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Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2025
The patterns range from quite simple to complicated so every level of knitter will find something.The colors are pleasing and neutral enough so that is easy to imagine different colors.The only flaw is that the charted patterns don't have a stitch recorder next to them so you have do some flipping back and forth.I look forward to knit my next pair of socks from this book.
deltaD
Reviewed in Germany on February 4, 2020
Das Buch beinhaltet viele interessante Anregungen bzgl des Verstrickens insbesondere von eher dicken Garnen. Dies überraschte mich zunächst, doch muss man bedenken, dass es in Japan Regionen gibt, in denen es sehr kalt wird. Die Lieferung, obwohl aus den USA war zügig und im angekündigten Zeitrahmen. Ich erhielt es in tadellosem Zustand.
Cissa
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2019
In my first pass through this book, I have marked several sock patterns I am very eager to knit! Most of the knitted patterning- based on Japanese ones- is distinctive and quite different from the American/European ones I see often.The individual sock patterns are rated for their degree of complexity, and there's a wide range, which I appreciate. I also like the wide range of weights of yarn used in these- it's not all fingering! The weights range all the way from lace- for lovely but utterly impractical openwork lace socks- all the way through ultra-bulky for some house slippers that look easy and fast.If you're looking for a book of nifty and fresh sock patterns, this is excellent! However, if you expect it to offer any insight into Japanese culture- or even the history of knitting within it- you will be disappointed. I wish the author had included background information such as is included in articles in Piecework magazine that tell us something about both the project and the culture that inspired it, as they introduce techniques and directions.Still, I bought it for the socks and the Japanese patterning, and for those it is fabulous! And I think I have some super-bulky suitable for those quick slippers...
Margaret Foster
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 1, 2015
I have not knitted any socks from this book yet. I have given it 5 stars though because it has a wealth of new stitches to use elsewhere if you want to. The variety of socks is really broad. There are some that have a good lace pattern that can be used with shoes which is a bonus because many lace socks are too thick. To allow this the pattern ends at the ankle bone and the foot is plain. There is no lose of style though. Sock sizes can be adjusted by adjusting needle size or by relying on stretch. That is perhaps a little niggle. The sizes are a bit limited. I don't think this would be much of a problem for someone who can knit to this level anyway because repeats are given. I would say that it is not really a beginners' book. I would try plain socks to start with to get the hang of the terms and conditions of socks but once that is over with I wouldn't think there would be much trouble understanding this book's patterns. For the stitches alone the book is worth it.
Juliet
Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2015
I loved all the patterns. I have been looking for a pattern for knee sock for awhile and this book has several. They are all gorgeous! I enjoyed the different techniques that were shared. I love how the author explained the background and culture with each sock. Having been to Japan, reading more about the culture brought back many wonderful memories of my time spent there. Judy Sumner has done an excellent job of demonstrating knitting itself, is truly a universal language and expression of one surroundings. Absolutely amazing!
roebag
Reviewed in Canada on July 23, 2014
This is an interesting knitting book for those who are looking for something a little different. The techniques maybe are not geared to a beginner knitter but if you consider yourself an intermediate knitter then you should be fine to tackle most of these projects. It was helpful to me to have sketched instructions, so I could practice these new stitches, which when completed look very intricate and fabulous! I bought this book for new ideas and I wasn't disappointed.
MJ
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2013
I bought this book because many of the stitch patterns are strikingly lovely and quite different from anything I've seen. To be honest, I intend to use some of them in a lace shawl. Of course, they are perfect for making dazzling socks. The directions are good and any questions I had were explained quite clearly.So many of the reviews warn inexperienced or intermediate knitters away. Of course this isn't a "learn to knit" book, but if you make a pair of these socks with the Internet handy to help you with any questions that aren't found in the book, you won't be so inexperienced by the time you're done! Trying something beyond my level has been the only way I've really progressed in knitting.
Rocky Mountain reviewer
Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2012
I bought this on an impulse because Amazon's price had it marked down so low (below three dollars, and free prime shipping). Even though I'm an avid bargain hunter, for once I can safely say I'd have been glad to pay full price. Unusual stitch patterns and unique socks. Some are especially interesting in the patterns on the back of the leg, which differ from the main pattern on the front. Pay no attention to the grumpy review. The author never stated they were Japanese socks; just that she was inspired by Japanese stitch patterns. As I have a few Japanese knitting stitch pattern books, I am thrilled to find someone who has taken some unique stitch patterns and placed them into a sock pattern for me. And the photography is beautiful. The other reviewer is completely wrong to state that the photos were taken from the vantage point of the sock wearer - there isn't a single photo like that in the entire book.
Jennifer Jett
Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2012
These are a bit above my skill level, but they are so pretty they are worth knitting the patterns a few times to get it right. I love that these really have quite a different feel to them. They are not your average book of sock patterns. The author and designer developed these socks from Japanese knitting patterns. And they are lovely! I can't wait for my skill to catch up with my desire! And the pictures are lovely!
fairywearsboots
Reviewed in Germany on May 5, 2010
Ein schön fotographiertes Buch mit ungewöhnlichen Modellen, die vor allem Liebhaber detailreicher Muster ansprechen werden. Die Anleitungen sind übersichtlich und leicht nachzuarbeiten, notfalls gehts auch mit nur wenig Englisch, da die Muster alle grafisch aufbereitet sind. Mein einziger Vorbehalt ist, dass die Wadenzwickel bei den Kniestrümpfen teilweise etwas lieblos sind und mit den schönen Mustern nicht so recht zusammenpassen. Mit etwas Phantasie und Übung kann man dieses Problem aber leicht selber beheben. Alles in allem trotzdem ein anregendes Sockenbuch.Nebenbei: Die ausgewählten Muster stammen sämtlich aus den Strickmusterbüchern der japanischen Vogue, die unerklärlicherweise noch nicht ihren Weg in den westlichen Buchmarkt gefunden haben. Noch sind sie ein Geheimtipp und für uns bisher nur bei amazon.co.jp oder durch einen Buchversand in Hongkong zu bekommen. Allerdings habe ich auch bei deutschen Sockendesignern schon die ersten Modelle mit Japanmustern entdeckt.
Hayley Cann
Reviewed in Canada on February 4, 2010
This book contains sock (and one leg warmer) patterns and makes no apology to the beginner sock knitter. That is to say even if the patterns are well described, and well edited, you had better have a clue how to make socks in the first place.The patterns themselves are quite nice, though the focus is on the stitch patterns themselves as advertised by the sub-title "30 sock patterns inspired by japanese stitch patterns". The book contains exactly that. Mostly the sock patterns are regular socks, with beautiful yarns, and have a leg done with a pretty intricate stitch pattern. A few socks have a combination of different stitch patterns and those are very nice, but that's it.The author writes in her introduction that she fell in love with Japanese knitting stitch pattern books, and spent hours understanding the stitches and symbols. Her dedication is admirable and others can reap the results in this. (Or you could buy a bunch of Burda Knitting magazines, but hey! seems to me that's much less glamourous) The book could serve clever knitters who will reuse the stitch patterns for other types of projects.Some projects are just knock-outs on their own. The "Shiatsu" legwarmers are really a gem of design, with a shell-like border clinging coyly to the knee. And the "ikebana" socks display a gorgeous stitch pattern that is at once very feminine, natural, but complex and sophisticated. So it is a good sock book for sock knitters looking for a challenge on the needles but not to reinvent the sock structure.
GTappan
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2009
Judy Sumner doesn't claim to be an expert in Japanese knitting style; the thirty sock patterns in this book are the result of the years she spent puzzling over Japanese stitch dictionaries. While most of the designs incorporate different ways of working familiar stitches, several of the designs use techniques that will be new to most Westerners.In the first dozen or so pages of her book, Sumner explains these techniques, allowing a full page for each with large, clearly drawn illustrations. Her directions are similarly clear and she includes the names and page numbers of relevant sock patterns.This is not, however, a book for beginners. Early on, Sumner jumps right into the patterns. There are no notes for beginners, no glossary, no discussion of yarn weights, needles or basic techniques.All patterns are both charted and narrated. Roughly two thirds of the thirty patterns call for fine yarn and small needles (1-3 U.S.); the remainder recommend worsted yarn and medium needles (4-6 U.S.) with one (named Sumo!) specifying bulky yarn and size 9 needles.One thing I like in a book of knitting patterns that is missing here is a binding that will lie flat. My other criticism is that many of the socks in the photos don't seem to fit the models. Toes look bulky, heels wrinkle, and cuffs bag at the ankles. But don't be put off by the occasional mismatch of socks to foot - the socks are beautiful, and I found nothing in the patterns that would inherently produce droops and sags.I repeat: this is not a book for beginners. But for the experienced knitter in search of something new, it is excellent, with fresh designs and clear instructions.
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