The Sock Journal: Knit the Year in Socks

The Sock Journal: Knit the Year in Socks is an awesome book with 12 sock patterns by Catherine Wingate and edited, photographed, and pattern tested by Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer. Even as an avid knitter, I must admit that I have often found myself totally intimidated with sock patterns. I love the look of knitted socks and have the greatest respect for them, but they often look so complex, I am too afraid to try. The Sock Journal really tries to quell this fear. The book starts off with an encouraging note from Wingate and Erickson-Schweitzer and the next page walks you through the difficult parts of sock making. I appreciate that this book begins by encouraging me! Some knitting books seem to be written in some kind of enhanced knitting code that I am not smart enough to figure out and with this book, this is not the case. Wingate and Erickson-Schweitzer encourage knitters to try each pattern with their different sock and heel styles--I don't know the last time I read a pattern that encouraged me to deviate!

Not only does The Sock Journal have sock patterns, it is also a calendar. There is one pattern for each month of the year. This book can be used as a planner, calendar, or a project planner. It will pretty much work for all of your calendar needs. Each month features a sock pattern and most of the sock patterns go along with the theme of the month, i.e. hearts for February, Celtic knots for March, ect. Also, the calendar portion of the page features a detailed image of the unique stitching for each month's pattern.

My personal favorites are the "Sweet Valentine" pattern for February (the stitches make the hearts) and the "Hearth and Tree" pattern for December (which can be made into a stocking or an actual sock). I cannot wait to get started on some of these knitting projects!