Do you enjoy knitting uniquely colorful and portable small projects for yourself or your loved ones? Do you ever knit gifts for others or make charity knitting projects? Would you enjoy owning a beautiful book filled with gift ideas suitable for giving to just about every type of personality you could think of — whether you know mothers-to-be, travel enthusiasts, sailors, yachties, rockers, musicians, hunters, fishermen, wise owlish types, cat lovers, dog lovers, or just about any other type of animal lover? If so, Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Knitted Socks: 45 Distinctive Scandinavian Knitting Patterns is a book you’re going to want to take a look at.

When it comes to gift-giving, socks make ideal knitting projects. They’re small and relatively quick to knit. They can also become mini works of art if you knit them using artistic sock patterns — which is exactly what you get in this book.

What You Need to Know About This Knitting Pattern Book:

Author: Jorid Linvik


Publisher: Trafalgar Square Books


Copyright Date: This is the English language version of the book which has a copyright date of 2017.


ISBN 13: 978-1-57076-842-2


Book Format: Hardcover


Number of Pages: 191; you did notice the words “Big Book” in the title, right? They aren’t kidding; this really is a large and substantial book.

The Focus of This Book:

This book is all about giving you fun, creative and beautiful Scandinavian-style sock patterns — 45 patterns in all. The socks included in the book are all variations based on 4 different sock designs. There are socks for men, women, children and babies included in the book; you’ll have patterns suitable for knitting socks for pretty much every single person you know.

Sock Knitting Patterns Included in This Book:

The book is divided into 4 major sections, one for each of the basic sock designs. The book features subsections for each variation.

Pattern Instructions

In this section, you’ll find a pattern for easy, old-fashioned baby socks that are suitable for beginning knitters.

Mama’s Socks

This section of the book includes socks that Jorid has designed using her mother’s basic sock pattern as a starting point. She starts off by introducing several basic types of socks:

• Basic solid-colored men’s socks
• Basic women’s socks that have stripes of contrasting color at the ankles and toes.
• Basic striped children’s socks
• Basic short slipper socks with folded cuffs for men, women and children
• Preemie socks: 3 different variations of a basic pattern for tiny babies who are born prematurely

Next, you’ll find children’s sock patterns based on the basic “Mama’s sock” pattern. The socks in this subsection are 4 different sizes that will fit little feet measuring 4 1/4″ – 8 1/2″ in length. My three-year old’s feet are about 5″ long, so the smallest size of these socks is likely to fit toddlers who are perhaps 1 or 2 years old, depending on the child.

The motifs featured on the socks in this section include two-color diamonds, baby owls, baby pandas, tiger cubs, tractors and monkeys.

Next you’ll find adult-sized socks based on the basic “Mama’s sock” pattern.

There are 4 different size sock patterns in this section, all of which are intended for adult-sized feet measuring 8 3/4″ – 11 3/4″.

Patterns in this section include African-inspired abstract geometric motifs; cows; Christmas elves with reindeer and fun striped patterning; stags; flying hearts; Tallulah’s hearts; and a Viking style basketweave pattern.

The next section of the book features a different style of socks that Jorid calls “Mother-in-Law’s Socks”. This is the type of sock she learned to knit from her mother-in-law, hence the name. This design is ideal for making boot socks, because the lack of a heal decrease line means the socks are much less likely to accumulate wear holes in the heels when a couple of pairs of these socks are worn doubled-up inside boots.

The section starts off with a pattern for basic, solid-colored socks sized for men, women and children.

Next there are two different choices of patterns for cute children’s sock designs including deer fawns and ladybugs.

Following that are patterns for adult-sized designs featuring rows of diamonds; raspberries; Christmas hearts; two different designs for Nordic patterned stripes; owls; cat and mouse; penguins from the South Pole; snowflakes; and rock-and-roll motifs including a piano keyboard, guitar and skull.

The next section in the book is for thick, warm Russian socks in a variety of different designs.

There are 3 adorable designs you can make in the children’s sizes of this sock style: little cows, little rabbits and little birds.

The adult sizes of this style include pattern motifs such as geometrics, abstract shells, a Russian rose pattern, elephants dancing the tango, cats, dogs, ship ahoy, cod fish, ptarmigan birds, and Converse sneaker socks.

The Best Things About This Book

The design work in this book is truly spectacular. It is rare to see socks with such unique personality. Even better, there are socks included in the book to suit just about every fashion personality imaginable. If you’re knitting for someone whose fashion sense is extremely conservative, you can make the solid-colored socks for him or her. Otherwise, one or more of the lively patterned socks are likely to be suitable.

If you were to knit and wear any of these socks, you’d be likely to find people stealing admiring glances at your ankles and feet whenever you wear them out in public. These socks are also likely to be conversation starters; they’re unusual enough to make a fashion statement.

The photographs in this book are clear, helpful and straightforward.

Most of the socks are pictured on a plain white background without anything else that could distract your attention from them.

Some of the socks are also pictured on models, which allows you to see how they fit and how they complement current clothing designs.

You can safely judge this book by its cover. The front cover design is gorgeous, honest and totally straightforward, with nothing misleading about it. The cover art gives you a look at 12 of the 45 patterns that are included in the book. The back cover shows you several more pictures of the sock designs featured in the book. All the cover photos are of socks that are actually included in the book.

The book is attractive and appealing overall. It is laid out logically. The fonts used are clear and readable; they’re also classic in appearance, and will not soon be outdated.

The design of this book is as timeless as it could possibly be. Fast forward 10+ years and I’m guessing this book and all its projects will still look completely current; this characteristic makes it an outstanding investment for your knitting library.

The book also looks durable; it’s a hardcover that looks as if it will stand up well to heavy use. The paper the book is printed on is substantial and high quality.

I haven’t yet tested any of the patterns in this book; however, I’ve read through the instructions several times, and would feel confident to begin working on any of the projects. The designs are all charted out, making the instructions clear and intuitive to work from. The charts are visually appealing and laid out well, with plenty of white space in between.

If you already own a copy of Jorid Linvik’s book on knitted mittens, this new book on socks is going to be a must-have addition to your knitting library. Many (but not all) of the sock patterns are exact matches for the mitten patterns included in the book about mittens — so if you have both books, you can make many coordinating sets of mittens and socks for yourself or the loved ones on your gift list. Some examples:

• The adult-sized cat socks in this book match the adult-sized cat mittens in Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Knitted Mittens.
• The adult-sized dog socks in this book match the adult-sized dog mittens in Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Knitted Mittens.
• The adult-sized cat and mouse socks in this book match the adult-sized cat and mouse mittens in Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Knitted Mittens.
• The adult-sized owl socks in this book match the adult-sized owl mittens in Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Knitted Mittens.
• The adult-sized South Pole socks in this book match the adult-sized South Pole mittens in Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Knitted Mittens.
• The adult-sized Tallulah’s Heart socks in this book complement the adult-sized Tallulah’s heart mittens in Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Knitted Mittens.
• The adult-sized Flying Heart socks in this book match the adult-sized Flying heart mittens in Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Knitted Mittens.
• The adult-sized Christmas Hearts socks in this book match the adult-sized Christmas Hearts mittens in Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Knitted Mittens.
• The adult-sized Ptarmigan socks in this book match the adult-sized Ptarmigan mittens in Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Knitted Mittens.
• The adult-sized Ship Ahoy socks in this book match the adult-sized Ship Ahoy mittens in Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Knitted Mittens.
• The adult-sized Let’s Rock socks in this book match the adult-sized Let’s Rock mittens in Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Knitted Mittens.
• The adult-sized Cows socks in this book match the adult-sized Cow mittens in Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Knitted Mittens.
• The adult-sized Tango Elephants socks in this book match the adult-sized Cow mittens in Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Knitted Mittens.
• The child-sized little cow fawn socks in this book complement the child-sized Calf mittens in Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Knitted Mittens.
• The child-sized little deer fawn socks in this book match the child-sized Roe Deer Fawn mittens in Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Knitted Mittens.
• The child-sized little bird socks in this book match the child-sized little bird mittens in Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Knitted Mittens.
• The child-sized little rabbit socks in this book match the child-sized little rabbit mittens in Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Knitted Mittens.
• The child-sized Tiger Cubs socks in this book match the child-sized Tiger Cub mittens in Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Knitted Mittens.

Conclusion

This is a lovely book, and I’m delighted to recommend it to other knitting enthusiasts. Seasoned sock knitting enthusiasts will find plenty of new and inspiring material to work from in this volume.

If you don’t already know how to knit socks, you’ll find this book to be a fantastic introduction to the topic. Start with the easy, beginner-friendly baby socks. After that, try knitting a pair of solid, basic socks. Once you’ve finished making those two projects, it’ll be much easier to succeed with knitting a pair of the more colorful, playful patterned socks.

Overall, this is a fantastic book with lovely charts, interesting patterns to work on and loads of personality.

Where to Buy Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Knitted Socks:

• Click or tap here to shop for this book at Amazon.
• Click here to shop for this book at the publisher’s website.

Find More Knitting Books by Jorid Linvik

Jorid Linvik is a prolific knitting pattern designer, and she has written several other excellent pattern books. Check ’em out:

• Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Christmas Knits: Knitting Patterns for the Holidays
• Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Knitted Mittens

Find More Sock Knitting Patterns

• If you enjoy Scandinavian-style sock knitting patterns, Socks From Around Norway is another fantastic book to consider adding to your library. It features a lovely and OUTSTANDING mix of patterned and solid-colored socks.
• Colorful Knit Soxx features 26 patterns for knitting chic, sophisticated patterned socks suitable for both men and women. Some of the sock designs are suitable for wearing to the office, and others would pair beautifully with your casual clothing.
• The Cable Knitter’s Guide by Denise Sampson features multiple creative and artistic cabled sock patterns. It also includes a broad variety of other types of projects. This is one of my favorite knitting books; definitely check it out!
• I just reviewed Knit Socks for Those You Love by Edie Eckman. It’s a great book! If you’re looking for a much smaller pattern collection that includes more solid-colored knitting patterns featuring lace and textured details, that book is definitely worth taking a look at.
• Click or tap here to find more of my picks for the best sock knitting books.

Find More Knitting Books and Related Resources

If you enjoy color knitting, you may wish to check out Easy Fair Isle Knitting and Knit Yourself In, both of which include fantastic color knitting patterns.

Click here to check our our main directory of excellent and highly recommended knitting books.

If you enjoy crocheting, you’ll want to check out this list of brand new crochet pattern books at knittingcrochetcrafts.com.

You might also enjoy this page of winter knitting and crochet patterns.

Knitting Tools and Supplies

• A Beginner’s Guide to Knitting Needles
• Yarn for Knitting and Crochet

Posted By: Amy Solovay

This page was last updated on 8-5-2023.