Folk Socks: The History & Techniques of Handknitted Footwear

Originally published in 1994, Folk Socks taught knitters in North America all about how to knit socks with Nancy Bushs careful instructions, charts, and illustrations. Folk Socks offers a collection of 18 sock patterns pulled from European and British traditions, including boot socks, Birkenstock socks, lacy stockings, kilt hose, cabled and clocked socks, and more. There is also a chapter on essential sock knitting techniques for heel turns, toe shaping, and top ribbing for knitters of all skill levels.

Folk Socks still contains the same in-depth history and the same step-by-step instruction from Nancy Bush that sock knitters have come to love and depend on. Now you can get this popular resource with updated information on new yarns as well as modifications that Nancy has learned since first writing this book.

A classic reference, now updated, this is a must-have for any sock knitter.

Nancy Bush teaches workshops for guilds, shops, and at conferences throughout the United States, Canada, and Northern Europe. She is the author of Folk Socks, Folk Knitting in Estonia, Knitting on the Road, Knitting Vintage Socks, and Knitted Lace of Estonia. Nancy lives in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Introduction

From Hide to Hose: The origins of socks

Looped Fabrics and the Legwear of Queens: The beginnings of knitting and knitted hose

Knitting in Great Britain: A way of working and a way of life

Knitting in Other European Countries: Traditions and stocking styles

Carrying on the Tradition: How to knit a sock

A Classic Sock Pattern: With some variations on heel and toe

The Patterns: Socks for all the worlds feet

Stockings with Clocks

Norwegian Stockings

Mamluke Socks

Chaussettes de Dentelle

Welsh Country Stockings

Finnish Socks

Merikes Socks

Latvian Socks

Highland Schottische Kilt Hose

Chalet Socks

Estonian Socks

Lithuanian Amber Socks

Shetland Socks

St Peter Port Stripes

Country Socks

Ukrainian Socks

Flammegarn Socks

New! Estonian-inspired Socks

Yarn Suppliers

Bibliography

Index