Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing - The Title is Misleading
Review: I bought this book hoping to learn the traditional techniques involved in the production of the wide variety of beautiful socks from many cultures featured in tantalizing color photographs. I was deeply disappointed to find that this was not the case.The first edition had many factual errors in knitting history, of which some were corrected in subsequent editions. And Bush teaches few of the actual traditional techniques. In fact, her "reproduction" socks were all highly simplified modern inventions, based only in part on some of the colors and patterns of the original socks, but not truly involving their techniques. While many of the socks were traditionally knitted from the toe up, in every case Bush knits them from the cuff down. The photographs are just teasers that left me frustrated and unfulfilled. I finally stopped looking at her directions for her simplified socks. Instead I analyzed the socks in the photos to attempt to knit them as they were originally made. While it is a good book to learn modern sock knitting and in it Bush does cover a wide variety of techniques, it doesn't cover what its title says. If you want to knit modern socks, you may like this book. But if you're looking for the traditional knitting techniques of other cultures, Priscilla Gibson-Roberts' book "Ethnic Socks & Stockings" will actually teach you how, while Bush will not.
Rating: 
Summary: A Gotta Own
Review: I have always been paralyzed by socks. Somehow the concept of turning a heel--creating something three dimensional out of something two dimensional stumped the "I flunked algebra" side of me. Well Well Well. I was enchanted by Folk Solks, bought it--and now, thanks to the gentle encouragement, the good writing and all the history--I am a sock knitting fool. It is a charming book you want to read. The history is wonderful from the discriptions of how socks were a significant mention in Henry VIII's documentation of wardrobe, to the development of knitting and stocking making in the British Isles--it shook me to realize the garments we take for granted has had such social value in our past. For any knitter or non-knitter, this is a wonderfully written book with terrific patterns that inspire you to look at your feet
Rating:
Summary: One of my all-time Favorite Knitting Books
Review: I love this book! I'd never knit a sock before I bought it and ended up making almost every pair in it. Some were easy; some required a lot of attention; but the patterns were clearly written so that a novice could do them. They are all just beautiful. Her book "Knitting for the Road" is my second-favorite sock book.
Rating:
Summary: Instructive and Inspiring
Review: I'd knit a couple of pairs of socks before, and so far I've only used the basic sock pattern from this book; but I like the basic instructions better than any other patterns I have, and I find the other sock patterns very inspiring.
Rating:
Summary: If you can have only one sock book, buy this one!
Review: In the past few years there has been a world wide knitting explosion, with particular interest in socks -- as those of us trying to get ahold of some of the popular and out-of-stock yarns well know. Folk Socks: The History and Techniques of Handknitted Footwear, by Nancy Bush is without a doubt the book I would grab and clutch to my chest if I had to choose one sock book for the following reasons: (1) Bush does a more than adequate job of researching the history of knitting with emphasis on the evolution of footwear, (2) the photographs are all in gorgeous color, and (3) her instructions for knitting socks are excellent. She includes a basic sock with the option of trying several variations of heels and toes, and includes modern adaptions of traditional Old Worldy socks for the more adventurous. Plain color, multicolors, stripes, fingering weight, sport weight, etc. -- you are given a choice. The only criticism I have of the book is that a few of the patterns don't designate whether they are for a man or woman. If you are new to sock knitting, stick with the patterns that tell you the wearers' gender, and then try the "mystery" socks. Bush's "Folk Socks", and her second book "Estonian Socks" are instant classics and destined to become premier collectors items.
Rating:
Summary: Past to Present
Review: In using this book I found the history information very interesting for socks around the world. At the same time the book also showed current patterns for the original socks found in many countries. This book has a very wide range of patterns for the beginner to the most advanced. If you are not a knitter this book is an excellent sock history book.
Rating:
Summary: One of my all-time Favorite Knitting Books
Review: The book is beautiful, and has great history. The patterns are very interesting, but if you don't have sock experience I don't know how you'd work them. I have experience, but have never had this many problems. My first pair (light blue and white ones) had the weirdest heel. It made the sock almost completely straight, but since my foot bends at the heel, it was horribly uncomfortable. My local yarn shop couldn't understand how it would ever fit a normal foot so I rewrote the pattern and ripped back. The second pair (grey with off-white heel, toe, and top) was huge, although my guage was correct, and I had to restart that one, too. Then I did the ones on the cover, and the heel, though very interesting in concept, is way too big and forms basically a bubble jutting out from your foot (I just knitted every other row and it came out great). The last ones I did, the red cabled pair, came out very well (but cables give a sock more 'give,' so it's easier to fit them correctly). I'm tired of knitting 3 socks every time, so I'm going to be very careful about the patterns in the future. Here's what I suggest: knit a pair that fits your foot (preferably from a different book), and get the measurements of it, especially at the top and at your ankle. Then figure out the measurements of the pattern as it's written in this book, and change the pattern liberally until it is in normal human proportions. They are beautiful when you finally get them right. My feet are always the prettiest in the room!
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful stockings from the beginning of time...........
Review: This book is also one of my favorites to knit from. Each of these socks I have knit have come out perfect and each with a history lesson to boot. Impressive to those who notice them and enjoyable to wear. An impressive collection - thanks Nancy Bush for your gift to the knitters of the world =:)
Rating:
Summary: A beautiful book
Review: This book is inspiring. The photography is outstanding! The patterns are lovely.
Rating:
Summary: How This Book Changed My Life
Review: This book is really three books in one: A History of Socks, How to Knit a Sock, and Great Sock Patterns. I could knit (sort of) before this book, and I had made socks before but, truly, this book changed my life. I do Living History as a volunteer, and I use information from the history section all the time when I am talking to visitors to the event or museum. The How-To section was very clear and helped me to enhance my technical skills with respect to stockings, and knitting in general. The best part are the patterns. I focused on lace patterns, but all the patterns are beautiful, some more challenging than others. All skill levels are represented. One of the patterns I made because I thought it was very close to the kinds of stockings that would have been worn in the 1600's, and I sure was looking for something to keep my feet warm when I was doing Living History! And, indeed, I came to find out later, that pattern was almost exactly the pattern of stockings that came out of a bog burial, on the woman's feet, from early 1600's in northern England. So I started making these stockings for other Living History people. Then I started making changes to the designs and creating my own stockings. When I lost my job, I even kept food on the table for myself and my child for awhile (I don't recommend that path, however). So I have gone on to research other period stockings, and design them if there is no extant pattern. Of course, I have worn my "historical" stockings as much in modern times as I do in past times because they are comfortable and they keep my feet warm! The book is really a treasure.
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