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Rating: 
Summary: socks to pass down from generation to generation............
Review: Beautiful book full of socks from around the world. Different yarns-excellent directions. Great book to curl up with your yarn stash and start knitting. These projects will be passed down from generation to generation and everyone will marvel at them, truly a history lesson as well. Great book as all of hers are - thanks =:)
Rating: 
Summary: Take a Trip with Socks
Review: I borrowed this book from the library and fell in love with it! This is one I HAVE to add to my knitting library. The book is a nice hardbound with spiral binding inside to allow you to keep your book flat while using it. A very nice plus! So where did the title come from? I had assumed that it was a book writing to be able to use while traveling, but not so. There are 17 patterns that were inspired while the author traveled from country to country - using patterns or techniques relative from that country. At the beginning is a nice section on techniques and throughout are tips or addition illustrations for you to complete the featured sock. These socks are very classic looking and won't go out of style! A very nice book that will be used again and again.
Rating:
Summary: Sock-o-rama!!
Review: I love socks, I love knitting socks, this book helps to keep up
my obsession for handsewn socks!!!
Lovely patterns for beginning to experienced knitters and wonderful stories behind each socks' existence. If you like to knit socks this is the book for you! Happy Knitting,
Nanette of Fruitland, ID
Rating:
Summary: variety of patterns, never boring, clear instructions
Review: Nancy Bush has compiled sock patterns inspired by her various travelling experiences. The patterns are not based on one particular style, and this variety is pleasing. However (and this is no problem, simply an observation), Estonian traditional influence is very strong. There are uni-coloured socks, two-coloured socks, striped socks, lace socks, cabled socks...Some are knit in worsted or DK weight, others in fingering. She specifies what yarn she used for the model socks but also gives generic weights and measurements. She also brings in some new knitting techniques like the Latvian twist and some decorative Estonian braids that I'd never heard of (but later discovered them in her previous book Folk Knitting in Estonia). One of my complaints echoes that of another review: the photographs were often badly lit, and why make complex patterns in dark yarn that shows off the design very poorly? To remedy this deficiency, Interweave Press has put out some new photos (I think they're on the Interweave errata page) so you can get a better idea of how the finished socks look. I have also seen some of the multi-coloured socks done in different colourways, which are also very effective. Sometimes the sock (like the Whidby and New England patterns) has a design on its instep, but it is only photographed from the side. This means that you will have to rely on the graphs to figure out how the finished sock will look in its entirety. All in all, I like this book a lot. If nothing else, it's eye candy. I'm not sure if I'd recommend it to a truly beginning sock knitter but it will definitely inspire you.
Rating:
Summary: variety of patterns, never boring, clear instructions
Review: Nancy Bush has compiled sock patterns inspired by her various travelling experiences. The patterns are not based on one particular style, and this variety is pleasing. However (and this is no problem, simply an observation), Estonian traditional influence is very strong. There are uni-coloured socks, two-coloured socks, striped socks, lace socks, cabled socks...Some are knit in worsted or DK weight, others in fingering. She specifies what yarn she used for the model socks but also gives generic weights and measurements. She also brings in some new knitting techniques like the Latvian twist and some decorative Estonian braids that I'd never heard of (but later discovered them in her previous book Folk Knitting in Estonia). One of my complaints echoes that of another review: the photographs were often badly lit, and why make complex patterns in dark yarn that shows off the design very poorly? To remedy this deficiency, Interweave Press has put out some new photos (I think they're on the Interweave errata page) so you can get a better idea of how the finished socks look. I have also seen some of the multi-coloured socks done in different colourways, which are also very effective. Sometimes the sock (like the Whidby and New England patterns) has a design on its instep, but it is only photographed from the side. This means that you will have to rely on the graphs to figure out how the finished sock will look in its entirety. All in all, I like this book a lot. If nothing else, it's eye candy. I'm not sure if I'd recommend it to a truly beginning sock knitter but it will definitely inspire you.
Rating: 
Summary: Could have been executed better
Review: One of the reasons I knit socks is their portability. This book is easy to use on the go and sturdy enough to stand up to travel. I was particularly impressed with the chart of yarns in the front of the book. I started with the first pair and although I changed the color scheme, I have gotten many complements on the socks. The one drawback I found was that it seemed to assume a certain size sock and only after I realized that was I able to get the correct size. I see a long journey for this book as I travel this summer.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic instructions, unclear pictures
Review: This book is so good that I went from scarves straight to socks on its instructions alone! Some of the socks shown in the pictures inside were done in yarns that make it hard to see the patterns though. Beautiful socks, great instructions on finding substitute yarns, even the tricky stitches are explained clearly. I would recommend it even if you've never done decreases/increases before. It's just that good.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic instructions, unclear pictures
Review: This book is so good that I went from scarves straight to socks on its instructions alone! Some of the socks shown in the pictures inside were done in yarns that make it hard to see the patterns though. Beautiful socks, great instructions on finding substitute yarns, even the tricky stitches are explained clearly. I would recommend it even if you've never done decreases/increases before. It's just that good.
Rating:
Summary: Sock it to me, Nancy...
Review: Until this book arrived, I used to recommend Nancy Bush's "Folk Socks" as a must-have book to all aspiring sock knitters. Nancy Bush knows socks and writes excellent instructions for different kinds of heels, toes, fit, finish and folk design. Now, Nancy has written helpful knitting tips as well as some cute patterns in a ready-to-go book that is a real winner. For those of you who don't knit socks, these can be an addiction. Socks are a small, portable knitting project with many interesting design tasks (heels, toes, cuffs) that lend themselves to much creativity. And you end up with warm, comfy, custom fit footwear. ALL my socks are hand-knit because they are so wonderful to wear. There's even a sock knitter's mail list, where members exchange patterns and helpful information on techniques and materials. So whether if you fall into the "sock besotted" category, or aspire to knit socks, you won't go wrong with this book. It's specifically designed to fit into most handbags along with a sock project, has helpful tips, and is written by one of the BEST sock authorities, Nancy Bush. DON'T MISS IT!
Rating:
Summary: My new favorite!
Review: Wow, what a book! This book starts out with a discussion of knitting socks. I think the author is assuming that either the reader has already knit socks, or has a supplementary instructional book on how to do so. This is because the instructions are rather brief, although very clear and potentially inclusive of everything you might need to know to knit socks. If you're interested in learning how to knit socks, I recommend Nancy Bush's "Folk Socks", whereas I highly recommend this book for patterns.
Following the knitting instructions is a two-page table listing common sock yarns and all their information so that you may substitute yarns presented in the patterns. This is a great table and the yarns listed are indeed common and commonly used for socks.
Then there is the meat of the book - the 18 sock patterns. I was really impressed with the choice of patterns here. The socks are classic and beautiful - you won't be embarrassed to show them off! Some feature colorwork, but mainly they showcase gorgeous textures. I would say that nothing fits into the "novelty" category here - these are just classic, well-designed socks, without outrageous colors or patterns. At the same time, there are no "basic" (pattern-less) socks here either - each one is truly a work of art. The yarns used in the pattern range from sock weight to light worsted weight. Each pattern is given for only one sock size, and these sizes are mainly smaller (women's) sizes, although there are a few socks which are bigger. It seems to me that the patterns for about half of the items presented can be used for men's socks, although some of them may need to be resized because they are written for a smaller foot. These are the only two limitations of the book - all the yarns used are about the same weight, and the patterns are written for one size only.
The presentation of the patterns is great - each one is devoted several pages, starting with a huge, one-page photograph of the finished product. The instructions seem clear, and not at all hurried, and the information is organized and complete. The book is a comfortable elongated shape with a spiral binding on the inside, hardcover on the outside.
I highly recommend this book for classic, elegant, stylish, and sophisticated sock patterns. I think this book is meant for an intermediate knitter who's already had some exposure to knitting socks.
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