Sock Joy

This has been the month for surprises in the mail. Yesterday I got my copy of The Joy of Sox by Linda Kopp, published by the friendly folks at Lark Books. What fun this book is, not to mention handy, with its spiral lie-flat format.

You’ll find my fair isle Boyfriend Socks in the collection of 30 patterns by 28 designers. I’ve got to admit I truly love my old fashioned socks, with traditional fair isle border patterns worked in a colorway that fills me with happiness – for the rib, toe and heel, a dark heathery green with glints of blue, which I countered in the center rounds, with a lovely pale, winter-sky blue. The colorway really reflects the colors of deep winter in Maine, dark pines, amber grasses, leafless branches and pale skies.

One might think given it’s title, the book would be too cute, however you’ll find cheerful instructive how-tos, sweet funny stories and useful essays like Laura Bryant’s bit on predicting patterns in hand-dyed yarns. Plus gorgeous photography by Lynne Hart, no easy task, keeping photographs of socks interesting, pretty and lively through 175 pages.

Is the Joy of Sox inspiring? Holy Mackerel! Who wants to do their own pressing secret projects when there are 29 sock patterns just begging to be knit? I may have to succumb and just knit off a quick pair of Quickie Socks by Susan Pierce Lawrence, worsted weight,  a simple broken rib pattern with an elegant, comfortable look.