Would you be interested in knitting some truly spectacular socks, or possibly in learning how to knit socks if you haven’t yet acquired that skill?
If so, you just hit the sock knitting jackpot. This list will get you up to speed on my recommendations for the best sock knitting books for 2024 and beyond. Most of the books I recommend on this list are newer titles; since human feet haven’t changed much over the years, I also recommend a few older references that are worth searching out because they offer information that isn’t easy to come by anywhere else. I hope you’ll find this list useful!

1. Toe-Up 2-at-a-Time Socks by Melissa Morgan-Oakes

This is not a new sock knitting book. You will not find any of 2024’s latest trends on its pages. Nevertheless, I recommend this as being the most valuable sock knitting resource I’m aware of because it solves so many of the sock knitting problems that have stumped me, personally, as a knitter.

One of the most compelling problems I’ve encountered is “second sock syndrome”, wherein you knit one sock but get bored with the project before you have a chance to finish the second one. A close cousin to this problem: You knit the first sock, and then you knit the second sock, and somehow the two end up being such different sizes that they are either annoying or impossible to wear.

Another frequently-encountered sock knitting problem: You dive into knitting a pair of socks using leftover yarns, and you end up being just a few yards short of one of your colors, which makes your second sock look weird because you end up substituting some random yarn that sort-of matches, but isn’t a perfect match, to finish the project.

This book offers an easy, elegant solution to all the above problems. It’s simple and genius: Knit both of your socks at the same time.

Okay, great, but how do you actually do that?

That is the entire focus of this book: How to knit two socks at the same time using one circular knitting needle.

I’m here to tell you, this idea is genius!

So that’s why I’m recommending this book to you, more than a decade after its original publication. The sock patterns presented in the book are all standard, classic, wearable socks that are knitted using typical sock yarns. Some of the colorways presented in the book have been discontinued, but I don’t think that will be a problem considering the broad availability of comparable sock yarns. The graphic design in the book is fairly classic, and the book doesn’t look horribly dated to my trend-conscious eyes. But, obviously, if you’re looking for coverage of the latest sock knitting trends, you should skip buying this book and look around at the other recommendations I’ve posted below. But if you’re looking for a solid reference that covers clearly, in-depth, in detail, with photos and multiple examples, how to knit problem-free socks, step-by-step for total beginners to sock knitting, this is the all-time best sock knitting reference I would recommend taking a look at.

I’ve posted separate, detailed book reviews of most of the knitting books I recommend on this website. For whatever reason, I haven’t got around to posting a separate review of this book yet. Sorry about that. But really, this book has racked up more than 700 ratings and reviews at Amazon, so you’ll have plenty of reviews to wade through if you want additional insights from other knitters before you pay your hard-earned money for this book. Click or tap here if you’d like to find additional information about this book at Amazon.

2. Socks From Around Norway

This lovely book is part knitting pattern book, part sock knitting instruction manual and part history book.

In it, the author, Nina Granlund Sæther, explores the history of sock knitting in Norway. She shares interesting details about historic socks that she has learned from perusing various museum archives and historical society materials.

Along with the history, she also shares 41 sock knitting patterns she has created by reinterpreting the antique Norwegian socks she discovered in museum archives. Her socks are suitable projects for contemporary knitters, and at the same time, they are clearly reminiscent of their vintage inspiration pieces. The results are patterns that are both classic and timely.

This book is really a treasure. If you’re interested in sock knitting, you’ll definitely want to check it out.

Learn More About This Book:

• Click here to read our detailed book review of this title.
• Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.

3. Colorful Knit Soxx

Banish boring socks from your drawers! These 26 sock patterns will give you bunches of choices for ultra-creative, impressive socks that are suitable for either men or women. Most of the patterns in this book are patterned socks, but a few of the patterns are striped or solid-colored.

Learn More About This Book:

• Click here to check out our detailed book review of Colorful Knit Soxx.
• Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.

4.Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Knitted Socks

This book is an amazing collection of sock knitting patterns. You’ll find patterns to use for knitting socks for everyone you love. It can be extremely difficult to find clothes for premature babies — and this book includes a sock pattern for preemies, complete with 3 cute little variations that will each look different when you knit them. Then there’s a tiny, easy, beginner-level sock pattern that’s sized to fit babies. There are also sock patterns suitable for children and adults of both genders.

Learn More About Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Knitted Socks:

• Click here to find our detailed book review of this title
• Click here to shop for this book at the publisher’s website.

5. Knit Socks for Those You Love

Does anyone in your family need new socks? And are you interested in making them socks that go beyond simple, boring basics — without getting into weird, stare-at-my-feet territory? If you’re looking for normal, everyday socks in classic shapes that feature beautiful details, you cannot go wrong getting a copy of Knit Socks for Those You Love by Edie Eckman. Leisure Arts is the publisher of this book.

The book is made in the USA by an ultra-talented team that includes 8 pattern testers in addition to the author, who is a skilled tech editor herself.

Learn More About Knit Socks for Those You Love:

• Click here to check out our detailed book review of this title.
• Click or tap here to shop for this book at Amazon.

More Lovely Craft Books That Include Sock Knitting Patterns:

The following books include sock knitting patterns in addition to other types of patterns:

6. The Cable Knitter’s Guide: 50 Patterns, 25 Projects, Countless Tips and Ideas

If you’d be interested in learning how to knit socks and other sorts of projects that incorporate textured cables into the design, this is the book for you. Multiple sock knitting patterns are included in this book, along with sweater patterns, patterns for intricate cable-knitted throws, and other sorts of patterns. This book is part knitting stitch dictionary, part knitting technique book and part knitting pattern book. The book’s longer-than-average length and exceptional patterns make it an excellent buy, offering you high value in exchange for the money you spend.

Learn More About This Book:

• Click here to check out my book review of The Cable Knitter’s Guide by Denise Samson.
• Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.com.

7. Winter Knits From Scandinavia: 24 Patterns for Hats, Mittens and Socks

If you’d be interested in knitting mittens in addition to socks, this book is a fantastic choice to consider. The majority of the patterns in this book are mitten patterns, but there are three sock patterns, too.

The projects included in the book are gorgeous Scandinavian style two-color stranded knitting patterns. This is basically the same type of technique as Fair Isle knitting. To make these projects, you work in stockinette stitch, with multiple color changes per row that form interesting pattern designs.

Learn More About This Book:

• Click here to check out our detailed book review of Winter Knits From Scandinavia.
• Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.com.

These are my top picks for the sock knitting books I’ve reviewed here at Knittingcrochetcrafts.com. I’m always in search of fantastic new sock knitting books, and I update this page frequently with new reviews. Please be sure to subscribe to my knitting and crochet newsletter if you want to be alerted about even more fantastic sock knitting books as they become available.

Related Resources

• There’s a fine line between socks and slippers. If you’re interested in knitting slippers, I recommend checking out a book called Arne & Carlos Favorites, which includes multiple appealing slipper patterns in addition to other types of gift-worthy knitting projects.
• Check Out More of Our Top Picks for Excellent Knitting Books HERE.

Knitting Tools and Supplies

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

Posted By: Amy Solovay

About Your Book Reviewer — Amy Solovay is a freelance writer with a background in textile manufacturing. She learned to crochet as a small child and learned how to knit as a teenager. After earning two degrees, one of which is in textile design, she launched a career in the textile industry. She has worked as a textile print colorist, knit designer and director of design for various Los Angeles based fabric manufacturers. Later she transitioned to writing about crochet, knitting, crafts and other topics for major media outlets. She enjoys designing crochet and other craft patterns, and she invites you to make use of them.

This page was last updated on 1-16-2024.