high insteps are actually pretty average, which makes me wonder why so many sock designs won’t go past my heel – presumably most other knitters have the same problem!

  278. Jo

    Me please! I have wide feet and toes, and a high instep. I’ve not yet managed to make a knitted sock fit me properly 🙁

  279. grace

    What a great book! My knitting socks many times leave a little bit to be desired in fit. This will also help me fit others that get my knitted socks. Thanks!!!

  280. Jennifer

    So lovely! Looks like a great book for beginners and advanced; and depending on the technique, I could be either!

  288. Melissa Watts

    Just what the free spirited sock knitter needed. With this as a possibility I don’t mind the other entries where I missed. Fingers crossed.

  289. Mindy D

    Knitting socks is the next thing on my list. I have small-ish feet, so I’m really interested in learning how to customizing the patterns. Thanks for the opportunity to win a book! Pick me!

  291. Kristy

    I’ve been knitting socks recently, but I have weirdly shaped feet so this book sounds like a great resource for me! Thanks for the giveaway, Knitty.

  298. Tisha

    I knit one pair of socks in a worsted weight yarn and hated them. I need to learn a new way, this book might just do the trick!

  300. Alexandra

    Oooh, this is just what I need. If you’re going to spend the time knitting a pair of socks, then shouldn’t they fit just perfectly!

    This book would be a fabulous resource for me.

  301. Elizabeth

    I haven’t been knitting many socks recently, this book looks interesting enough to send me back to it.

  302. Mary Fran

    Yeah! Socks are my “waiting for the kids” project. Waiting for the bus, waiting at a soccer field, waiting at music lessons.

  303. Amy g

    This looks like a fabulous book to add to the library! I’m looking forward to the measuring section. Thank you!

  305. Joanne

    This looks like a fantastic book! I’ve been on a sock knitting binge for the last year or so, but mostly plain vanilla socks. Would love to have this book to help me expand my sock knitting horizons!

  310. Lynn

    I love knitting socks but I’ve had some issues with fit when knitting them for others. I tried worsted weight yarn and produced socks that looked like grocery bags for my husband. Then socks for my size 13 feet son that were too tight to get on legs. I could use the help this book would provide.

  317. CynthiaC

    I’m needing to get back on the sock knitting trail. My current socks have been patched more than once, and are staring to look tired. Plus, socks are great for office meeting knitting.

  320. Billie Rae Gillas

    The books sounds like a great resource. The menfolk in this house all have very large/wide feet. It would be helpful to have such a wonderful reference manual.

  322. Debra

    Love Kate’s socks. Would truly love to own this book so that my sock knitting adventures would not be fraught with so many disasters- too big, too small, don’t fit anyone at all.

  325. Rudi Opderbeck

    Just getting into Sock Knitting & would love a book to help out!! Thank you for the running a contest!!!

  327. Kate in VT

    Oh! My size 11 feet would be so happy if I had this book! Even though it is wicked hot here at the moment, winter is long and toes get cold…

  329. Jane Webb

    sock knitting is addicting – what better way to feed the addiction than with Kate’s book – fingers crossed!!!

  330. joyce hancock

    This sounds like a great book to have on hand. I am just figuring out sock knitting. This book would be a great help.

  331. Meredith Morphew

    Always, always, always have a pair of socks on the needles. Perfect purse project with the added bonus of getting people to ask about knitting! Good luck everyone!

  332. Donna Ochs

    Socks are one of my favorite things to knit. I like to try a lot of various techniques. Lately toe up has been my favorite method. Would love a sock knitting book!

  333. Amanda Underwood

    Thanks so much for the chance to win. This book looks really interesting and a great addition to any library.

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